Kerr, Bonmati, Smith and Co.: These will be the stars of the World Cup

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Sam Kerr (29), Australia, Chelsea

The forward is the superstar of the co-hosts and carries the hopes of an entire nation on her shoulders. Fremantle-raised Kerr is in the form of her life and has led Chelsea to their fourth consecutive league title. “I want the Matildas to have a Cathy Freeman moment,” Kerr told Sky, referring to the 2000 Olympic gold medalist in the 400m in Sydney. Kerr is the first female soccer player to appear on the cover of the global version of the FIFA video game.

Asisat Oshoala (28), Nigeria, FC Barcelona

With 20 goals in 19 games, Oshoala played an important role in FC Barcelona’s national title. She scored four goals on her way to the Champions League title. The striker with the short and always different colored hair is considered the best player in Africa thanks to her mobility and speed and was the first African woman to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or. She is also a role model off the field, setting up a foundation and an academy for girls to give them opportunities that were denied to her as a child.

Aitana Bonmati (25), Spain, FC Barcelona

She is only 1.57 m tall, but one of the tallest in the Champions League winner Barcelona. In the absence of Alexia Putellas, the midfielder was Spain’s defining figure at last year’s European Championship and this season with FC Barcelona on his way to the Champions League title. After being part of the insurgents and going on strike in the fall, she returned to the Spain team ahead of the World Cup. “When I was young, there were no female role models, so mine were men: Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta,” says Bonmati. If she also plays a good World Cup, she is a contender for the Ballon d’Or.

Lena Oberdorf (21), Germany, Wolfsburg

She is one of the greatest talents in German football. At the European Championship a year ago, the defensive midfielder was voted best young player and voted into the all-star team. Oberdorf only played for the boys until she was 16. She had to listen to statements like “Go back to the kitchen” or “Don’t let a girl dribble you”, as she revealed to the “Guardian”, who placed her fifth in the 100 best footballers in the world in 2022 . In France in 2019, Oberdorf broke Birgit Prinz’s record to become the youngest German World Cup player.

Lauren James (21), England, Chelsea

Lauren James followed the title win at the home European Championship a year ago in the final victory against Germany in a sold-out Wembley from the stands. The striker only made his debut with the Lionesses shortly after the European Championship. “She’s technically the best player I’ve ever seen. She has huge potential,” says Alisha Lehmann. James won the English league title with Chelsea for the second consecutive year. Her older brother is England international and Chelsea defender Reece James .

Sophia Smith (22), USA, Portland Thorns

In the defending champion’s team there are more famous names such as Megan Rapinoe or Alex Morgan. However, Sophie Smith was named USA Player of the Year and last season’s MVP. The 22-year-old is almost faster with the ball than without and is not afraid to dribble against two players. With ten goals, she leads the NWSL goalscoring list this season. In the league she plays in the center of the attack, in the national team more like a wing. Smith’s role models are Abby Wambach, Marta, Neymar and Lionel Messi.

Caroline Graham Hansen (28), Norway, FC Barcelona

The winger took a break with the national team after the European Championship. After a season with heart problems and almost 50 games, she felt tired, she shared on social media. In the spring she returned to the Norwegian team. With FC Barcelona she won the Champions League for the second time after 2021. “She is by far the best one-on-one player,” says Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic about her clubmate. “She has great speed and is a threat in front of goal. It is beyond me that she has never been included in a squad of the best.” At the World Cup, she can step out of the shadow of Ada Hegerberg.

Source : Blick