Sarina Wiegman: The Architect of a New Era in Women’s Football
Great managers don’t just win trophies—they transform the game. And tonight in Paris, Sarina Wiegman’s legacy was written in gold as she was crowned the winner of the Women’s Johan Cruyff Trophy at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.
At 55, the Dutch visionary has redefined what it means to lead on the biggest stage. Her journey began with the Netherlands, where she guided the Oranje Leeuwinnen to their first-ever UEFA Women’s Euro title in 2017, before taking them all the way to the FIFA Women’s World Cup final in 2019, where they finished as runners-up to the United States. She turned a nation of hopefuls into champions and contenders, giving Dutch women’s football a golden identity and global recognition.
And when she took charge of England, she repeated the magic. Wiegman transformed the Lionesses into a powerhouse—delivering the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 triumph at Wembley, guiding them to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup final, and then making history once again with the Euro 2025 victory, becoming the first coach ever to win the European Championship three times with two different nations. With her at the helm, England have not just competed—they have believed, dominated, and inspired.
Her calm authority, tactical intelligence, and unmatched ability to inspire have made her not just a coach, but a symbol of modern football leadership. Her career mirrors the philosophy of Johan Cruyff himself: bold, intelligent, and beautifully uncompromising.
This award is more than personal recognition—it is a tribute to every barrier she has broken, every glass ceiling shattered, and every player whose career she has elevated. Wiegman’s story is proof that leadership is not about words alone, but about inspiring belief, forging unity, and daring to dream bigger than ever before.
From The Hague to London, from Oranje to Lionesses, Sarina Wiegman has become the beating heart of women’s football’s greatest rise. Ballon d’Or night, Paris simply confirmed what the world already knew: she is the best in the world.
The Johan Cruyff Trophy has found its rightful champion.