Khadija Shaw: The Greatest Jamaican Player of All Time

Khadija Shaw is the greatest footballer, male or female, from Jamaica, setting goal-scoring records throughout her career. She is also one of the most prolific strikers in the English Women’s Super League alongside Sam Kerr, Vivianne Miedema and Beth England.

Alongside Lauren Hemp, Chloe Kelly and Yui Hasegawa, Khadija has helped Man City to challenge for honours. Shaw’s journey has put Jamaica on football’s global map; let us explore her journey from Jamaica to excel in the WSL.

Player Profile – Khadija Monifa “Bunny” Shaw

Khadija Monifa “Bunny” Shaw, born on January 31, 1997, is a Jamaican professional footballer who excels as a forward for Manchester City in the Women’s Super League (WSL) and leads the Jamaica national team as captain.

She is known for her exceptional goal-scoring ability; Shaw is distinguished as Manchester City’s all-time top scorer and Jamaica’s record scorer across genders.

Khadija is celebrated for her speed, technical prowess, and clinical finishing skills, which have earned her multiple awards and accolades, including CONCACAF Player of the Year in 2022.

Shaw’s dynamic performances have cemented her status as a standout talent in women’s football, recognized for her scoring prowess and her leadership both on and off the pitch.

Player Profile Overview

Khadija Shaw’s Early Life and Background

Khadija Shaw was born in Spanish Town, Jamaica, to George Shaw, her father, who is a shoemaker, and Monica, her mother, who is a chicken farmer. She was the youngest of 13 siblings and nicknamed ‘Bunny’ by her brother Kentardo due to her love for carrots.

Shaw attended St. Jago High School and started playing football with her older brothers, being coached by Kentardo from age 10. At 13, she joined the Jamaica U15 team.

She received scholarship offers from Navarro College in Texas and Eastern Florida State College, eventually being scouted by the University of Tennessee, where she earned a degree in communication.

Khadija Shaw’s Playing Style and Strengths

Khadija Shaw is a versatile striker known for her ability to hold the ball, create chances for teammates, and contribute defensively. Her strong aerial presence helps in defending set-pieces and leading the team’s press.

Shaw’s diverse skill set makes her difficult to defend against; she excels in physical battles, poses a threat from crosses, and often draws multiple defenders, opening up space for her teammates.

She’s also adept at making runs behind the defence for one-on-one opportunities and possesses impressive technical skills, allowing her to create scoring chances through individual skill and can score from range.

The Emergence of Khadija Shaw: From College to Semi-Pro

Khadija Shaw began her college soccer career at Eastern Florida State College, where she earned NSCAA first-team National Junior College Athletic Association All-America honours in 2016.

In 2017, she transferred to the University of Tennessee and transitioned from a midfielder to a striker under Coach Brian Pensky. Shaw was named to the All-SEC first team in both seasons with Tennessee and was the SEC Offensive Player of the Year in her senior year in 2018.

After college, she opted not to enter the NWSL Draft but instead explored opportunities in Europe and Asia. Khadija Shaw played for the WPSL semi-pro team Florida Krush for a season before moving to Europe.

Khadija Shaw’s European Journey

On June 7, 2019, D1 Féminine team Bordeaux announced the signing of Khadija Shaw on a two-year contract. She made her professional debut on August 25, 2019, against FC Fleury 91, scoring two goals in a 4–1 victory.

In her second game, she scored another brace in an away match against Dijon FCO. In her first season, Shaw scored 10 goals and provided five assists in 15 league matches.

Winning the Golden Boot

The following season, Khadija Shaw continued her impressive form for Bordeaux, scoring four goals in a 6–1 victory over FC Fleury 91. She also scored hat-tricks against Dijon FCO in a 5–1 home victory and against Stade de Reims, leading Bordeaux to a 7–1 win.

Shaw’s outstanding performance earned her the Division 1 Féminine Player of the Month awards for October 2020 and January 2021. She finished her second league season with 22 goals and seven assists in 20 matches, becoming the top scorer, narrowly beating Marie-Antoinette Katoto.

Khadija Shaw was named to the Trophées FFF D1 Féminine 2020–2021 Team of the Year and was nominated for the best Player of the Season awards by both Trophées UNFP du football and Trophées FFF D1 Féminine but was beaten by Kadidiatou Diani for both.

Moving to the WSL in England

Manchester City announced the signing of Khadija Shaw from Bordeaux on a three-year deal. In her first season, Shaw primarily served as the second-choice striker behind Ellen White.

