Hannah Hampton wins BBC Women's Footballer of the Year 2025

Chelsea and England goalkeeper, Hannah Hampton, has been named BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2025. The winner of the BBC World Service award was announced on the BBC’s Newsday on Tuesday 25 November.

Hannah was presented with the award by her coach at Chelsea FC, Sonia Bompastor, and the BBC’s Maz Farookhi in a surprise meeting.

Now in its eleventh year, BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year award sees an expert panel made up of current and former professionals, coaches and journalists nominate their top five players over the past year, with the winner decided by football fans from around the world through a global online vote.

Hannah was named the world's best female goalkeeper at the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony after her penalty-saving heroics helped England win Euro 2025. She saved two penalties in the victory over Spain in the final and did the same in their quarter-final success over Sweden.

At the age of 24, she has already won the Women's Super League twice, the FA Cup and League Cup once, two European Championships and reached a World Cup final.

Hannah was also pivotal as Chelsea won the domestic treble, winning the FA Cup and League Cup and, after an outstanding unbeaten campaign, they lifted the Women’s Super League title last year.

On winning BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2025, Hannah says: "I definitely didn't expect it. With all the other players nominated, I think they've all had unbelievable years. I don't think I did until the final moment when Sonia revealed the trophy."

Reflecting on standout moments in the last 12 months, Hannah says: "Winning the Euros is special. Being able to put on an England badge is a special and proud moment. You never take it for granted. Even if it's just around the hotel and you're wearing the kit, it's always a lovely moment when you've got any sort of England badge on your chest.

“At club level, the season we had last year, the treble winning season, it's an unbelievable achievement from the club and nothing less than what they deserve."

On being a goalkeeper, Hannah says: “Obviously goalkeeping is a position that needs a lot of resilience, it's a lonely position, but it's also very rewarding. You could be the hero at moments and you could also be the villain at moments. I want to achieve a lot more in the game and I can't dwell on people's thoughts - that's going to hinder me, not help me. The keepers before me from Carly (Telford), from Karen (Bardsley), from Mary (Earps) even before that, they've changed the perception of women's goalkeeping. It’s definitely taking off and we're trying to change the perception slowly but surely and make sure it's being seen in the right light.”

Hannah was voted winner of this year’s award from a shortlist of some of the biggest names in women’s football, including Aitana Bonmati (Spain and Barcelona), Mariona Caldentey (Spain and Arsenal), Patri Guijarro (Spain and Barcelona) and Alessia Russo (England and Arsenal).

Sonia Bompastor, Chelsea head coach says: “Hannah’s been incredible on and off the pitch since I joined Chelsea, she has been one of our leaders, performing really well. She has been the best goalkeeper in the world and it’s a pleasure to present her with the trophy.”

Jon Zilkha, Controller of BBC World Service English, says: “Congratulations to Hannah on winning BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year 2025. Hannah’s composure, resilience, and outstanding performances on the pitch make her a truly worthy winner of this award. Each of our nominees has enjoyed an exceptional year, and together they are helping to shape the future of women’s football by inspiring players and fans around the world.”

Hannah has been voted the BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year in the eleventh year of the BBC World Service award. The previous winners were Barbra Banda in 2024, Mary Earps in 2023, Beth Mead in 2022, Vivianne Miedema in 2021, Lucy Bronze in 2020, Ada Hegerberg in 2019, Lucy Bronze in 2018, Ada Hegerberg in 2017, Kim Little in 2016, and Asisat Oshoala in 2015.

ES

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