US-based Malawian women’s football star Temwa Chawinga has finished 17th in the 2025 Women’s Ballon d’Or rankings announced on Monday evening at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France.
The Scorchers forward followed her sister Tabitha Chawinga, who last year became the first Malawian to be nominated for the award and was placed 16th.
Temwa, who helped Kansas City Current lift the 2025 National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Shield at the weekend and is joint leading scorer with 13 goals, was one of only two African nominees.
The other niminee was Zambia’s Barbra Banda of Orlando Pride also of NWSL, who finished 14th.
Temwa, who turned 27 on Saturday, earned her nomination after a record-breaking 2024 season in which she scored 20 goals in 25 matches, surpassing Sam Kerr’s long-standing record of 18.
She also won the NWSL Golden Boot, becoming the first Africa-born player to do so, and made history as the first player to score against every active team in a single season.
But internationally, she was edged out by Spain and Barcelona star Aitana Bonmatí, who claimed the Women’s Ballon d’Or for the third year running.
Bonmatí’s teammate, Ewa Pajor of Poland, won the Women’s Gerd Müller Trophy after finishing as top scorer in Europe.
Prior to the awards ceremony, Temwa was quoted by The Nation as having said that the nomination alone was a big honour to her.
Football analyst Charles Nyirenda said Temwa’s best years are still ahead.
“She has already achieved a lot and I don’t doubt that in future she will contest the Ballon d’Or again,” he said.
Football Association of Malawi competitions and communications director Gomezgani Zakazaka also praised her impact.
“Her achievements will continue to encourage the girl child in Malawi to take the sports seriously.”
In the men’s category, France and Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé took the Ballon d’Or after winning the Uefa Champions League and a domestic treble with his club.
He was also named 2024/25 Uefa Champions League Player of the Season and finished as Ligue 1 joint top scorer with 21 goals.
First presented in 1956, the Ballon d’Or is awarded annually by France Football to the player judged to have been the world’s best over the previous season.
