Zambia and Orlando Pride forward Barbra Banda has been chosen as the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year. After announcing a five-player shortlist last month, she garnered the highest votes from BBC Sport website readers.
The shortlist, reflecting performances from September 2023 to August 2024, was created by a diverse panel of global football experts consisting of coaches, players, administrators, and journalists not associated with the BBC.
“I would like to thank the people who voted and everyone who has played a part in my life and my career – my family, my national team in Zambia and especially the Pride team. It is for everyone.” She said.
At the Paris Olympics this summer, Banda netted four goals for Zambia, including a first-half hat-trick against Australia. With a total of 10 goals, she is the leading African goalscorer in Olympic history.
She scored 13 goals for Pride during the 2024 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) regular season despite only joining the team in March. She added four more in the playoffs, including the decisive goal in the championship final, leading Orlando Pride to their first title.
Banda was also recognised as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the NWSL.
Aitana Bonmati, the Spanish midfielder for Barcelona, secured second place in the voting, while Sophia Smith, an American forward with the Portland Thorns, claimed third place.
Caroline Graham Hansen from Norway and Barcelona and Naomi Girma, a defender for the USA and San Diego Wave, were also included in the shortlist.
When Banda transferred to Pride from the Chinese club Shanghai Shengli in March for $740,000 (£581,000), she became the second-most expensive signing in women’s football history, following in the footsteps of her Zambian teammate Racheal Kundananji.
The Zambian captain, who ranked 12th in the 2024 Women’s Ballon d’Or, is also a former professional boxer, having won all five fights before shifting her attention to football.
