Nigeria’s Chiamaka Nnadozie has once again put the Super Falcons on the global stage, this time earning recognition as the fourth-best goalkeeper in the world at the 2025 Ballon d’Or awards held in Paris.

The 24-year-old shot-stopper, who plies her trade with Paris FC in France, was listed among the top five contenders for the first-ever Women’s Yashin Trophy, a new category introduced to honour the best female goalkeepers in world football.

England and Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton made history by becoming the inaugural winner of the award, after a brilliant season that saw her lift Euro 2025 with the Lionesses and guide Chelsea to a domestic treble. Germany’s Ann-Katrin Berger took second place, while Spain’s young star Cata Coll of Barcelona completed the top three.

For Nnadozie, this recognition is another feather in her cap and a reflection of her steady rise on the international scene. 

Many football fans still remember her heroics at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where she produced a jaw-dropping performance in Nigeria’s 3–2 victory over co-hosts Australia, a display that earned her the Player of the Match award.

Since then, she has become one of Africa’s most respected goalkeepers, earning praise for her sharp reflexes, penalty-saving skills, and commanding presence between the sticks. 

At Paris FC, she has been a standout performer, consistently delivering match-winning saves and helping the French side compete against Europe’s biggest clubs.

Hampton’s historic win capped a memorable year in which she recorded 13 clean sheets in the Women’s Super League, clinched the Golden Glove, and stood tall for England in their European triumph.

For Nnadozie, however, the journey is only beginning. Her fourth-place finish in this global ranking not only cements her status as one of the best in the game but also shines a spotlight on Nigerian women’s football.

From Owerri, where her career began, to Paris, where she now commands the posts, Chiamaka Nnadozie’s story is one of resilience, growth, and unshakable determination. And if her trajectory is anything to go by, this may not be the last time her name rings out on football’s biggest stage.