The 10 Greatest Female Footballers of All Time – Ranked
Women’s football has produced some of the most talented, inspiring, and game-changing athletes in sports history. From record-breaking goal scorers to legendary leaders on and off the pitch, these ten players have shaped the game and left an unforgettable legacy. Here’s our ranking of the 10 greatest female footballers of all time, starting with Alex Morgan and ending with the iconic Marta.
10. Alex Morgan
Alex Morgan is one of the most recognizable names in women’s football. Over a stellar 14-year international career, she earned 224 caps and scored 123 goals for the USWNT, winning two consecutive World Cups in 2015 and 2019 as well as Olympic gold in 2012. Known for her clinical finishing and iconic celebrations, Morgan also enjoyed success at club level in the NWSL, Lyon, and a brief stint in England before retiring in 2024.
9. Hope Solo
Hope Solo is widely regarded as one of the greatest goalkeepers in women’s football history. Earning 202 caps, she remains the only female goalkeeper to surpass the 200-cap mark for her country. She played a key role in the USA’s 2015 World Cup triumph, won two Olympic gold medals, and kept an incredible 102 clean sheets, cementing her status as a dominant force between the posts.
8. Christine Sinclair
Christine Sinclair holds the all-time international goalscoring record—male or female—with an astonishing 190 goals in 331 appearances for Canada. Her career spanned over two decades, during which she won Olympic gold in 2020 and became a national icon. At club level, she spent most of her career with Portland Thorns, leaving as their top scorer before retiring in 2024 at the age of 41.
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7. Homare Sawa
Homare Sawa is a Japanese legend whose defining moment came at the 2011 World Cup, where she led Japan to their first-ever title. She won both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball that year and was named FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year—the first Asian player to receive the honor. Sawa also guided Japan to Olympic silver in 2012 before retiring in 2015 with 205 caps and 83 goals.
6. Abby Wambach
Abby Wambach was known for her aerial dominance and physical presence, scoring 184 goals in 255 appearances for the United States. A two-time Olympic gold medalist and 2015 World Cup champion, she was named FIFA World Player of the Year in 2012. Her leadership, goal-scoring ability, and competitive spirit made her one of the most feared strikers in the game’s history.
5. Sun Wen
Sun Wen is considered China’s greatest-ever female footballer. She was named FIFA Player of the Century in 1999 and shone at the 1999 World Cup, winning both the Golden Boot and Golden Ball. A skillful and intelligent forward, she helped China claim multiple Asian Cup titles and scored 106 goals in 163 international appearances before retiring in 2006.
4. Birgit Prinz
Birgit Prinz is Germany’s most decorated female player, with 214 caps and 128 goals for the national team. She won two World Cups (2003, 2007), three FIFA World Player of the Year awards, and dominated domestic football with nine Bundesliga titles and ten German Cups. Her clinical finishing and consistency made her one of the most respected strikers in world football.
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3. Michelle Akers
Michelle Akers was a powerhouse who excelled as both a striker and a midfielder. She scored 105 goals in 155 appearances for the USWNT, including a record 10 in the 1991 World Cup. A two-time World Cup champion and co-recipient of FIFA’s Player of the Century award, Akers was known for her unmatched work rate, technical ability, and determination on the field.
2. Mia Hamm
Mia Hamm is often hailed as the ultimate USWNT icon. With 276 caps, 158 goals, and 147 assists, she was both a prolific scorer and an exceptional playmaker. Hamm won two World Cups (1991, 1999), two Olympic gold medals, and inspired a generation of players with her leadership and skill. Her legacy extends beyond the pitch, as she became a symbol for the growth of women’s football worldwide.
1. Marta
Marta is widely regarded as the greatest female footballer of all time. The Brazilian forward combines extraordinary skill, creativity, and flair, holding the all-time record for World Cup goals (17) across men’s and women’s tournaments. A six-time FIFA World Player of the Year, she has scored 119 goals for Brazil and continues to shine at club level with Orlando Pride. Marta’s brilliance, longevity, and influence make her a true generational talent.
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