Six players you cannot miss at the Women's World Cup | OneFootball

The women’s World Cup kicks off on Friday and we know what you’re thinking – who should I look out for? Where are the most interesting stories?

Not to worry, you’ve come to the right place.

Here are just a few of the players to look out for.

The record goalscorer – Marta, Brazil, 33

The six-time women’s world footballer of the year is an obvious choice, no? Marta’s 15 goals in 17 World Cup finals appearances is a record and she still has the time, and the quality, to add to that tally.

With impressive vision and superb technique, Marta often drops into midfield to help Brazil build attacks but has still managed to score an astounding 72 goals in 92 international games. The ultimate role model for her team-mates.

But the World Cup is still missing for the 33-year-old as he career approaches its end. And for all her class, that’s unlikely to change with Brazil currently tenth in the world rankings.

Speaking about the future, Marta has explained her plans.

“I am thinking of continuing to work in women’s football, promoting development and getting more girls and women to play football,” the Brazil skipper says.

Let’s be honest, that’s worth more than a World Cup anyway.

Olympic gold winner – Sara Däbritz, Germany, 23

From SC Freiburg to Bayern Munich 2015, now to Paris Saint-Germain this summer, Däbritz is already carving out a pretty impressive career for herself.

Last season, her last with Bayern, saw her score 13 goals and provide nine assists as the team finished second in the Bundesliga. The offensive midfielder will play a crucial role in Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s team, and rightly so.

Däbritz has outstanding vision, technical excellence and has worked on her form in front of goal. The 23-year-old is the ideal player to spur on Germany’s offensive game.

An Olympic gold medalist, a European champion, an U-20 world champion, an U-17 European champion.

It’s a list crying out to have ‘world champion’ added to it.

The activist – Megan Rapinoe, USWNT, 33

The world champion from 2015 is a born leader, on and off the pitch. The winger from California made her national team debut at the age of 21, then made her big breakthrough at the 2011 World Cup in Germany.

With her carefree manner on the pitch, her incredible trickery, and her passing she brought a splash of peroxide blonde colour to the athletic and physique-orientated American game.

After netting against Colombia in 2011, she headed for an off-pitch microphone in the corner of the pitch before singing “Born in the USA” to the world.

One Olympic gold medal and one World Cup winners’ medal later, she’s back to do it again.

Most impressively, Rapnioe has always been very aware of her visibility as a top class athlete and the position it gives her as a role model. In a game in 2016, she joined the protests against racial injustice of NFL star Colin Kaepernick and knelt down during the national anthem.

On top of that, the 33-year-old is vocal in her campaign for equal rights for the LGBTQ community.

As one of three captains selected by USWNT boss Jill Ellis, Rapinoe’s leadership qualities will be crucial this summer.

Stepping out of the shadows – Caroline Graham Hansen, Norway, 24

Norway are no strangers to success in the women’s game and they’ve hit headlines again this year with Ada Hegerberg winning the Ballon d’Or.

But Hegerberg won’t be at the World Cup out of protest. If someone can make up for her absence, it’s Caroline Hansen.

The brilliantly talented forward, who has just completed a move from Wolfsburg to Barcelona, made her international debut at 16.

Over the past few years, the now-24-year-old has dominated the German Bundesliga as Wolfsburg’s key player – a strategist and a leader, she could really deliver at this tournament.

Both footed and a good finisher, Hansen will be at her first World Cup this summer after missing 2015 through injury. If she shines, Norway may not even miss their Ballon d’Or winner.

America’s next star – Mallory Pugh, USWNT, 21

Mallory Pugh started playing football at the age of two and was spotted by US national team scouts at 12. From then, she dominated all the way through the youth ranks, often as captain, and is now considered the biggest jewel in the crown that is women’s football in America.

Pugh’s speed and technique make her one of the most dangerous forwards at this summer’s tournament.

She will not necessarily play regularly from the start in France, though. More experienced players such as Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan or Tobin Heath are still preferred. But there will be opportunities.

“You’re in the 70th minute and you’re exhausted and suddenly Mal Pugh is running at you,” USWNT coach Jill Ellis explained when asked how her role may look.

“She doesn’t have to take the weight of the world on her shoulders right now.” But she might.

The eternal flame – Formiga, Brazil, 41

Just like with the men’s World Cup, the women’s tournament takes place every four years. Somehow, though, she is about to appear in her SEVENTH World Cup.

After ‘missing’ the inaugural competition in 1991, the PSG midfielder has taken part in every edition since.

In 2016, she retired from international football, ending a 21-year Brazil career. However, she was persuaded to return for last year’s Copa América.

If she features in France, Formiga would become the oldest player in World Cup history, but there is no less excitement for her than before.

“The anticipation is still as great as at the first tournament and it is my will to win,” she insists And of course it is – Brazil are still, surprisingly – looking to win the Women’s World Cup for the first time.

“We have to win a big tournament like the World Cup or the Olympic Games, we’ll try again and again, we’ll never give up.”