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Zambia news

Alessia Russo Ella Toone Mariona Caldentey Emma Hayes composite

Russo among 11 Lionesses on FIFPRO XI shortlist as Caldentey snubbed

Alessia Russo is one of 11 Lionesses on the list of nominees for this year's FIFPRO XI, which also includes seven players from the Spain side England beat in the European Championship final - albeit not Mariona Caldentey, who put La Roja ahead in that game and finished as runner-up to Aitana Bonmati at the Ballon d'Or. That's not the only surprise, either, with Mary Earps included and there no representation for the United States women's national team.

Ballon d'Or Feminin: Could a Lioness lift the Golden Ball?

In the last few years, it's seemed relatively easy to predict the winner of the Ballon d'Or Feminin. In 2025, though, it feels incredibly tricky, especially after England's win over Spain in the European Championship final.

GOAL's World-Class Club: Hampton usurps Earps in 2025

Every summer, GOAL publishes its exclusive list of the 25 players who have proven themselves truly elite by consistently producing top performances

Unstoppable Nigeria storm into WAFCON semi’s after Zambia thrashing, set to face Banyana or Senegal

Super Falcons' 'Mission X' rolls on in Morocco as they march into the semi-finals, just two wins away from the continental crown on Friday.

NXGN 2025: Football's 25 best women's wonderkids

The annual NXGN lists are back for another year, highlighting 25 of the most incredible female talents to have been born on or after January 1, 2006

Hayes & Rapinoe defend Banda after 'ridiculous' Rowling attack

Emma Hayes and Megan Rapinoe have criticised the "ridiculous" treatment of Barbra Banda after she won the BBC Women's Football of the Year award.

Orlando's Banda named BBC Women's Footballer of the Year

With 13 goals for the Orlando Pride and 10 for Zambia, Banda selected as BBC's top women's player

Ballon d'Or Feminin: Can Bonmati hold off USWNT gold medallists?

The last three Golden Ball winners have represented Barcelona and Spain, and it looks likely that at least one of those themes will continue

Naomi Girma Sophia Smith Olympic gold medals 2024

USWNT duo Smith & Girma up for prestigious BBC award

USWNT stars and Olympic gold medalists Sophia Smith and Naomi Girma are among five nominees for this year's BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award.

Report: Orlando files grievance on Zambia over Chanda injury

The NWSL club is filing the grievance as they believe Zambia didn't provide adequate care for their midfielder following an injury

Winners & losers from the Women's Olympic tournament

It was a tournament to remember for the U.S., Marta's Brazil and bronze medallist Germany - but concerns arose for plenty of others, not least Canada

Swanson leads GOAL's Olympic Team of the Group Stage

Two USWNT stars feature in GOAL's best XI after the first round at Paris 2024 was completed, with two Ballon d'Or winners grabbing spots in midfield

Hayes' USWNT are special! Olympic groups winners & losers

There have been a number of standout performers in the tournament's opening week, but others have endured an Olympics to forget

All eyes on U.S. attack: Swanson shines, Smith status unclear

The U.S. picked up three big points with a 3-0 victory, but with questions about Smith and Shaw, did they come at a cost?

USWNT's Swanson announces return with Olympic brace

Swanson, who missed out on the World Cup, scored twice in a minute to lead the way in a lopsided USWNT win over Zambia

Six reasons you should not underestimate USWNT in Paris

GOAL breaks down why this U.S. team, in the rare role of underdogs, is still among the contenders for gold in Paris

Betting spotlight

USA vs Belgium Predictions, Lineups, Odds & Tips: Balogun help hosts to victory

See more betting articles

Frequently asked questions

: Fifteen players from the Aston Villa Wesleyan Chapel cricket team formed the Aston Villa Football Club in the 1870s.
: Aston Villa are owned by V Sports, a joint venture between billionaires Nassef Sawiris and Wesley Edens. Atairos, an investment company based in the UK, became a minority partner of V Sports in April 2024.
: Aston Villa play all their home games at the Villa Park since 1897.
: Villa Park has a capacity of over 42,000 and has hosted more FA Cup semi-final games than any other stadium in history.
: Aston Villa have won 22 titles throughout their history, including seven English top-flight titles, one European Cup (now known as the Champions League), and seven FA Cups.
: Aston Villa have won seven top-flight titles, but have failed to clinch a league trophy in the Premier League era. They last won the first division in the 1980-81 season.
: Former Scottish left-back Charlie Aitken has made the most appearances for Aston Villa, featuring in 660 games for the club from 1961 to 1975.
: One of the greatest players to ever play for Aston Villa, Billy Walker is the club's record goalscorer of all-time with 244 goals to his name.
: Jack Grealish, Dwight Yorke, Emiliano Martinez, Gordon Cowans, and Gareth Barry are among the most respectable players in Aston Villa history, with the club also luring legends like Peter Schmeichel and Paul McGrath.
: Steven Gerrard, Steve Bruce, Gerard Houllier and Unai Emery are among the big names to have led Aston Villa during its illustrious history.
: Aston Villa are famously known as The Villans. The name 'Villa' is derived from the Villa Cross Wesleyan Church, whose former cricket club passed on the name to the club.

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Zambia news

Russo among 11 Lionesses on FIFPRO XI shortlist as Caldentey snubbed

Ballon d'Or Feminin: Could a Lioness lift the Golden Ball?

GOAL's World-Class Club: Hampton usurps Earps in 2025

Unstoppable Nigeria storm into WAFCON semi’s after Zambia thrashing, set to face Banyana or Senegal

NXGN 2025: Football's 25 best women's wonderkids

Hayes & Rapinoe defend Banda after 'ridiculous' Rowling attack

Orlando's Banda named BBC Women's Footballer of the Year

Ballon d'Or Feminin: Can Bonmati hold off USWNT gold medallists?

USWNT duo Smith & Girma up for prestigious BBC award

Report: Orlando files grievance on Zambia over Chanda injury

Winners & losers from the Women's Olympic tournament

Swanson leads GOAL's Olympic Team of the Group Stage

Hayes' USWNT are special! Olympic groups winners & losers

All eyes on U.S. attack: Swanson shines, Smith status unclear

USWNT's Swanson announces return with Olympic brace

Six reasons you should not underestimate USWNT in Paris

Betting spotlight

Say hello to Jaedyn Shaw, USWNT's next generational player

USWNT beware! Zambia's big-money NWSL stars eye Olympic shock

Olympics 2024 squads: USWNT, Spain & every women's soccer roster

Inside the intellect, acumen of USWNT captain Lindsey Horan

Smith, Bonmati & 15 women's stars to watch at the Olympics

Take 2: USWNT star Smith seeks redemption at Paris Olympics

Olympics 2024 football draw: Teams & groups

Explained: Why Zambia could be forced to miss Olympics

USWNT learns final Olympic opponent - and it's not Jorge Vilda

Bay FC's Racheal Kundananji stretchered off for Zambia

Frequently asked questions