WHEN the BBC announced its shortlist for the 2025 Women’s Footballer of the Year, there was one notable absence that immediately caught fans’ attention: Lucy Bronze.
The England and Chelsea right-back, a two-time winner of the award (2018 and 2020) and one of the most respected defenders in the game, was not among the nominees this time despite just securing the England Women’s Player of the Year Award amidst camp at St. George’s Park this week.
The BBC shortlist for 2025 once again features some of the brightest stars in world football, including Aitana Bonmatí, Mariona Caldentey, Hannah Hampton, Alessia Russo, and Patri Guijarro, with voting open from October 21 to October 31, 2025.
All have delivered outstanding seasons, while Bronze endured a quieter year by her usual standards, with many wondering why a consistent performer at both club and international level didn’t make the final five.
Now playing under Sonia Bompastor at Chelsea, Bronze featured more regularly than some had expected following her move from Barcelona, amassing 1,491 minutes in the WSL in the 24/25 season.
As well as playing (and winning) Euro 2025 with a fractured tibia showing her strength and determination as a player.
Yet the competition proves fierce with…
- Bonmatí and Guijarro at the heart of Barcelona’s European triumphs, the former claining the UWCL Player of the Year.
- Caldentey making an instant impact in her debut WSL season at Arsenal, securing WSL Player of the Year.
- Hampton cementing her place at Chelsea, and being named the world’s best female goalkeeper at the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony.
- Russo continuing to lead the line for both Arsenal and England as the WSL’s joint top scorer (12 goals).
And with such standout attacking and high-impact performances dominating the narrative, defenders, even world-renowned ones like Bronze, often struggle to command the same attention in individual awards.
This, combined with her team’s mixed results and the sheer strength of this year’s competition, likely explains her absence from the shortlist.
At 33, Bronze continues to evolve her game and make significant contributions at the highest level.
If Chelsea push for major honours under Bompastor next season, and if Bronze maintains her form and reliability, few would be surprised to see her name back among the world’s best once again.
