HIBAPRESS-RABAT-CAF
Banda has been rewarded for her excellent form for club and country over the past 12 months, having scored 17 goals in 25 appearances for Orlando Pride in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and leading them to Shield titles and Championship in the United States.
The 24-year-old has been outstanding for the Pride, who were established nine years ago but won their first trophy in 2024, largely thanks to Banda’s exploits.
“It is a very humbling feeling to receive this honor, especially since it was my fellow players who voted,” Banda told CAFOnline. “That makes it even more special.” It’s a great feeling to receive such recognition. God has truly been on my side.
The striker also recently won the prestigious BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award, after excelling at the 2024 Olympics for Zambia, and became the second most expensive player in the history of women’s football when she was transferred for an estimated amount of 740,000 USD by the Chinese club Shanghai Shengli.
More than 7,000 female footballers voted for their team of the year. The Mondial 11 is the only global football prize awarded exclusively by professional footballers.
The FIFPRO women’s world eleven received the most votes from their peers for their performances between August 21, 2023 and August 10, 2024 inclusive. Players must have participated in at least 20 official matches during this period.
FIFPRO 2024 Women’s World Eleven
Goalkeeper
Mary Earps (Manchester United/Paris Saint-Germain, Angleterre)
Defenders
Lucy Bronze (Barcelona/Chelsea, England)
Olga Carmona (Real Madrid, Spain)
Alex Greenwood (Manchester City, Angleterre)
midfielder
Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona, Spain)
Alexia Putellas (Barcelona, Spain)
Keira Walsh (Barcelona, England)
Attackers
Barbra Banda (Shanghai Shengli/Orlando Pride, Zambie)
Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid, Colombia)
Lauren James (Chelsea, England)
Marta (Orlando Pride, Brazil)
