Women’s World Cup: Who are the top 6 Golden Ball contenders, and what do they have to do to win it?

The 2023 Women’s World Cup knock-outs are underway, and there are already some early shouts for which player will win the Golden Ball.

The Golden Ball, which was first awarded in 1991, is given to the best overall player of the tournament.

Oftentimes, it’s given to the star player on the team that wins the tournament – in 2019, it was awarded to the United States’ Megan Rapinoe.

But there have been exceptions to that precedent. Sun Wen and Marta won it in 1991 and 2007 respectively despite finishing as runner-ups with China and Brazil, respectively.

While it’s still too early to accurately predict, and there will likely be players not on this list who make a late push for the award, here are the current stand-out players and what they’ll need to do to keep their spot.

The consistent goal-scoring contributions from Japan’s Hinata Miyazawa have undeniably provided her side with a significant boost. Miyazawa, at just 23 years old, leads the race for the Golden Boot, netting an impressive tally of five goals leading up to the quarter-finals. A defender’s nightmare due to her speed, Miyazawa likes to position herself just beyond the last defender, capitalising on long passes from the midfield.

Averaging a goal every 51 minutes and only failing to net one of her six shots on target throughout the tournament, her clinical finishing can prove to be vital in tight games. If Japan make it to the semi-finals or further, which they are projected to due based on previous performances, she is surely a front-runner for the award.

Aitana Bonmati is one of the three Spanish players who made herself available for selection again after initially stepping back from international duties due to complaints about the coaching staff. She has been involved in five goals (three goals and two assists) across four matches thus far. She’s incredibly well-rounded as a midfielder, with a fantastic passing range in her locker, a fearlessness to take players on, the ability to make late runs, and an eye for goal.

Before the tournament, Spain were certainly not expected to win it, and with Bonmati success with Barcelona in the league and the Champions League this season, a bias that can certainly impact who gets the award, she is a top contender, even if Spain do not ultimately triumph.

There were so many unknowns about this French team before the tournament, but Sakina Karchaoui has made sure that she’ll be remembered for a long time. The left-back has been given full licence by Herve Renard to get forward, and she’s been instrumental in the French’s play on the flanks. Her presence pretty much eliminates any chance of the opposing team’s right winger, and right-back to venture forward, because if/when they lose the ball, they know that they’ll be burned by the pace of the 27-year-old, who has put fantastic deliveries into the box, time and time again. She’s played further forward before, and her dynamic with winger Selma Bacha means the two understand each other’s runs and play in sync.

France’s defence overall hasn’t been the most formidable, and it’s rare for defenders to pick up individual awards. France would likely need to win out if Karchaoui has any chance of picking up the Golden Ball.

Jill Roord has been a staple of the Dutch national team since her debut, with the 26-year-old already having 91 appearances to her name. She’s so pivotal to the way the Netherlands play and has netted four of their 11 goals, including the ever-so crucial goal in the1-1 draw against the US that ensured they topped the group, establishing herself as their all-time leading goal scorer in World Cup history.

On top of her offensive abilities, Roord also works tirelessly without the ball as well, and is a key player when the Netherlands are forced to defend during tough spells.

After the Dutch made the final in 2019, the new Man City signing is one of the many Dutch players that are determined to make it back there. She may be rewarded with the highest individual accolade at the World Cup if she does so.

When it was announced that Sam Kerr would be sidelined for the Matildas due to injury, it was safe to say many dismissed their chances of making a deep-run. However, numerous players have risen to the occasion, propelling the team forward to secure a spot in the quarter-finals. But Caitlin Foord is the one who has truly shone throughout the tournament thus far, demonstrating prowess in both scoring and playmaking, she has emerged as a driving force in Australia’s forward line, compensating for the absence of Kerr. While the possibility of clinching the Golden Ball remains a distant prospect, Foord still is a contender. She’ll have to sustain her exceptional performance levels and propels the Matildas further into the tournament.

Jun Endo has demonstrated remarkable consistency throughout the tournament, emerging as one of Japan’s most reliable players.

Her passing range in Australia and New Zealand is some of the best in world football, and her specific ability to play disguised passes to trick her opponents has been pretty remarkable. Combine that with her astute vision to navigate the ball around the opposition team’s formations and adept positioning showcase just how good she is. Like every other Japanese player, she’s willing to put a defensive shift in too.

Given how many of her team-mates have been performing at such a high level, it’s an outside chance that Endo is awarded the Golden Ball, but a couple more stellar performances may propel her forward.