The icons of Women's Football (videos)

Megan Rapinoe: a fiery temperament

With pink, blonde or purple hair depending on her mood, a strong character and a strong claim to equal pay and social equality, Megan Rapinoe obviously couldn't please Donald Trump. A two-time world champion, the American winger has become a global icon in the wake of the 2019 World Cup. The soon-to-be 37-year-old player had already made a name for herself by being one of the first white athletes to kneel during the American national anthem before her matches. This was a powerful gesture in a country where patriotism is a cardinal value, and was intended to support the American football player Colin Kaepernick, who wanted to speak out against the police violence to which African-Americans are still subjected across the Atlantic.

The Californian has become the leader of a women's football movement that no longer wants to wait to take the place it deserves, and has now gone beyond her status as a "simple" top-level sportswoman. Rapinoe is now not only a legend in her sport, but also the embodiment of the collective power of football. After a hard-fought battle, the US Soccer Federation decided to pay equal bonuses and salaries to its men's and women's teams. Another victory for Megan!

Ada Hegerberg: forever first

It was not until 2018 that a female footballer won the Ballon d'Or. And it is Ada Hegerberg who has had this honour, at the end of a year in which the Olympique Lyonnais striker has allowed her club to continue its reign over European football. The Norwegian striker has been an unstoppable force in the French game, scoring a string of goals to lead the "Fenottes" back to the top of the French and European game.

The 26-year-old, who was injured for a long time, has resumed a career that was once thought to be in jeopardy. It's a good thing Lyon is in the process of winning back the French title, which they lost to PSG, and the European title, which was snatched from them by Barcelona, who have become the benchmark in women's football. In addition to these performances, the Scandinavian never forgets her responsibilities, never hesitating to express herself on the social networks. What is she fighting for? Equality between men and women in terms of sports investment, infrastructure and access to decent playing conditions. It's a long battle, but adversity is not the kind of thing that frightens Ada Hegerberg.

Alexia Putellas: the “Reina del futbol”

A collective hat-trick (La Liga-Copa de la Reina-Champions League 2020/2021), an individual hat-trick (Fifa Player of the Year, UEFA Player of the Year, Golden Ball 2021): the best ball handler on the planet is Alexia Putellas. A left-footed player with tremendous class on the ball, and a Blaugrana at heart, the 28-year-old Catalan is almost reminiscent of a certain Lionel Messi. However, it is more in the role of Xavi or Andres Iniesta that the Spanish international operates. A key figure in Barcelona's game, Putellas is the perfect embodiment of the Barça "style", made up of short, carefully crafted passes and combinations. After making her name at neighbouring Espanyol Barcelona, the playmaker has now returned to her parent club, where she has taken the club to the top after a carefully thought-out process from training to marketing to first-team recruitment.

After a decade with Putellas in its ranks, Barça has achieved its goal of becoming the best team in the world, with the help of the best player in the world. "My dream is to think that when I leave this club I will leave a legacy, having given everything and won trophies. At Barcelona there is a real project and success has followed. There's no excuse for everyone not to do the same. We must have good conditions to work in. And not only some clubs. All the teams in the League. Putellas in the text, proof once again that the midfielder has a vista worthy of the greatest.

Vivianne Miedema: England and the world at her feet

Vivianne Miedema, 25, has become the all-time leading goalscorer in the history of the reigning European champions and last FIFA World Cup finalist at the age of just 22. The Dutch international has also managed to score 100 goals for her club Arsenal in just 110 games. The Dutchwoman is the all-time leading scorer in the history of the English league, one of the most competitive in the world, and her talent is as strong as her physique, which allows her to dominate opposing defenders head and shoulders. Miedema, the Oranje Leeuwinnen boss, will again be one of the players to watch at this summer's Euro 2022 and at the 2023 World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. The top striker will this time attempt to climb the last remaining step to the roof of the world by hoisting the trophy to give a first world title to a footballing giant, who has already had to endure four defeats in the finals (three in the men's competition, one in 2019 in the women's).

While waiting for a possible Oranje triumph, Vivianne Miedema is inspiring little girls in her country by becoming the heroine of a series of children's books. And the rest of the world as well by joining the Common Goal collective, created by the player Juan Mata, whose objective is that each member donates 1% of their salary to a charity of their choice. Hats off to her!

Wendie Renard: "the Tour de France"

At an impressive 1,87 metres tall, the central defender is an imposing figure. Yes, Wendie Renard is what you might call a legend. Both by her talent and her strength in duels, but also by the charisma that the boss of the Olympique Lyonnais defence exudes. And perhaps also because of her career. For nothing was easy for Wendie, who arrived in mainland France alone at the age of just 16, after a childhood and adolescence spent in her native Martinique. Fifteen years later, it's time to count: fourteen French championship titles, nine national cups, seven Champions League titles, 129 caps with Les Bleues and a presence among the world's top players. No more than that! These are exemplary records that bear the stamp of the fierce will that Renard has shown during her journey to the top. Despite injuries, hard knocks and even enmities with certain coaches, the great Wendie never gave up, to the point of writing her name in gold letters in the great history of French football. An example of strength and resilience for all the players in the world.