Lieke Martens

Not many fans were tipping the hosts, the Netherlands, to go the distance on home soil at the beginning of UEFA Women's EURO 2017. Then again, no-one could have imagined the impact Lieke Martens would have on the tournament. The Dutch sensation's captivating skills – honed at clubs all across Europe from the Netherlands to Belgium, Germany, Sweden and now Spain – dazzled the world as she inspired her nation to their first ever major honour in the women's game. An unbelievable calendar year was capped, not only by a move to FC Barcelona, but with individual awards in the shape of the UEFA Women's Player of the Year and The Best FIFA Women's Player for 2017. There's no denying it: this powerful yet silky smooth forward is most certainly one of the brightest lights in the women's game.