Alex Morgan Retires. Ballon d'Or Nominations Revealed.

Author

Johanna Pearson
September 09, 2024

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL WEEKLY
IN THIS WEEK’S ROUND-UP...

  • Latest headlines: Alex Morgan retires, Ballon d’Or nominations revealed.

  • Fave finds: Hope Solo back in the spotlight

  • Kit drop: Lauren James the face of Mercurial

  • Transfer news: Bonmati and Walsh rumours persist

  • Jobs: New opportunities in football

🔍 IN FOCUS

End of an Era: Alex Morgan Announces Retirement 

We all knew it was coming, and in an emotional video posted this week, Alex Morgan announced her retirement from football at age 35, saying that at the start of 2024 she had felt this would be her final season.

  • Morgan played her final game yesterday as San Diego Wave took on North Carolina Courage. She left the pitch for the final time to a standing ovation, after being substituted at 13 minutes. 13 was her shirt number for club and country.

  • But as one chapter ends, another begins. Morgan also shared that she’s expecting her second child. 

  • Morgan has achieved legendary status, but her impact off the field has been as great as on it. In her words: "I wanted to help players like myself be respected, have better resources, be better protected, allow female players to just play soccer and not continually fight for things we shouldn't be fighting for."

🚨ICYMI

Top Headlines

🗳️ Nominations for the Ballon d’Or 2024 were released this week and there was, as ever, some surprise at those included and, maybe more so, those excluded from the list. The awards will be made on Monday 28 October at the Théâtre du Châtelet (Paris).

  • Three English players are featured, and if you need a clue they all begin with L. Lucy Bronze, Lauren Hemp, and Lauren James.

  • As you might imagine, Barcelona players dominate the shortlist for the Golden Ball; eight in total including current holder Aitana Bonmati.

  • It’s the first time two African nominees have been selected, through Barbra Banda and Tabitha Chawinga.

  • Notably, US international Naomi Girma’s name is nowhere to be seen, which left a lot of fans puzzled, some calling it the biggest snub of the nominations.

⚽ Lauren James has launched a football scholarship for girls from minority backgrounds as she seeks to tackle the lack of diversity in women’s football for which the WSL and the English national team have both been criticised in the past. James announced the scholarship in an open letter addressed to the first cohort, saying:

“Now, I'm in a position where I can try to make a bit of a difference. It won't happen all at once, but we need to get more diversity in the women's game and that starts with giving girls like you – who have the talent to succeed – every chance to do so.”

🩼 Kit Graham has suffered her second ACL injury, having only returned from the first in March 2023. She will miss the entire season after picking up the injury during pre-season training.

🤳 Chelsea has formalised its photo and autograph policy, following in the footsteps of Manchester City in restricting access to players. With crowd numbers growing, clubs have found it increasingly difficult to manage fan demand for player access and at times player safety has been an issue. Now fans will be given organised opportunities to meet players, with season ticket holders getting priority access to signing sessions.

👏 If one legend’s retirement wasn’t enough, Kelly O’Hara is joining Alex Morgan in hanging up her boots. O’Hara’s legendary 15-year career will be celebrated by Gotham FC after their final regular-season home game against Orlando Pride on 20 October. A post-game ceremony will take place where fans, teammates and the football community will come together to honour the two-time World Cup winner as she retires.

🏟️ World Cup 2027: If you’re as excited as we are about the prospect of a Brazil World Cup, then you’ll be equally as excited to know that FIFA has started the host city selection process. The 12 cities and stadiums in the running include: Estádio do Maracanã (Rio de Janeiro), Arena Corinthians (São Paulo), Arena Fonte Nova (Salvador), and Arena da Amazônia (Manaus).

📈 $6.8 million has been spent on women’s international transfers between 1 June - 1 September 2024. That’s pretty much double the amount spent in the same period in 2023. The number of transfers was up by 31.8%, from 829 to 1,125, a new record.

⚽ PICKS FROM THE PITCH

Foord on fire

Arsenal failed to progress from Champions League qualification last season so they had a lot to prove as they started their first 2024/25 tie against Rangers. Their demons were put to rest with a comfortable 6-0 win, four goals coming from Caitlin Foord.

Their second game against Rosenborg ended 1-0 to Arsenal, the goal coming from Frida Maanum.

