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Banda renews with Orlando Pride
Barbra Banda has signed a record deal to stay at Orlando Pride through 2029. NWSL's new High Impact Player (HIP) rules have been used for the new deal
Banda has extended her contract with Orlando for two additional years, which will make her the highest-paid African player—and one of the highest-overall paid in the world—following one of the most dramatic turnarounds ever seen in the NWSL transfer market.
Widely considered the best striker in the world, Banda has been shortlisted in the Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026, She is the first African female footballer to earn three consecutive Ballon d’Or nominations (2024, 2025, and 2026).
The Zambia international joined Orlando Pride in March 2024 and had a historic debut season, when she led the Pride with 13 regular-season goals, the second-most in the NWSL, while scoring in each of the club’s three playoff matches, including the game-winning goal in the NWSL Championship. She was named NWSL Championship MVP and earned 2024 NWSL Best XI First Team honours.
This current season, she has already earned a record-breaking 2026 campaign with the Orlando Pride, scoring 14 goals—a club record for a single season—and providing three assists across all competitions.
In addition to the club award, the star was selected to the FIFPRO Women’s World 11 and became the first African player named BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year. She also won the 2024 African Female Footballer of the Year award.