Hampton Wins Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper; Nnadozie Places Fourth

Super Falcons and Brighton goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie finished fourth in the 2025 The Best FIFA Women’s Goalkeeper rankings as Hannah Hampton of England and Chelsea claimed the prestigious award.

Hampton was officially announced as the winner on Tuesday, completing a remarkable year at both club and international level. She became only the second England player to secure the honour, following Mary Earps’ successes in 2022 and 2023.

According to FIFA’s released voting results, Hampton topped the list with 28 points, showcasing her standout performances over the last season. She finished ahead of Spain’s Cata Coll (second with 20 points) and Chile’s Christiane Endler (third with 10).

Nnadozie, who excelled for both club and country this year, received strong support but ultimately placed just outside the podium positions. Her fourth-place finish confirms her status among the world’s elite goalkeepers.

Hampton’s achievements reflect her influential role in Chelsea’s success and England’s international campaigns, where her consistency and shot-stopping ability drew acclaim from fans and pundits alike.

Editorial

There are moments in football when individual excellence transcends mere statistics and that is precisely the case with Hannah Hampton’s crowning as the world’s best goalkeeper. In the delicate, often overlooked art of guarding the net, Hampton has elevated herself beyond national accolades to global recognition. Her ascent is not just a testament to personal resilience and elite athleticism it paints a broader picture of how the modern goalkeeper has become pivotal to both tactical innovation and emotional narrative in the women’s game.

In an era when football is increasingly measured by analytics and headline figures, the goalkeeper remains custodial in every sense  protector, strategist, psychological anchor. Hampton’s consistency this season, underpinned by her ability to perform in high-pressure scenarios, has made her indispensible. It is not simply her reflexes or her clean sheets that command respect it is her composure under fire, the way she has dictated play from deep, and her ability to shape matches in Chelsea’s treble-charged campaign and England’s European successes.

Yet, it would be remiss to reduce this achievement to an individual accolade alone. Football is a collective tapestry woven by coaches, defenders, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. In that context, Hampton’s journey symbolizes the evolution of women’s football itself greater visibility, deeper tactical understanding, and a stage where excellence is unquestioned and universally celebrated.

Meanwhile, Chiamaka Nnadozie’s fourth-place finish is no minor footnote. Her presence in the top ranks underscores the global rise of African talent in women’s football, challenging established hierarchies and asserting Nigeria’s influence on the world stage. Her performances have consistently resonated with authority and promise.

As the game continues to expand in reach and impact, recognitions like The Best FIFA awards do more than hand out trophies they chronicle the sport’s narrative, etching the names of those who define seasons, elevate teams, and inspire the next generation. In Hampton’s triumph and Nnadozie’s ascendancy, we witness the story of a sport in exhilarating motion.

Did You Know?

1. Hannah Hampton won the first ever Women’s Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony a new award recognising the world’s top goalkeeper, previously only available in the men’s category.
2. Hampton helped Chelsea Women achieve a domestic treble (WSL, FA Cup and League Cup) during the 2024/25 season, underlining her influence in a historic campaign.
3. Chiamaka Nnadozie was named CAF Best Goalkeeper of the Year for the third consecutive time in 2025, showing her dominance at the continental level.
4. Nnadozie’s performances were key in Nigeria winning their 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title in 2024, where she also earned the Tournament’s Golden Glove.
5. FIFA’s The Best awards are voted on by national team coaches, captains, journalists and fans, each group contributing 25% to the final result making it one of football’s most democratised honours.