Why Temwa Chawinga Deserves the Ballon d’Or: A Case for NWSL Dominance

While the football world often fixates on European powerhouses for Ballon d’Or contenders, the remarkable achievements of Kansas City Current’s Temwa Chawinga, the 2024 NWSL Golden Boot winner, present an undeniable case for her consideration as a top favorite for the prestigious award.

A Shifting Landscape for Women’s Football’s Highest Honor

The 2025 Ballon d’Or Féminin nominations once again feature familiar faces, with FC Barcelona midfielders Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí having dominated the award since 2021, each claiming two trophies. Their predecessors include the iconic Megan Rapinoe, whose extraordinary performance at the 2019 Women’s World Cup, where she led the USWNT to their fourth title with six goals and two assists, undoubtedly sealed her win. The inaugural award in 2018 went to Norwegian star Ada Hegerberg, who scored an astounding 53 goals in 33 games for Lyon during their French league and Champions League-winning season.

However, the women’s game has undergone a significant evolution over the past seven years. While international tournaments and the UEFA Women’s Champions League still heavily influence voters, the impact of elite league play, particularly in top divisions like the NWSL, is becoming increasingly undeniable. This is where Temwa Chawinga steps into the spotlight.

Beyond the Trophies: Chawinga’s Consistent Brilliance

It’s time to expand our definition of what makes the world’s best player, focusing on the consistent, week-in, week-out impact of athletes like Chawinga. Representing Malawi internationally, Chawinga faces a significant disadvantage in terms of exposure compared to many of her African counterparts, such as fellow nominees Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride, Zambia) and Chiamaka Nnadozie (Paris FC, Nigeria), who have both featured in the Olympics and the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.

The influence of major tournaments on the Ballon d’Or is clear. Bonmatí’s 2023 victory followed Barcelona’s Champions League triumph and Spain’s World Cup win. She secured the award again in 2024, despite Spain’s Olympic quarter-final exit, largely due to Barcelona’s continued Champions League dominance. Similarly, the inclusion of four USWNT players (Lindsey Horan, Mallory Swanson, Sophia Smith, and Trinity Rodman) in the 2024 Ballon d’Or top 10 was largely attributed to their Olympic gold medal win in Paris.

While these competitions undoubtedly carry weight, Chawinga’s sheer output in one of the world’s most competitive leagues demands greater consideration.

Navigating the NWSL’s Unique Calendar

Evaluating Chawinga’s candidacy based solely on league play is complicated by the NWSL’s March-to-November season, which doesn’t align with the European calendar (summer to summer) used for Ballon d’Or voting. Consequently, her performance is assessed across the end of the 2024 season and the first two-thirds of 2025.

Adding to this complexity, the Kansas City Current is poised to win the 2025 NWSL Shield for topping the standings, but this trophy will only be considered in the 2026 Ballon d’Or voting. Her 2024 NWSL Golden Boot, while impressive, doesn’t carry the same weight within the current voting window.

Within the Ballon d’Or window, Chawinga scored 12 goals in 2024 and an additional eight goals in the 2025 voting period, totaling 20 goals across 26 matches (22 in the NWSL, two playoff games, and two Summer Cup games). Her impressive scoring rate of a goal every 109 minutes for the Current in NWSL competitions is noteworthy. While other strikers, like Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor, boast a slightly better pace (a goal every 80 minutes), the context of their respective leagues is crucial.

The NWSL Advantage: Consistent Challenge

In Spain’s Liga F, where Pajor scored 25 goals, the Polish forward often faces weaker opposition than Chawinga does in the NWSL. While the NWSL’s top teams may not rival the budgets of Arsenal or Barcelona, the league’s weakest teams are significantly stronger than those at the bottom of the Spanish standings. This is where Chawinga truly shines.

While Pajor recorded hat tricks in 10–1 and 7–1 victories against Granada and Espanyol, respectively, Chawinga managed only one multi-goal game during this period—a brace in the Summer Cup final against Gotham FC. The fact that Chawinga not only scored 20 goals but also found the net in 19 separate games highlights her consistent ability to influence results and secure points against tougher opponents than many European nominees.

In comparison, of the 14 games in which Pajor scored her 25 Liga F goals, Barcelona won by a margin of at least three goals in every instance. Conversely, in the 19 games where Chawinga scored, the Current won by a three-goal margin only four times. Crucially, on 14 occasions, Chawinga’s goal directly impacted the outcome for Kansas City. This consistent, game-deciding contribution against formidable NWSL opposition makes her an exceptionally valuable player.

More Than a Goalscorer: The Complete Forward

While Chawinga is renowned for her record-breaking goals, it would be a disservice to reduce her game to merely putting the ball in the net. Even without the ball, Chawinga’s presence is impactful. Her blistering counter-attacking runs demand constant attention from opponents, creating vital space for her teammates. She is a “stretch player” who opens up the field.

Beyond her offensive prowess, Chawinga is a diligent defender. She is a dedicated marker, preventing opponents from playing out from the back, and excels at tracking runners and contributing to the counter-press. Kansas City is on track to break NWSL defensive records this season, having already tied the record for clean sheets (13) and poised to concede the fewest goals ever in a season—a testament to Chawinga’s significant contribution to the team’s overall solidity.

Perhaps Chawinga’s Ballon d’Or moment will be more pronounced next season, when Kansas City will likely have shattered more records, lifted the 2025 NWSL Shield, and potentially secured the championship trophy. However, her current résumé is undeniably strong. Temwa Chawinga is, without a doubt, one of the world’s best forwards, and this year’s Ballon d’Or results should reflect her exceptional talent and impact.

For more NWSL news and analysis, visit Sports Illustrated Soccer.