When compiling a list of the best players competing at the World Cup over the next four weeks, you must first acknowledge that one of the finest players, if not the finest, in the world will skip the tournament.
Norway's Ada Hegerberg is not injured; she is taking a stand against what she believes is unfair treatment of the women's program by the Norwegian soccer federation. Her supreme scoring power will be missed: the 23-year-old striker has 130 goals in five seasons for European champion Olympique Lyonnais to go with 38 goals in 66 appearances for her country.
Ada Hegerberg is sitting out the World Cup.Credit:AP
Despite her absence, the 24-team field offers a large collection of skilled, nuanced and entertaining players who have helped raise the quality of women's soccer around the globe.
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Marta, Brazil
Position: Forward
Age: 33
Club: Orlando Pride
She is considered the greatest female player in history, a six-time world player of the year and four-time runner-up with more than 100 goals for Brazil. Her feet are magic – creative tools that mesmerise audiences. Entering her fifth World Cup, all she lacks is a major title after finishing second at a World Cup and two Olympics.
Brazil's veteran Marta, left, pictured with Australia's Heather Garriock during the 2007 World Cup.Credit:AP
Alex Morgan, United States
Position: Forward
Age: 29
Club: Orlando Pride
When weighed against the best attackers in US history, Morgan does not have Mia Hamm's explosiveness or Abby Wambach's aerial supremacy and strength, but with speed, grace, intelligence and a fine finishing touch, Morgan has joined elite company. Between 2016 and 2018, she recorded 42 goals in 54 US appearances.
Christine Sinclair, Canada
Position: Forward
Age: 35 (36 on June 12)
Club: Portland Thorns
Three goals short of Abby Wambach's world record of 184, Sinclair is poised to set the mark before the group stage is complete. The Canadian captain has featured for the national team since she was 16 and, beyond her scoring exploits, she is the program's all-time leader in appearances and assists.
Sam Kerr, Australia
Position: Forward
Age: 25
Club: Chicago Red Stars
Since the US Women's Soccer League launched in 2013, no one has scored more goals (65) than Kerr. This season, before reporting to World Cup training camp, she posted six goals in six matches. The previous two campaigns featured 33 goals and the 2017 MVP trophy.
Australia's Sam Kerr.Credit:Louise Kennerley
Vivianne Miedema, Netherlands
Position: Forward
Age: 22
Club: Arsenal
Despite her age, Miedema is on the cusp of becoming the top scorer in Dutch history. She averages about three goals per four matches, an exceptional rate. At the 2017 Euro Championship, she scored in the quarter-final against Sweden, again in the semi-final against England, and twice in the championship victory over Denmark.
French star Eugenie Le Sommer.Credit:AP
Eugenie Le Sommer, France
Position: Forward
Age: 30
Club: Olympique Lyonnais
Lyonnais' extraordinary run of success (13 straight league titles, four consecutive European crowns) is largely attributed to Le Sommer, who has averaged 18 goals over nine seasons. With the national team last year, she scored in seven consecutive matches (nine goals overall) as France built momentum for the World Cup.
Dzsenifer Marozsan, Germany
Position: Midfielder
Age: 27
Club: Olympique Lyonnais
The Hungarian-born playmaker is back in fine form after recovering from a career-threatening lung embolism last summer. She returned in the fallRead More – Source
When compiling a list of the best players competing at the World Cup over the next four weeks, you must first acknowledge that one of the finest players, if not the finest, in the world will skip the tournament.
Norway's Ada Hegerberg is not injured; she is taking a stand against what she believes is unfair treatment of the women's program by the Norwegian soccer federation. Her supreme scoring power will be missed: the 23-year-old striker has 130 goals in five seasons for European champion Olympique Lyonnais to go with 38 goals in 66 appearances for her country.
Ada Hegerberg is sitting out the World Cup.Credit:AP
Despite her absence, the 24-team field offers a large collection of skilled, nuanced and entertaining players who have helped raise the quality of women's soccer around the globe.
Advertisement
Marta, Brazil
Position: Forward
Age: 33
Club: Orlando Pride
She is considered the greatest female player in history, a six-time world player of the year and four-time runner-up with more than 100 goals for Brazil. Her feet are magic – creative tools that mesmerise audiences. Entering her fifth World Cup, all she lacks is a major title after finishing second at a World Cup and two Olympics.
Brazil's veteran Marta, left, pictured with Australia's Heather Garriock during the 2007 World Cup.Credit:AP
Alex Morgan, United States
Position: Forward
Age: 29
Club: Orlando Pride
When weighed against the best attackers in US history, Morgan does not have Mia Hamm's explosiveness or Abby Wambach's aerial supremacy and strength, but with speed, grace, intelligence and a fine finishing touch, Morgan has joined elite company. Between 2016 and 2018, she recorded 42 goals in 54 US appearances.
Christine Sinclair, Canada
Position: Forward
Age: 35 (36 on June 12)
Club: Portland Thorns
Three goals short of Abby Wambach's world record of 184, Sinclair is poised to set the mark before the group stage is complete. The Canadian captain has featured for the national team since she was 16 and, beyond her scoring exploits, she is the program's all-time leader in appearances and assists.
Sam Kerr, Australia
Position: Forward
Age: 25
Club: Chicago Red Stars
Since the US Women's Soccer League launched in 2013, no one has scored more goals (65) than Kerr. This season, before reporting to World Cup training camp, she posted six goals in six matches. The previous two campaigns featured 33 goals and the 2017 MVP trophy.
Australia's Sam Kerr.Credit:Louise Kennerley
Vivianne Miedema, Netherlands
Position: Forward
Age: 22
Club: Arsenal
Despite her age, Miedema is on the cusp of becoming the top scorer in Dutch history. She averages about three goals per four matches, an exceptional rate. At the 2017 Euro Championship, she scored in the quarter-final against Sweden, again in the semi-final against England, and twice in the championship victory over Denmark.
French star Eugenie Le Sommer.Credit:AP
Eugenie Le Sommer, France
Position: Forward
Age: 30
Club: Olympique Lyonnais
Lyonnais' extraordinary run of success (13 straight league titles, four consecutive European crowns) is largely attributed to Le Sommer, who has averaged 18 goals over nine seasons. With the national team last year, she scored in seven consecutive matches (nine goals overall) as France built momentum for the World Cup.
Dzsenifer Marozsan, Germany
Position: Midfielder
Age: 27
Club: Olympique Lyonnais
The Hungarian-born playmaker is back in fine form after recovering from a career-threatening lung embolism last summer. She returned in the fallRead More – Source
