- Following La Roja’s Women’s World Cup triumph in August, the 2023 FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 has the potential to pack a strong Spanish flavour
- Could the likes of Aitana Bonmati, Olga Carmona and Jennifer Hermoso be voted into the World 11 by their fellow professionals for the first time?
- Finalists will be announced on Wednesday 3 January 2024; winners will be revealed on Monday 15 January 2024 at The Best FIFA Football Awards
Following La Roja’s Women’s World Cup triumph in August, the 2023 FIFA FIFPRO Women’s World 11 has the potential to boast a distinctive Spanish flavour.
With players selecting fellow professionals based on performances for the period 1 August 2022 to 20 August 2023, exploits at the global finals will have no doubt caught the attention of voting players.
The 23 finalists of the 2023 Women’s World 11 will be announced on Wednesday 3 January 2024, while the winners will be revealed on Monday 15 January 2024 at The Best FIFA Football Awards.
FIFPRO takes a look at five Spanish Women’s World Cup stars that could make the World 11 for the first time.
Olga Carmona
Olga Carmona showed her ability to rise to the big occasions at Australia & New Zealand 2023 by bagging the winning goal for Spain in the semi-finals and final. The attack-minded left-back wore the captain’s armband in the final as La Roja claimed their first Women’s World Cup trophy.
At just 23-years-old Carmona, who made her senior international debut just two years ago, is still considered one of Spain’s most exciting prospects. But having made her club debut for Sevilla at the tender age of 15, Carmona already boasts considerable experience and know-how.
What they said
Ona Batlle on team-mate Carmona: "Olga is a very good mate and it was special [to see her score]. She’s been showing she’s a really good full-back. She won the player of the match [in the final] and we have enjoyed that [achievement] with her. She is a very good captain. She has that belief in the team and is always talking to everyone about that."
Ona Batlle
A dynamic ball-playing full-back, Ona Batlle demonstrated her ability to nullify the most potent attacking threats at Australia & New Zealand 2023.
The 24-year-old displayed steely determination and composure at her debut World Cup, especially in the final against England, as she played an important role in helping La Roja to their maiden title.
What they said
Battle: "We did a really good job. They [England] are a very good team and we knew it was going to be tough. We had to stay together and work. We have shown we have talent and we also work hard. Also, everyone [in the squad] believed we could win this tournament. That’s such an important thing."
Aitana Bonmati
Aitana Bonmati staked her claim to being named in the World 11 for the first time after an outstanding World Cup that saw her crowned the tournament’s best player; the diminutive midfielder added to her winners’ medal by also picking up the Golden Ball.
At 25-years-old, Bonmati has never been voted into the World 11 despite boasting two UEFA Women’s Champions League winners' medals with Barcelona. But with three goals and two assists in a victorious World Cup campaign, Bonmati’s performances at the heart of Spain’s midfield could very well pique the interest of her fellow professionals when voting this time around.
What they said
Bonmati: "This tournament has been amazing for women’s football. The standard of football, the great games, the atmospheres. To get the chance to play in the final is something we’ve dreamed about for so long. It was a very tough match, so we’re very happy, relieved, proud."
Salma Paralluelo
Spain’s rising star, Salma Paralluelo has gone from strength to strength since making her senior international debut just last year. The 19-year-old was the difference for La Roja in their quarter-final and semi-final victories against Netherlands and Sweden, respectively, and was a handful for defenders throughout the tournament with her dangerous dribbling and endless pace.
The teenage sensation, who enjoyed a promising athletics career before focusing on football, picked up the Young Player Award at Australia & New Zealand 2023 and now has a hat-trick of winners’ medals at the global finals after winning the 2022 U-20 Women’s World Cup and 2018 U-17 Women’s World Cup.
What they said
Paralluelo on swapping athletics for football: "When I made the decision, I knew that I would experience these moments that would make me realise that what I had chosen would have been right."
Jennifer Hermoso
Could Spanish veteran Jennifer Hermoso make her World 11 debut at 33 years of age? The experienced forward collected the Silver Ball as she was voted the Women’s World Cup’s second-best player behind team-mate Aitana Bonmati.
A versatile player with relentless determination, Hermoso bagged three goals at Australia & New Zealand 2023 and also surpassed 100 senior international caps during the tournament.
What they said
Hermoso: "We've been trying to imagine this for many days. We're not aware that we're world champions. It's the best feeling I've experienced in soccer in my life, it's tremendous. We've played soccer the way we wanted and we've won a World championship."
