Temwa Chawinga Becomes First African Woman in Ballon d'Or Top 10

Temwa Chawinga, a forward for Kansas City Current, has made history by becoming the first African woman to finish in the top 10 of the women's Ballon d'Or rankings. Born on September 20, 1998, in Rumphi District, Malawi, Chawinga has established herself as a prominent figure in women's football.

She won four consecutive Chinese Women’s Super League titles with Wuhan Jianghan University from 2020 to 2023 before moving to the United States, where she won the NWSL x Liga MX Femenil Summer Cup in 2024 and the NWSL Shield in 2025. Chawinga has also been recognized individually, winning the NWSL Most Valuable Player award in 2024 and 2025, as well as the Golden Boot in both years.

Additionally, she was awarded the Chinese Women’s Super League Golden Boot in 2022 and 2023 and named the world’s best top goal scorer by the IFFHS in 2023. Her achievement in the Ballon d'Or rankings underscores her growing international recognition alongside other top players from Europe and the Caribbean.