Who is Barbra Banda? Meet BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year

Barbra Banda has been voted BBC Women's Footballer of the Year.

The Zambian and Orlando Pride forward received the most votes from a panel of experts, including coaches, players, administrators and journalists.

We beat stiff competition from this year's Ballon d'Or winner, Aitana Bonmati, and Sophia Smith of USA and Portland Thorns.

The 24-year-old's victory has been criticized by some women's rights groups and members of the football community as she was previously withdrawn from the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations by team bosses due to alleged 'high testosterone levels'.

Here's everything you need to know about the Zambian striker.

Who is Barbara Banda?

Banda was born on March 20, 2000 in the Zambian capital Lusaka. She started playing soccer around the age of seven.

In 2018, she became the first Zambian woman to play football in Europe when she joined Spanish side Logroño.

She spent two years with the Spanish team, scoring 16 goals in 28 games before joining Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shengli.

In her debut season with the Chinese club, Banda took home the Golden Boot.

After three years, 13 appearances and 18 goals in China, Banda moved to American side Orland Pride this season for a staggering fee of $740,000 (£565,000).

The 24-year-old made an immediate impact, scoring 13 goals in the regular season and a further four in the play-offs, which was an NWSL post-season record.

She also helped Orland Pride win their first NWSL title after scoring the winner against Washington Spirit in the final.

Performance

Exclusion from the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations

In 2022, despite originally being named for the competition, Banda was left out of the Women's Africa Cup of Nations squad in Zambia.

It was later reported that Banda was withdrawn from the squad on 'gender suitability reasons' after team bosses became aware that her 'testosterone levels' were higher than permitted by the Confederation of African Football.

The Zambian FA president said at the time that she had undergone a gender verification test, which did not meet the criteria for the competition.

An investigation completed last year by the Telegraph found there was no suggestion that Banda's testosterone levels were 'anything but naturally occurring'.

Her agent Anton Maksimov said in a statement at the time of the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations that Banda's exclusion was not because she failed a gender test, but that she was removed based on an “evaluation of her physical condition.”

“As her official representative, I can say that Barbra has not been excluded or suspended from participating in the current WAFCON by CAF, FAZ, FIFA or any other governing body.

“She did not undergo any 'gender verification' or 'gender suitability tests' administered prior to the tournament and therefore did not fail. Barbra is also very healthy and fit.

'The decision not to allow Barbra to appear at the tournament at this time is an internal decision by FAZ, based on their own assessment of her physical conditions before she came to Morocco.

“I reiterate that nothing, no existing regulations that we are aware of, prevents Barbra's participation in WAFCON 2022. Barbra has also failed medical tests in this regard.”

How much does Barbara Banda earn?

In March 2024, Banda became the second most expensive women's football player of all time, just behind Racheal Kundananji's $860,000 (£685,000) from Madrid CFF to Bay FC.

The 24-year-old Zambian striker signed for American side Orlando Pride for $740,000 (£565,000).

With a contract worth around $500,000 (£382,000) per year, Banda is one of the highest-paid players in the NWSL.

When Orlando Pride announced her signing, sporting director Haley Carter described Banda as “a natural goalscorer and one of the most physically imposing strikers in the world.”