Super Falcons defender Michelle Alozie has been shortlisted for the 2025 FIFPRO Women’s World XI, becoming the only Nigerian player to make the list.
Gatekeepers News reports that her Super Falcons teammates Rasheedat Ajibade, Chiamaka Nnadozie, and Esther Okoronkwo — all key figures in Nigeria’s 2024 WAFCON title-winning squad — were, however, not included.
FIFPRO (Fédération Internationale des Associations de Footballeurs Professionnels) announced the 26-player shortlist on Monday, saying it was compiled based on votes from professional footballers worldwide for performances between August 11, 2024, and August 3, 2025.
“Players must have appeared in at least 20 official matches during that period,” FIFPRO stated, adding that the final World XI will be revealed on November 3, 2025.
Alozie, who plays for Houston Dash, was a standout performer as Nigeria clinched its 10th Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) crown earlier this year. She is currently part of the Super Falcons squad preparing for their WAFCON qualifier second leg against Benin Republic.
Ajibade was named Player of the Tournament at the WAFCON, while Nnadozie won the Golden Gloves and ranked fourth in the 2025 Ballon d’Or (Goalkeepers category).
Among other notable omissions is Mariona Caldentey, who won the UEFA Women’s Champions League with Arsenal and was named both WSL Player of the Year and PFA Player of the Year.
The shortlist features top stars such as Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas, Mary Earps, Lucy Bronze, and Barbra Banda, spanning 11 clubs across Europe and beyond.
