Scorchers forward Temwa Chawinga has been named the most valuable player in the US’ National Women’s Soccer League in 2025, topping the market value rankings at €900 000 (about K1.8 billion).
The 26-year-old forward leads the latest Soccerdonna, a global valuator of women’s football players’ market values update, placing her above a host of global stars.
The Kansas Current star is consequently Africa’s most valuable player, overtaking Nigeria’s Racheal Kundananji, who also plays for National Women’s Soccer League side Bay FC valued at €805 000.
The latest market values mean on the world stage, Temwa is now fifth on the list led by Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí (€1.5 million), Olivia Smith of Arsenal at €1.34 million on second position, Naomi Girma of Chelsea at €1.05 million is third while Lauren James also of Chelsea at €1 million comes fourth
At National Women’s Soccer League, trailing Chawinga are US sensation Trinity Rodman and Sophia Wilson, both valued at €800 000. Zambian Barbra Tabitha Banda is now worth €750 000.
The top 10 is rounded off by Chile’s Yanara Aedo Ovalle (€725 000) and US star Emily Swanson (€650 000).
National Women’s Soccer League has since described Temwa as having proved as the most talented player in the league.
“In just two years with the Kansas City Current, Temwa Chawinga has proved herself to be one of the NWSL’s most explosive stars. She is a 2025 Ballon d’Or Féminin nominee, 2024 NWSL MVP, and won the 2024 NWSL Golden Boot,” www.nwslsoccer.com reported.
Malawi National Women’s Football Association chairperson Adellaide Migogo in an interview said they are proud of Temwa’s ground-breaking achievements.
She said: “We are proud of Temwa’s achievements. She is a role model and continues to put Malawi on the map. She is an inspiration to up and coming women’s football players. Apart from her talent, her discipline and hardworking spirit sets her apart from others.”
On her part, Temwa told www.nwslsoccer.com that her achievements are for Malawi and Africa at large.
She said: “We know that we’re representing Africa, putting Africa on the map. People have started noticing Africa. People started knowing Malawi in the USA because of me, so it’s so amazing.
“It means a lot to have a younger generation to be looking up to be like me, because I didn’t know I could be here now playing soccer in this country. My aim was playing for fun. I didn’t know if I could be professional.”
Temwa’s NWSL records and achievements include single-season scoring of 20 goals in 25 matches, breaking Sam Kerr’s previous record of 18.
Last season, she also won NWSL Golden Boot award and was also the first Africa-born player to win the accolade.
Temwa also became the first player to score at least once against every active team in a single season.
Players’ market value is determined by age, future prospects, performance at club and national team levels and status of the league, both in sporting and financial terms, performance potential, experience level and injury susceptibility.
