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Women’s World Cup: 10 (non-USWNT) players to watch

By Clemente Lisi

NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 02: Brazil forward Marta (10) passes between two Japan defenders during the SheBelieves Cup match between Brazil and Japan at Nissan Stadium on March 2nd, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - MARCH 02: Brazil forward Marta (10) passes between two Japan defenders during the SheBelieves Cup match between Brazil and Japan at Nissan Stadium on March 2nd, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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The upcoming World Cup is loaded with top superstars. Here’s a look at 10 non-U.S. players to watch for in France.

The World Cup this summer in France will feature some of the best female soccer players on the planet.

The women’s game has evolved dramatically over the past two decades. France 2019 will showcase loads of great players, including veteran stars such as Marta of Brazil and Cristine Sinclair of Canada. At the same time, a younger generation of stars will be looking to make a splash at the tournament.

Missing from the World Cup will be the planet’s best player, striker Ada Hegerberg. The Ballon d’Or Feminin winner has refused to play for Norway since 2017 in an effort to draw attention to the pay differences between the men’s and women’s game.

The Norway and Lyon star will certainly be missed. Nonetheless, there are plenty of other stars to watch for. Here are 10 players (excluding members of the USWNT) to keep an eye on over the next few weeks.

NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 02: Brazil forward Marta (10) passes between two Japan defenders during the SheBelieves Cup match between Brazil and Japan at Nissan Stadium on March 2nd, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – MARCH 02: Brazil forward Marta (10) passes between two Japan defenders during the SheBelieves Cup match between Brazil and Japan at Nissan Stadium on March 2nd, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Marta (Brazil)

The Brazilian superstar is the Women’s World Cup all-time leading scorer with 15 goals, one more than Birgit Prinz and Abby Wambach. She has a real chance to extend that lead in France. The 33-year-old striker has been named FIFA’s best female player five times and as recently as last year.

The No. 10 is widely considered one of the best players ever. Marta was named FIFA’s World Player of the Year six times, five of them consecutively from 2006 to 2010. She also won the prize in 2018. She was also one of six Brazilians to carry her nation’s flag at the 2016 Games in Rio.

Marta, who has played for the Orlando Pride over the past three seasons, has never won a World Cup or Olympic gold, but has collected two silvers at the 2004 and ’08 Summer Games. Could this be the year her and Brazil finally win the top prize?