{"id":2372,"date":"2025-09-23T16:03:31","date_gmt":"2025-09-23T16:03:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.matteocoachperformance.it\/?p=2372"},"modified":"2025-09-23T16:03:31","modified_gmt":"2025-09-23T16:03:31","slug":"girelli-finishes-16th-in-ballon-dor-feminin-voting-yildiz-fifth-in-kopa-trophy-race","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.matteocoachperformance.it\/?p=2372","title":{"rendered":"Girelli finishes 16th in Ballon d\u2019Or F\u00e9minin voting; Yildiz fifth in Kopa Trophy race"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Around these parts, recognizing the exploits of Juventus Women and Italy striker Cristiana Girelli is nothing new. She\u2019s been a key piece of title-winning squads ever since she arrived in Turin from Brescia in 2018, rocking the same number as the Juve player she grew up idolizing (and celebrates goals like) and being a pillar of consistency and excellence even as she heads into the final years of her career.<\/p>\n

But now she\u2019s gotten some international shine, too.<\/p>\n

Included in the top 25 for the Ballon d\u2019Or F\u00e9minin field, Girelli found out where she placed ahead of Monday night\u2019s ceremony in Paris. Girelli finished 16th \u2014 the highest ever for an Italian player and first-ever for somebody who calls Juventus Women their club. Girelli was joined in the top 25 by former club teammate and fellow Italian striker Sofia Cantore, who finished 24th in the voting as she looks continue the momentum she had during the 2024-25 season with Juventus Women as she continues the early stages of her time with the Washington Spirit in the NWSL.<\/p>\n

The other Juventus No. 10 who was there with Girelli as part of the Bianconeri contingent, Kenan Yildiz, finished fifth in voting for the Kppa Trophy, given to the best player under the age of 21 years old. Unsurprisingly, it was Barcelona star Lamine Yamal who took home the trophy on a night in which he also finished second to Ousmane Demb\u00e9l\u00e9 for the men\u2019s Ballon d\u2019Or.<\/p>\n

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Ranked at the 16th place for the 2025 Women's Ballon d'Or!<\/p>\n

Cristiana Girelli
Juventus Turin
Italy#ballondor<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/S6JqFcmMH9<\/a><\/p>\n

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) September 22, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Girelli had a fantastic season for Juventus Women and an equally as impressive run at the Women\u2019s Euros this summer in which she led Italy into the semifinals \u2014 and nearly capping a dream run into the final. In playing a huge part in Juve becoming Serie A Women champions once more, she scored a league-high 19 goals.<\/p>\n

At the Euros, Girelli scored three goals \u2014 including a goal of the tournament contender against Portugal<\/a> and a brace in Italy\u2019s quarterfinal win against Norway that extended their historic and unpredictable run.<\/p>\n

After Italy\u2019s semifinal loss to England, Girelli gave an impassioned speech as the team met with Italian president Sergio Mattarella in Rome. Part of it involved the following message:<\/p>\n

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“Every field where a girl can feel free to dream, every school that recognizes sport as a universal language, every society that puts people at its center is a step toward a better nation.”<\/p>\n

“Women\u2019s football in Italy has taken huge strides, but it is still hungry. It is no longer a novelty; it is a living, beautiful, authentic reality that needs only trust, planning, and vision.\u201d<\/p>\n

“We were one minute away from the final\u2014just one minute. But that minute does not define us. We are defined by the journey, the shared effort, the genuine tears, and the fierce desire to prove that we deserve respect, visibility, and a future.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Who knows how many more seasons she plans on playing, but it sure has been a joy to see her continue to have such a high level of play as she gets older. She\u2019s just a ruthless striker \u2014 and that\u2019s clearly something that few were able to replicate over the last 12 months.<\/p>\n