The UEFA Women's Euros 2025 has already highlighted some fresh talent ready to leave an indelible mark on the tournament.
Among Belgium's exciting contingent, Mariam Toloba, a dynamic striker for French Première Ligue side FC Nantes, is a name that warrants close attention.
Toloba has a history of making headlines, including a UEFA Goal of the Year nomination as a teenager, and is poised to be a key figure for her national team this summer and beyond.
Mariam Toloba career highlights
After coming through the youth ranks, Mariam Toloba made her debut in the Belgian Women's Super League at just 15 with Gent.
Her early career was spotlighted by a nomination for UEFA's Goal of the Year in 2015 for a Dennis Bergkamp-style goal, placing her alongside global stars like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Toloba then moved to Anderlecht, where she was part of four consecutive league title-winning teams. In 2023, she joined Standard Fémina de Liège, where she continued her prolific form, scoring the winning goal in the 2025 Belgian Cup Final and being named the Belgian Women's Footballer of the Year. Her impressive performances led to a move to FC Nantes in France for the 2025/26 season.
Toloba's playing style is characterised by her explosive pace, clinical finishing, and versatility across the forward line. As a natural striker, she possesses an excellent instinct for goal, often finding herself in the right place at the right time.
She is adept at running in behind defences, using her speed to break away from markers. Beyond her direct goal threat, Mariam is also capable of dropping deeper to link play, using her strength to hold up the ball and bring teammates into the attack. Her ability to score a variety of goals, combined with her relentless work rate, makes her a problem for opposition defenders.
Mariam Toloba: Why should we remember her name?
Mariam Toloba is a talent to keep watch of at Euro 2025, here’s why:
- Prolific goalscoring: Toloba's most significant strength is her ability to score goals. She has consistently found the back of the net throughout her career in Belgium and has already demonstrated her scoring touch for the national team. Her predatory instincts and composure in front of goal make her a vital asset for Belgium, especially in tight tournament matches where chances can be at a premium.
- Explosive pace and directness: Toloba blistering pace allows her to stretch defences and exploit spaces in behind. She is a direct threat, always looking to drive towards goal or run onto through balls. This dynamism can inject urgency into Belgium's attack and create openings against even the most organised defences.
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- Versatility: While primarily a central striker, Toloba's attributes allow her to operate effectively across the front line, whether as a second striker or even out wide. This versatility provides Belgium's coaching staff with valuable tactical options, allowing them to adapt their attacking setup to different opponents.
- Momentum from recent success: Coming off a season where she won the Belgian Cup and was named Player of the Year, Toloba enters Euro 2025 with significant confidence and momentum. Her recent move to a French club also signals her ambition and continued development.
Mariam Toloba: Euro 2025 impact and future prospects
For Belgium, Mariam Toloba represents a crucial attacking weapon. At Euro 2025, she featured in a central attacking midfield role during the opening two group games against Italy and reigning world champions Spain.
Two defeats from two means Belgium will bow out before the knockout rounds but Toloba's career prospects are exceptionally bright.
Her move to the French Première Ligue, a highly competitive league, will further challenge and develop her game. With her natural goal-scoring talent, pace, and proven ability to perform under pressure, she has all the attributes to become a long-term fixture for the Belgian national team and a highly sought-after attacking talent in women's football across Europe and the rest of the world.
More immediately, she will hope to sign off on a positive note when Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir's side face Portugal in their final Group B match.