Malawi makes Ballon dÓr history through Temwa
Malawian football phenom Temwa Chawinga has rewritten the record books, becoming the first African woman in history to break into the top 10 of the Women’s Ballon d’Or. At the prestigious awards ceremony held in London, the 28-year-old Kansas City Current striker placed 10th in the world, cementing her status as an elite global icon. With this achievement, Chawinga officially surpasses the previous African record set by Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala, who finished 12th in 2023.
Chawinga’s historic Ballon d’Or placement caps off an extraordinary period of domestic and international dominance, having evolved into one of the most lethal forces in the women’s game. Since moving to the United States, she has taken the National Women’s Soccer League by storm, securing consecutive NWSL MVP and Golden Boot awards for both the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
This made her the first player in league history to win back-to-back MVPs. Furthermore, she shattered league records by becoming the fastest player in NWSL history to reach 50 goal contributions in just 53 matches, and the fastest to net 30 regular-season goals in only 40 appearances.
Her impact stretches far beyond club football. On the international stage, Chawinga recently claimed the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations Golden Boot after scoring five goals. Her masterclass performance guided the Malawi Scorchers to their historic first-ever WAFCON final and mathematically sealed the nation’s landmark qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Her current form is a continuation of her historic 2023 calendar year in China, where she finished as the world’s outright top goal scorer with 63 goals, becoming the first African player to ever lead the world in scoring. With the 2027 World Cup on the horizon, Chawinga’s historic top-10 Ballon d’Or finish signals a shifting tide in women’s football, proving that talent from smaller footballing nations can conquer the grandest stages in the world.
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