Five standout women's football players from the Paris 2024 Olympics to look out for this season
Football at the Games may be over for another four years, but these players are just getting started as they gear up for another competitive season with their respective clubs across the world.
Football
Women’s football at Paris 2024 was a spectacle, as the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) clinched a fifth gold at the expense of Marta’s Brazil.
26 games played and 76 goals scored, it was an unforgettable month for those who played a starring role in the French capital.
We bid farewell to the legendary Marta in her final Olympic appearance, but we also welcomed the talents of a plethora of emerging stars.
After a short break, players are now preparing for the domestic season with their respective clubs – but who are the stars you should be looking out for?
Here are five standout payers from the Games to tune in for during the 2024/2025 campaigns.
USWNT forward Trinity Rodman.
Trinity Rodman (USA/Washington Spirit)
When it comes to USWNT stars to watch following their Paris endeavours, fans are spoiled for choice. Naomi Girma, Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson are just a few of the names who made their mark in Paris, but for Trinity Rodman, it was a breakout tournament on the big stage. A return of three goals and one assist saw her be a pivotal member of their gold-winning squad.
It is not just about what she does in front of goal – her skillset on the wings is imperative for getting her side up to the pitch, but her tracking back and defensive work rate was equally crucial to Emma Hayes’ game plan up against their opponents, particularly from the knockout stages.
On finding that extra dimension when covering ground, Rodman told Olympics.com: “You just never know what the play could be.
“[It could be that] there’s a goal line save or we need an extra player in the box.
“So I think not only for me, but I think all of the players on the team and all the attacking players, there are moments where we have to track back, and I think that’s part of what makes us so great.”
Rodman is back in action with the Washington Spirit, who are currently second in the NWSL table (38pts), six points behind the Orlando Pride.
Giulia Gwinn scored one of the two goals for eventual gold medal winners the USWNT conceded at Paris 2024.
Giulia Gwinn (Germany/Bayern Munich)
Giulia Gwinn proved that when it comes to big moments, she is the player that Germany can rely on. Despite being a right-back, the 25-year-old covers a lot of the ground and has a knack for being in the right place at the right time. She scored twice for the European side, most notably a game-winning penalty in their successful quest for the bronze medal.
That attacking prowess is prevalent in club football, too, where she is a key player for Bayern Munich. Gwinn provided an assist in their 24/25 curtain raiser against Potsdam, where Bayern ran out 2-0 winners.
Gwinn and her side are back in league action next Friday, 13 September against RB Leipzig.
Barbra Banda (Zambia/Orlando Pride)
Prior to Paris, Barbra Banda was dubbed the ‘most in-form forward’ in the world by USA head coach Hayes. 12 goals in 12 NWSL games meant expectations were high coming into Zambia’s second-ever Olympic tournament.
Banda shone in their first outing three years ago in Tokyo, becoming the first player in men's or women’s football to score back-to-back hat-tricks at the Games.
Fast-forward to 2024, the Nice Stadium bore witness as she bagged yet another three-goal feat in a breathless 11-goal counter against Australia, that ended 6-5 in favour of the Aussies. She is now the first player in women’s football to score three hat-tricks in Olympic history, moving five shy of Cristiane’s goal-scoring record (14).
The 24-year-old is back in action with Orlando Pride, with the NWSL now continuing following their mid-season break.
The Florida-based club is currently sitting top of the table (44pts) with a six-point advantage over its closest competitor the Washington Spirit.
Young Canadian midfielder Simi Awujo at Paris 2024.
Simi Awujo (Canada/Manchester United)
Among a list of established names, Simi Awujo is relatively new to the scene at just 20 years old. But where experience may consider her a novice, on the pitch she looks right at home with seasoned professionals.
Awujo’s standout performances in a win against France, before an eventual quarter-final defeat to Germany on penalties, would see her introduce herself to the world stage.
As a result, right out of collegiate soccer, the Canadian secured a move to one of the biggest clubs in the English league: Manchester United.
It is the chance for the youngster to really make her mark on the domestic game having already developed into a mainstay for her country, and the WSL is among the best leagues to do as such in.
United kick off their campaign on Saturday (21 September), with a visit from West Ham.
Marie-Antoinette Katoto finished as the top goal scorer at Paris 2024.
Marie-Antoinette Katoto (France/Paris Saint-Germain)
After her Euro 2022 was devastatingly cut short with an ACL injury, which in turn resulted in her missing out on the World Cup last year, Marie-Antoinette Katoto has been back with a point to prove. Her return to action saw the 25-year-old score 19 goals across the league and the UWCL, working her way back into the French squad in time for the Olympics.
Katoto was the focal point of France’s attack in their home Games, finishing the tournament as the top scorer with five, despite their quarter-final exit to eventual finalists Brazil. On course to get back to her best, the upcoming campaign could be huge for Katoto and PSG.
They kick their new season off against Montpellier on Saturday, 21 September.