The World Cup trophy is not the only thing up for grabs this summer, with the globe's best players also battling it out for the Golden Ball

You can't win a Women's World Cup on your own, but some previous Golden Ball winners have come pretty close. A look back through prior tournaments reveals a long list of players who have dragged their teams – kicking and screaming in some cases – to glory.

Most recently, Megan Rapinoe lit up the 2019 World Cup in France, propelling the United States into the final four with successive braces in the knockout stages, before grabbing the breakthrough in the final against the Netherlands.

Eight years prior, Homare Sawa was honoured with the award after a thrilling campaign which ended with her sending Japan's final against the U.S. to penalties with a 117th-minute strike. And these are just two of the long list of Golden Ball winners who have etched their names in the history books with a game-changing summer performance.

The stars on show at the 2023 Women's World Cup will have been dreaming of having a similarly decisive impact on their team's fortunes, and with the line-up for the final now set, GOAL has taken a look at which players are in the running to be awarded the Golden Ball this time around:

Getty Images12Kadidiatou Diani (France)

France took a while to get going at this World Cup, limping to a goalless draw against Jamaica in their opener. After that though, they burst into life, with Kadidiatou Diani's performances playing a pivotal role.

She created Eugenie Le Sommer's goal against Brazil with a towering header and then helped herself to a hat-trick in a 6-3 mauling of Panama. Diani only got better in the knockout stages, opening the scoring against Morocco with a controlled header before setting up Kenza Dali and Le Sommer again in a 4-0 victory.

Unfortunately for the Lyon forward, she could not prevent Les Bleues crashing out to Australia in the quarter-finals. Diani's numbers – four goals and three assists – are mightily impressive, but you really need to be at least reaching the final four to be considered for the Golden Ball.

AdvertisementGetty Images11Hinata Miyazawa (Japan)

Japan defeated Zambia 5-0 in their opening game, with two of those goals being scored by Miyazawa. Operating in the top-left corner of her side's box midfield, she showed her off-the-ball intelligence throughout, timing her runs into the box perfectly for each of her well-taken goals.

This set the tone for a breakout tournament, with two more goals in Japan's statement demolition of Spain making her the outright World Cup top scorer ahead of some much bigger names. She netted again in the round of 16 against Norway, keeping her one goal clear in the Golden Boot charts.

However, like Diani, Miyazawa's chances of scooping the top individual prize were curtailed by her side's last-eight exit. She could still claim the Golden Boot, though.

Getty10Lauren James (England)

After inexplicably being left out of England's tournament opener against Haiti, James had a point to prove against Denmark. And it took her less than six minutes to find the back of the net. This was nothing compared to her performance against China, though.

During that one James dropped an all-time great World Cup performance, netting two absolute stunners and registering a hat-trick of assists. She should've had three goals too, if not for a controversial offside call.

However, James' tournament threatens to be tainted by her petulant stamp on Nigeria's Michelle Alozie in the last 16. England still made it through, but like David Beckham and Wayne Rooney before her, the moment of madness might have cost her country dearly. She is at least back for the final and James will need to put in another match-winning display in Sydney to get back in contention for the Golden Ball.

Getty Images9Steph Catley (Australia)

Australia were handed a potential banana skin in their much-anticipated opening game against Ireland, and for a time it seemed like the underdogs might spring a shock. However, the Matildas were gifted a lifeline when Hayley Raso was bundled over in the penalty area, giving captain Steph Catley the chance to put her side ahead. She made no mistake from the spot, putting the cherry on top of a composed defensive display.

It was more of the same against Canada, with the Arsenal star defending stoically and putting the gloss on a 4-0 victory by scoring another penalty in the 94th minute. Catley also breezed through her side's victory over Denmark in the last 16 and was typically solid as Australia vanquished France on penalties in the quarter-finals.

Usually reliable from the 12 yards, Catley missed her spot-kick against Les Bleues, but the Matildas still got the job done. Any realistic notions of her winning the Golden Ball ended with Australia's elimination at the hands of England, though.