From farm work to world star » She's Ewa, the best striker in the world and Barcelona's top scorer

Born in 1996, Pajor grew up in Poland in a farming family, and her childhood involved more responsibilities than training. In 2025, she won the Gerd Muller Award, for the best striker in the world in women's football.

Ewa Pajor, farm work before football

Before school or football, Ewa helped on the farm, took care of the animals. Still, she says she's grateful for how she grew up.

“Life on the farm made me strong, both physically and mentally. It taught me discipline and how to work hard every day,” she said in an interview, according to olympics.com.

Every morning, before school or training, I had to help with the chores on the farm. It wasn't easy, but it made me responsible and taught me not to give up.

I had no specialized training as a child, but running after animals and working in the fields gave me a natural physical training.

– Ewa Pajor

A tragedy that accelerated maturation

When she was only 16, her father died, and this loss had a profound impact on the family. Football became a refuge and a constant for her during an unstable time.

About that difficult period, Ewa confesses: “It was a hard loss, but football gave me meaning and direction. I learned to never give up.”

The U17 World Cup and the launch into professional football

In 2013, at the U17 Women's World Championship, Pajor became the top scorer of the tournament and the best player of the competition. For the Polish international, it was a surprising moment, her country not being one to place much emphasis on women's football.

At that time, Ewa was playing in Poland, in the Medyk Konin team, and in 2 years spent there she managed to score 64 goals in 60 matches played.

And for the Polish U17 national team, she scored 15 times in just 17 games played, until she was promoted to the U19.

After the U17 World Cup, she caught the eye of Wolfsburg, one of the best teams in European women's football.

Wolfsburg, the place where it was constantly built

In 2015, Pajor signed with Wolfsburg. Initially, she was part of the second team squad, and after eight matches she was promoted to the senior team.

Since then, she has remained with the German team until 2024. She has played 197 matches for Wolfsburg.

148 goalsscored Ewa Pajor in the 9 spent at Wolfsburg

During his time at Wolfsburg, he won 5 Bundesliga trophies and 9 German Cups. Moreover, he was in the Champions League final 4 times, but lost each time.

The leader of Poland

After playing 7 matches for the U19 national team, also in 2013, at the age of 17, she also made her debut for the senior team of Poland.

Since then, she passed the 100-match mark for the national team, and in time she also received the captain's armband, which she still wears today.

“I am proud to wear the armband and represent Poland, even if the road is difficult. I want football in Poland to be professional, just like here in Spain or Germany, in two or three years… we have potential and I think we will get better,” she said, according to the quoted source.

Ewa Pajor/ photo: Imago

Barcelona and today's success

After almost a decade at Wolfsburg, Pajor arrived at Barcelona in 2024 and has already won a LaLiga, a Cup and a Super Cup.

After 61 games played for Barcelona in a season and a half, Ewa Pajor got her name on the scoreboard 56 times and provided 15 assists for her teammates during that time.

“At Barcelona I found an environment that allows me to grow and develop, both as a player and as a person. I want to win trophies and inspire future generations,” Ewa said at the time.

After his first season at Barcelona, ​​he won the Gerd Muller award for the 2024-2025 season. He received the trophy at the Ballon d'Or gala in October.