Super Falcons defender Michelle Alozie has described her nomination for the FIFPro World XI as a recognition of her work with the national team.
Alozie was listed among the 26 nominees for the 2025 FIFPro World XaI in October.
The FIFPro World XI is the only global football award voted for exclusively by professional footballers.
Alozie was one of three Africans nominated, having prominently featured in the Super Falcons’ record-extending 10th WAFCON triumph in Morocco earlier this year. Other African players on the nomination list were Moroccan captain Ghizlane Chebbak and Zambia skipper Barbra Banda.
Despite not making the final XI, the former Houston Dash player expressed gratitude for the recognition.
‘That’s amazing, especially because FIFPro is based on players’ votes. Just to know that I’m seen by my peers and considered among the best XI means a lot. It says a lot about what Nigeria did as a team to get me there, and I am very honoured’, she told PUNCH Sports Extra in Lagos.
The 28-year-old recently completed a three-year move to Chicago Stars FC from Houston Dash.
The National Women’s Soccer League club confirmed the signing last Tuesday, with Alozie’s contract running through the 2028 season at their new home, Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston, Illinois.
The move ended a productive four-year spell with Houston Dash, where she evolved from a national team replacement player in 2021 into a regular contributor, making 75 appearances, scoring seven goals, and providing two assists.
Alozie enjoyed a breakout 2023 campaign, becoming the joint leading goalscorer for the Dash with four goals, after previously helping the club reach their first-ever NWSL playoffs in 2022 with two goals in 10 appearances.
She has also represented Nigeria at the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Olympic Games.
