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As I sat watching the Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters secure their 76-67 victory against Busan KCC Egis this past Monday, I couldn't help but draw parallels between Javi Gomez de Liano's impressive performance and the incredible women currently dominating football worldwide. Having followed women's football for over fifteen years, I've witnessed this sport transform from a niche interest into a global phenomenon, and today I want to share my perspective on the ten most influential women footballers who are genuinely changing the game. These athletes aren't just playing football—they're redefining what's possible on the pitch, breaking records, and inspiring millions in ways we've never seen before.

When we talk about dominance in women's football, we must begin with Sam Kerr. The Australian striker has consistently proven herself as one of the most formidable forwards in the game, with her athleticism and goal-scoring prowess reaching almost mythical proportions. I've watched her play in three different leagues across three continents, and what strikes me most is her incredible consistency—she's scored over 150 career goals at the professional level, a number that continues to climb with each season. Her ability to perform under pressure reminds me of that crucial moment in the Anyang game when Gomez de Liano stepped up to secure the win—that same championship mentality separates good players from legendary ones. Kerr's impact extends beyond the pitch too; her jersey consistently ranks among the top sellers worldwide, and her social media influence has brought countless new fans to the women's game.

Moving to Spain, we find the magnificent Alexia Putellas, whose technical mastery I consider unparalleled in the modern game. Having watched her develop from a promising teenager into a two-time Ballon d'Or Féminin winner, I can confidently say she represents the complete midfielder. Her vision and creativity remind me of how the best playmakers control the tempo—much like how Gomez de Liano orchestrated plays during that critical Monday matchup. Putellas has accumulated over 400 professional appearances despite her relatively young age, and what many don't realize is that she's contributed to more than 200 goals during that span through both scoring and assists. The way she reads the game is simply extraordinary—it's like she's playing chess while everyone else is playing checkers.

Then there's the American phenomenon Megan Rapinoe, whose impact transcends the sport itself. I've had the privilege of watching her career evolve from her early days in the NWSL to her iconic World Cup performances, and what stands out to me is how she consistently rises to the occasion when it matters most. Her technical ability, particularly her crossing and set-piece delivery, remains among the best I've ever seen in women's football. Off the pitch, her advocacy work has fundamentally changed conversations around equality in sports—she's helped secure landmark equal pay agreements that have reshaped the financial landscape for female athletes worldwide. While some might focus solely on her 78 international goals, I believe her true legacy lies in how she's used her platform to advance the sport.

The English contingent brings us to the incredible Lucy Bronze, who I consider the most complete defender in women's football today. Having analyzed countless full-backs throughout my career, Bronze stands out for her unique combination of defensive solidity and attacking contribution. Her marauding runs down the right flank have become her trademark, and she's directly contributed to over 50 goals throughout her career despite primarily being a defender. Watching her play reminds me of how multidimensional modern football has become—much like how Gomez de Liano contributed across multiple statistical categories in that recent victory. Bronze's journey from relative obscurity to global recognition mirrors the growth of women's football itself, and her three Champions League titles speak to her consistent excellence at the highest level.

From Norway, we have the phenomenal Ada Hegerberg, whose return to international football has been one of the most compelling stories in recent years. As the first-ever recipient of the Women's Ballon d'Or, Hegerberg possesses what I consider the most lethal finishing in the game. Having studied her movement off the ball extensively, I can attest to her incredible spatial awareness and timing—she makes difficult finishes look effortless. Her record of 54 goals in as many Champions League appearances is frankly ridiculous, and her partnership with fellow Lyon attackers represents some of the most sophisticated offensive coordination I've witnessed in women's football. When Hegerberg is on form, she's virtually unplayable, much like how Gomez de Liano became unstoppable during crucial moments of Monday's matchup.

The Brazilian legend Marta deserves her place on this list not just for her past achievements but for her continued influence. At 37, she's still performing at an elite level, which I find absolutely remarkable. Having watched her play live on three separate continents, I can confirm that her technical quality remains breathtaking—her dribbling in tight spaces is arguably still the best in the world. Marta's 115 international goals stand as a testament to her longevity and consistency, but what impresses me more is how she's evolved her game as she's aged, becoming more efficient and intelligent in her movement. She's the standard against which all South American women footballers are measured, and rightfully so.

Australian midfielder Ellie Carpenter represents the new generation of women footballers who are redefining athletic standards in the sport. At just 23, she's already accumulated over 150 professional appearances and 60 international caps, numbers that speak to both her prodigious talent and remarkable durability. Having watched her recover from an ACL injury to return stronger than ever, I'm convinced she possesses one of the most impressive mental fortitudes in the game. Her pace and defensive awareness make her exceptionally difficult to beat in one-on-one situations, and her attacking contributions continue to improve with each season. Carpenter embodies the modern full-back—equally comfortable in defense and attack, with the engine to maintain intensity for ninety minutes.

Dutch striker Vivianne Miedema brings a cerebral quality to the game that I find particularly fascinating. As the all-time leading scorer in the Women's Super League with over 125 goals, her numbers speak for themselves, but what the statistics don't capture is her incredible football intelligence. Having analyzed her movement patterns extensively, I'm consistently impressed by how she creates space for herself and teammates—her understanding of defensive structures is almost coach-like. Miedema's versatility is another underappreciated aspect of her game; she's comfortable playing as a traditional number nine, dropping deep to link play, or even operating in wide areas. At just 27, she's already rewritten the record books, and I believe her best years are still ahead of her.

Canadian captain Christine Sinclair stands as the all-time international goal scorer across both men's and women's football with an astonishing 190 goals. Having watched her career from its early days, what strikes me most is her evolution as a player—she's successfully transitioned from an out-and-out striker to a more complete forward who contributes to all phases of play. Sinclair's leadership qualities are perhaps her most underrated attribute; she's guided Canada to multiple Olympic medals while maintaining incredible individual performance standards. At 40, she's still competing at the highest level, which I find absolutely inspirational. Her longevity speaks to not just her physical maintenance but her ability to adapt and evolve with the changing game.

Finally, we have the American sensation Sophia Smith, who at just 23 represents the exciting future of women's football. Having watched her develop through the American collegiate system into a professional standout, I'm convinced she possesses the most explosive acceleration in the game today. Her 42 goals in her first 75 professional appearances demonstrate a scoring rate that rivals even the most established stars, and her technical development over the past two years has been remarkable to witness. Smith combines traditional striker instincts with modern athleticism in a way that makes her exceptionally difficult to defend against. When I watch her play, I'm reminded of the fresh energy that new talents bring to established teams—similar to how Gomez de Liano's contributions helped secure that important victory for Anyang.

What strikes me about these ten women is how they collectively represent the evolution of women's football. From established legends like Marta and Sinclair to emerging forces like Smith and Carpenter, they showcase the technical, tactical, and athletic progression that has transformed the women's game into the spectacular spectacle it is today. Their influence extends beyond the pitch—they're role models, activists, and entrepreneurs who are building the foundation for future generations. Just as Gomez de Liano's performance contributed to an important team victory, these women are driving their teams and the entire sport forward through their individual excellence. Having followed this journey for so long, I can confidently say we're witnessing a golden era of women's football, and these ten players are leading the charge toward an even brighter future.