Around these parts, recognizing the exploits of Juventus Women and Italy striker Cristiana Girelli is nothing new. She’s 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.
But now she’s gotten some international shine, too.
Included in the top 25 for the Ballon d’Or
Féminin field, Girelli found out where she placed ahead of Monday night’s ceremony in Paris. Girelli finished 16th — 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.
Girelli had a fantastic season for Juventus Women and an equally as impressive run at the Women’s Euros this summer in which she led Italy into the semifinals — 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.
At the Euros, Girelli scored three goals — including a goal of the tournament contender against Portugal and a brace in Italy’s quarterfinal win against Norway that extended their historic and unpredictable run.
After Italy’s 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:
“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.”
“Women’s 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.”
“We were one minute away from the final—just 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.”
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’s just a ruthless striker — and that’s clearly something that few were able to replicate over the last 12 months.
