As someone who's been following women's football for over a decade, I've seen the landscape transform dramatically. The conversation about who currently stands as the best women's footballer in the world has become increasingly complex and fascinating. Just like Patrick Tambalque's thrilling comeback in the boys' premier category that I recently witnessed, the women's game has its own stories of resilience, skill, and determination that make this debate particularly compelling. When I analyze current performances, several names immediately spring to mind, each bringing something unique to the beautiful game.

The first player that always comes to my mind is Barcelona's Alexia Putellas. Having watched her development over the years, I've been absolutely mesmerized by her technical ability and football intelligence. Last season alone, she recorded 18 goals and 15 assists in domestic competitions, numbers that barely capture her overall influence on the pitch. What truly sets her apart in my view is her ability to control the tempo of the game – she slows it down or accelerates it with such natural grace that it reminds me of how Xavi orchestrated play during his peak. I remember watching her in the Champions League final where she completed 94% of her passes while creating 5 clear scoring opportunities, a testament to her incredible consistency under pressure. Her back-to-back Ballon d'Or Féminin wins in 2021 and 2022 weren't just recognition of her individual brilliance but acknowledgment of her transformative impact on Barcelona's style of play.

Then there's Sam Kerr, whose athleticism continues to redefine what's possible in women's football. I've had the privilege of watching her play live three times now, and each time I'm struck by her incredible leap and timing. Her goal against Manchester United last season – that spectacular header from outside the penalty area – still gives me chills when I rewatch it. With 42 goals across all competitions for Chelsea last season, she's proven herself as one of the most clinical finishers I've ever seen. What many people don't realize is how much work she does off the ball; her movement creates space for teammates, and her defensive contributions often go unnoticed. Personally, I think her versatility across the frontline makes her particularly valuable in modern football's tactical systems.

We can't have this conversation without mentioning Aitana Bonmatí, who in my opinion has reached an entirely new level this past year. Watching her navigate tight spaces reminds me of watching Iniesta in his prime – she has that same magical ability to find passing lanes that don't seem to exist. Her performance in the World Cup was nothing short of spectacular, completing 89% of her passes while creating 22 scoring chances throughout the tournament. I particularly admire how she's evolved her game; she's added more goals to her repertoire without sacrificing her creative responsibilities. The way she links midfield and attack is, frankly, poetry in motion, and I believe she's currently the most complete midfielder in the women's game.

The emergence of young talents like Salma Paralluelo adds another dimension to this discussion. At just 20 years old, she's already demonstrating a maturity beyond her years. I was fortunate enough to attend the match where she scored that incredible hat-trick against Wolfsburg, and the raw speed combined with technical precision was unlike anything I'd seen from a player her age. Her 16 goals in her debut season with Barcelona surprised even the most optimistic analysts, myself included. While she might not yet be in the conversation for the absolute best, her trajectory suggests she'll be dominating these discussions very soon.

When I compare these phenomenal athletes, I keep coming back to the concept of comeback and resilience that Patrick Tambalque demonstrated in his premier category performance. In women's football, we've seen similar stories of players overcoming challenges to reach the pinnacle. Take Alexia Putellas returning from that devastating ACL injury to reclaim her place among the elite – that journey alone speaks volumes about her character and determination. Having covered football for various publications since 2015, I've developed my own criteria for evaluating greatness: technical proficiency, consistency, big-game performance, and intangible leadership qualities. By these measures, I'd have to give the current edge to Putellas, though Bonmatí is closing the gap rapidly.

The statistical comparisons are fascinating to dive into. Putellas averages 2.3 key passes per game with a passing accuracy of 88%, while Bonmatí creates 2.7 chances with 91% accuracy. Kerr's shooting accuracy stands at an impressive 54% with a goal conversion rate of 28% – numbers that would be exceptional in any league worldwide. But statistics only tell part of the story. Having interviewed several of these players and watched countless hours of game footage, I'm convinced that the mental aspect separates the good from the great. The ability to read the game two steps ahead, to influence teammates through difficult moments, to deliver when it matters most – these are the qualities that ultimately define the best.

Looking at the broader context of women's football, we're witnessing an unprecedented elevation in quality across the board. The technical gap between the top players has narrowed significantly, making these debates both more difficult and more exciting. From my perspective, what makes the current era particularly special is how different styles of excellence coexist – the technical mastery of Putellas, the athletic dominance of Kerr, the creative genius of Bonmatí. Each brings something distinctive to the conversation, and reasonable people can disagree about their relative merits. Personally, I value the complete package – technical ability combined with football intelligence and leadership – which is why I'd currently rank Putellas at the top, though I acknowledge this could change as the season progresses. The wonderful thing about football is that tomorrow's match always offers someone the opportunity to state their case anew, to stage their own thrilling comeback in the ongoing conversation about greatness.