She scored her first hat-trick for the club in a 6-0 FA Cup win against Leicester City and was the joint top scorer of the 2021-22 FA League Cup.

Khadija Shaw earned a winner’s medal as Manchester City defeated Chelsea 3-1 in the League Cup final. She also scored four goals in a 7-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the Super League, finishing her first season as the team’s second-highest goalscorer with 16 goals.

CONCACAF Player of the Year

Khadija Shaw had a standout second season with Manchester City, becoming the first-choice striker after Ellen White‘s retirement.

She scored twice in a 2–1 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion, bringing her total to 26 goals in 22 games and breaking the club’s single-season scoring record previously held by Nikita Parris. Shaw was named the 2022 CONCACAF Female Player of the Year, the first Caribbean player to win the award.

By the end of the 2022–23 season, she scored 31 goals in 30 games across all competitions and was named Manchester City’s player of the season. Shaw also scored her 50th club goal in a 3–2 win over Everton on 27 May.

Shaw narrowly missed out on the Super League Golden Boot to Rachel Daly; however, she was named in the 2023 PFA WSL Team of the Year and was one of 30 candidates for the Ballon d’Or.

Equalling the WSL Hattrick Record

Khadija Shaw scored a first-half hat trick in a 7–0 victory against Tottenham and followed this with another hat trick against Everton. Her goal against Everton made her the WSL top scorer with 9 goals in 9 appearances, and was named WSL Player of the Month for December 2023.

Shaw scored her third hat trick of the season against Liverpool, tying with Arsenal’s Vivianne Miedema for the most hat tricks in the league. She scored the decisive goal in a 1–0 victory against Chelsea, bringing Manchester City level on points with Chelsea at the top of the league.

The Jamaican also scored in a 2–1 win over Everton on 2 March 2024, putting Manchester City at the top of the league. Shaw became Manchester City’s all-time leading goalscorer with her 68th goal in 81 appearances during a 3–1 win over Manchester United.

On 3 May, she was named FWA Women’s Footballer of the Year and earned the Super League Player of the Season title. However, despite her impressive performances for Man City, they missed out on the league title to Emma Hayes and her Chelsea side on the final day of the season.

Khadija Shaw’s International Career

Khadija Shaw started her international career with the Jamaican U15 side; she also represented Jamaica at the U17 and U20 levels.

She made her senior international debut on August 23, 2015, scoring twice in a 6-0 victory over the Dominican Republic during Olympic qualifiers.

Shaw was instrumental in Jamaica’s historic qualification for the 2019 Women’s World Cup, making them the first Caribbean nation to qualify for the tournament.

She also led Jamaica to the 2023 World Cup, where they advanced to the Round of 16, marking the first time either the women’s or men’s national team had reached the knockout stage of a World Cup.

Goal Scoring Exploits

Khadija Shaw is one of the most prolific players from Jamaica, both in the male and female categories. She is also one of the most popular players from Jamaica and the Caribbean.

Shaw has played 42 times for the Jamaican national team and scored a whopping 55 goals for the Reggae Girlz. Similarly, at the club level, she has broken Manchester City goal-scoring records for league goals in a single season and the highest number of hattricks.

She also became the best goal-scorer in Manchester City history and recently won the Golden Boot in the WSL to cement her name as one of City’s best forwards ever.

Influences and Idols

Khadija Shaw, known for her prolific scoring, height, and physicality, models her game after Polish forward Robert Lewandowski. She cites her best attributes as her strength, dynamism in and around the box, and team-first mentality, just like her idol.

Shaw describes herself as a simple player who focuses on physicality and doing her best. She admires Lewandowski’s playstyle and goal-scoring ability, often emulating his movements and runs. Khadija Shaw views herself as an up-and-coming player and is eager to start training and further develop her skills.

Off the Field: Khadija Shaw

Khadija Shaw has been outspoken about the significance of dismantling obstacles for girls in sports, leveraging her platform to encourage others to pursue their aspirations.

Her path to becoming a professional footballer against considerable odds serves as a source of inspiration not just for young girls in the Caribbean, but for aspiring athletes worldwide.

Conclusion

Khadija Shaw’s journey from humble beginnings in Spanish Town, Jamaica, to becoming a standout professional footballer is a testament to her determination and talent.

From overcoming challenges and changing positions from midfield to attack and using her platform to advocate for gender equality in sports, inspiring young girls globally to pursue their dreams. Her story exemplifies resilience, leadership, and a commitment to breaking barriers, leaving a lasting impact on football and beyond.