Hannah Hampton voted BBC Women's Footballer of the Year
Hannah Hampton has been named the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year 2025, following a remarkable year where she played a crucial role in Chelsea's domestic treble and helped the England national team secure the Euro 2025 title. The 25-year-old goalkeeper was instrumental in England's success, notably saving two penalties during the final against Spain after being named the team's first-choice keeper. Hampton's win comes amid controversy regarding her position, with former teammate Mary Earps alleging issues surrounding her recall to the squad. Despite this, Hampton remains focused on her career and the evolving perception of women's goalkeeping. Looking ahead, she aims to build on her achievements and continue to inspire future generations in the sport.
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Hampton played a pivotal role in Chelsea's success last season, contributing to their domestic treble by keeping 13 clean sheets in 22 Women's Super League matches.
During Euro 2025, Hampton became a key player for the Lionesses, saving penalties in two crucial shootouts, including both from Spanish players in the final that ended in a 3-1 victory for England.
Despite facing scrutiny following Earps' autobiography claims, Hampton emphasized her focus on personal improvement and resilience against external opinions.
The awards panel for the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year included coaches, players, and journalists, reflecting a broad consensus on Hampton's standout performance over the past year.
Hampton's success comes as women's goalkeeping gains recognition, with her predecessors playing a significant role in changing perceptions within the sport.
She has openly discussed the emotional challenges she faced, including the loss of her grandfather shortly before the tournament, which motivated her to perform well.
Hampton's win marks her as only the second goalkeeper to receive this honor, following Mary Earps, indicating a growing acknowledgment of women's contributions in goalkeeping.