On to the next stage…
In the final steps towards qualification, Arsenal will take on BK Hacken and Manchester City will take on Paris FC. The winners will progress to the group stages. First leg fixtures will take place 18-19 September and return matches will take place a week later.

WSL champions Chelsea have already automatically qualified.

👀 FAVE FINDS

Untold: Hope Solo vs. U.S. Soccer

Hope Solo, is back in the spotlight with her Netflix Untold episode and it’s had a mixed reaction from football fans.

For those who don’t know, Solo was one of the most outstanding goalkeeping talents of a generation, winning two Olympic gold medals and a World Cup title with the USWNT over 16 years.

Her career came to an abrupt end after making comments deemed offensive during the 2016 Olympics. Other controversies overshadowed her on-field accomplishments including a domestic violence arrest in 2014, and a charge for drink driving in 2022.

Whether you think the Untold episode raises questions about the fairness of Solo’s past treatment or is simply a puff piece aimed at painting her in a better light, you can watch the episode here

✍️ INSIDE TRACK

Transfer Round-up

Anna Csiki, Katie Startup, Maelys Mpomé

The transfer window is coming into its final week there could still be some big moves. Manchester United, Spurs, City and Chelsea have been busy firming up their squads ahead of the new season which starts on 21 September.

Meanwhile, speculation has been swirling around Bonmati all week. Rumours she could head to Chelsea were sidelined by talk of a Barca contract extension which would take her through to 2026 and make her Barca’s highest-paid player, overtaking Putellas who has already pledged her future to the club.

Another rumour that is not going away is the possible departure of Kiera Walsh from Barcelona for the WSL. Although happy at Barca, Walsh is said to be considering a move for personal reasons. 

CONFIRMED TRANSFERS

  • Celin Bizet | Right wing | Contract to 2027 | Tottenham Hotspur → Manchester United

  • Katie Startup | Goalkeeper | Contract to 2026 | Brighton → Manchester City

  • Katelin Talbert | Goalkeeper | Loan to Dec 2024 | West Ham Utd → Tottenham Hotspur

  • Anna Csiki | Midfield | Contract 20 2028 | BK Hacken → Tottenham Hotspur

  • Maelys Mpomé | Defender | Contract to 2028 | Montpellier → Chelsea

  • Seraina Piubel | Midfielder | Contract to 2027 | FC Zürich → West Ham United

CONTRACT RENEWALS

  • Leanne Kiernan has extended her contract at Liverpool. The length of which has not been disclosed.

  • In a bit of a twist, Michelle Heyman’s rumoured transfer to West Ham Utd has collapsed. Instead, she’s signed a one-year contract extension with Canberra United. Catch her take here.

  • Brazilian midfielder Debinha has extended her contract at KC Current until 2026. 

RUMOURS
👟 KIT DROP

Lauren James is the face of Nike’s newest Mercurial drop. Built for speed, the boots are lightweight, use a Flyknit upper and have a tacky finish for better ball control.

Barcelona has gone back to black with their third kit, the first time since their 2020/21 season. Their iconic red and blue come through in the side panels and as highlights on the all-black badge and Nike swoosh.

Adidas has brought back its iconic, original Predator Mania football boots. The latest in its 75th anniversary, limited-edition ‘Made in Germany’ series. The remake is an almost identical replica of the original but brings in a new soleplate.

🛋️ DITCH THE SOFA

Upcoming Events

Watch the Lionesses take on Germany and the USA

England vs Germany
Friday 25 October, 19.30 KO, Wembley.
Get tickets

England vs USA
Saturday 30 November, 17.20 KO, Wembley.
Get tickets

Is there a women’s football event happening near you? Give us a heads-up

📺 WEEKLY WATCHLIST

What We’re Watching

FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup - Round of 16
Our Top Picks…

Wed 11 Sept
22:30 - Spain U20 vs Canada U20 [FIFA+]

Thur 12 Sept
02:00 - Mexico U20 vs USA U20 [FIFA+]
22:30 - Germany U20 vs Argentina U20 [FIFA+]

Fri 13 Sept
02:00 - France U20 vs Netherlands U20 [FIFA+]

Sun 15 Sept
20:30 - TBC - Quarter Finals U20 [FIFA+]

Watch the action on FIFA+

📂 JOBS, JOBS, JOBS

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