As I sat among the 8,175 fans at that electrifying May 18 matchup in Rizal province, watching Rain or Shine battle Magnolia while San Miguel faced Terrafirma in the curtain-raiser, I couldn't help but draw parallels between basketball's rising popularity in the Philippines and the global conversation surrounding women's soccer. The energy in that stadium was palpable - every dribble, every shot, every defensive stop mattered. And it struck me that this same intensity surrounds the ongoing debate about who truly deserves the title of best women's soccer player in the world today.

Having followed women's football across multiple continents for over a decade, I've witnessed the evolution of the game firsthand. The conversation has shifted dramatically from simply recognizing talented players to analyzing complete athletes who redefine positional excellence. When I look at the current landscape, three names consistently dominate discussions: Spain's Alexia Putellas, England's Beth Mead, and Australia's Sam Kerr. Each brings something unique to the pitch that makes this debate so compelling and frankly, difficult to resolve.

Let's start with Alexia Putellas, the Barcelona maestro who claimed back-to-back Ballon d'Or Féminin awards in 2021 and 2022. What makes her special isn't just her technical brilliance but her footballing intelligence. I've watched her dismantle organized defenses with what appears to be effortless grace. Her statistics speak volumes - 34 goals and 21 assists across all competitions during her 2021-22 campaign before that unfortunate ACL injury. But numbers alone don't capture her influence. She controls games with an almost psychic understanding of space and timing. When I analyze her performances, what stands out is her decision-making under pressure. She consistently makes the right choice whether it's a final pass, a shot from distance, or simply retaining possession. Her recent comeback from injury has been remarkable, though I must admit I'm still waiting to see if she can reclaim that pre-injury dominance that made her virtually unstoppable.

Then there's Beth Mead, whose 2022 was nothing short of spectacular. Her 11 goals and 8 assists during England's European Championship triumph showcased a player at the peak of her powers. What I find most impressive about Mead is her versatility - she can beat defenders with pace, create chances from nothing, and finish with either foot. Her chemistry with fellow attackers is exceptional, something I've observed developing over years of watching Arsenal's system. The way she reads developing plays reminds me of top basketball playmakers, similar to how Magnolia's point guard orchestrated their offense during that May 18 matchup I attended. Statistics show she created 2.3 chances per game during the Euros while maintaining a 84% pass completion rate in the final third. These aren't just good numbers - they're game-changing figures.

Sam Kerr represents yet another dimension of excellence. Her athleticism is frankly ridiculous - I've never seen a striker with her combination of vertical leap and technical finishing. Watching her play for Chelsea, I'm constantly amazed by her ability to score from seemingly impossible angles. Her 29 goals across all competitions last season included 6 game-winning strikes in the final 15 minutes of matches. That clutch factor is something you can't teach. What often goes unnoticed in Kerr's game is her defensive work rate. She consistently presses opposing defenders into mistakes, creating additional scoring opportunities for her team. Having watched her develop from her early days in the W-League to her current status as a global superstar, I believe she's the most complete striker in women's football today.

The challenge in declaring one player as definitively the best lies in the different criteria we value. If we're talking pure technical ability and game control, Putellas stands alone. For consistent offensive production and big-game performances, Kerr has the strongest case. When considering overall impact on team success and versatility, Mead presents a compelling argument. Personally, I lean toward Kerr as the current top player because of her proven ability to deliver in critical moments across multiple leagues and international competitions. Her performance in Chelsea's Champions League campaign last season, where she scored 8 goals in 9 appearances despite facing constant double-teams, demonstrated a level of excellence that I find most impressive.

What makes this era of women's football so exciting is that we're not lacking candidates for this honor. The quality has improved so dramatically that we're essentially splitting hairs between exceptional athletes at the peak of their powers. Just like that basketball game in Rizal province where every possession mattered, the margin between these elite footballers is incredibly thin. They've each had moments where they've clearly been the best player on the planet, but maintaining that status requires consistent excellence that few can sustain.

As the women's game continues to grow, with attendance records being broken regularly - much like the 8,175 fans who showed up for that Philippine basketball doubleheader - we're witnessing the elevation of standards across the board. The best player today might not hold that title tomorrow, and that competitive volatility is what makes following women's football so rewarding. Based on current form, overall impact, and proven track record against elite competition, I'd give the slight edge to Sam Kerr, though I fully acknowledge reasonable people could make strong cases for Putellas or Mead. What's undeniable is that we're privileged to watch these extraordinary athletes redefine what's possible in women's football.