Hannah Hampton: The Trailblazing Goalkeeper Chasing BBC Women's Footballer of the Year

Hannah Hampton, a 24-year-old goalkeeper, is making a strong case for the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year award after her impressive performances for Chelsea and England. She has already achieved numerous accolades, including being named the world's best female goalkeeper at the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony.

By Chris Posiano

October 23, 2025 at 4:25 AM

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Hannah Hampton, the 24-year-old goalkeeper, has emerged as a top contender for the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year award. Her remarkable skills on the field have earned her numerous accolades, including being named the world's best female goalkeeper at the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony.

Hampton's breakthrough performance came when she helped England win Euro 2025, saving two penalties in the final against Spain and doing the same in their quarter-final victory over Sweden. Her outstanding goalkeeping skills were also instrumental in Chelsea's unbeaten Women's Super League campaign, where she kept 13 clean sheets in 22 games and shared the WSL golden glove with Manchester United's Phallon Tullis-Joyce.

Born with a serious eye condition that affected her depth perception, Hampton has defied the odds to become one of the top goalkeepers in the world. She credits her success to her determination to prove doctors wrong, who initially told her she wasn't allowed to play professional sports.

Hampton's experience playing for Chelsea has also been instrumental in her development as a player. She describes the club as a team of "mentality monsters" who are driven to win everything. Her own mentality is equally strong, and she has become a key player for Sarina Wiegman's England side, regularly starting ahead of Mary Earps before her international retirement.

Hampton's advice to her younger self is to "embrace every opportunity" and "enjoy every moment." She believes that her journey to becoming a top goalkeeper was not a deliberate choice but something that chose her, and she is determined to make the most of every opportunity that comes her way.

Analysts have praised Hampton's shot-stopping abilities, which were on full display at the Euros. Her technique, including a "power step" that allows her to dive impressively towards the corner of the goal, has been hailed as a key factor in her success. With her impressive record and determination, Hampton is sure to be a strong contender for the BBC Women's Footballer of the Year award.