Women’s soccer has produced some of the greatest athletes in sports history, combining skill, intelligence, and dominance on the global stage.
As the world’s most popular sport, football has seen these women rise to iconic status. This list of the top 15 best female soccer players of all time highlights legends who redefined the game, won major trophies, and inspired generations with their exceptional talent and consistency.
Many of these legendary figures are celebrated as the best strikers, having set goal‑scoring records that still stand today.
15. Aitana Bonmatí (Spain)
Aitana Bonmatí is one of the most decorated players in modern football, known for her technical skill, vision, and consistent success.
She became the first player to win three consecutive Women’s Ballon d’Or awards (2023–2025) and has won multiple UEFA Women’s Champions League titles, along with a FIFA World Cup Golden Ball.
She plays as a central playmaker, recognized for precise passing, strong control under pressure, and the ability to control the tempo of big matches.
Her legacy is that of a complete modern midfielder who consistently delivers both team success and individual awards.
14. Joy Fawcett (USA)
Joy Fawcett is a retired American soccer player who achieved several milestones in her career. She was part of the U.S. national team that won the first women’s World Cup in 1991 and played in four more World Cups, never missing a minute of action.
She also won two Olympic gold medals in 1996 and 2004. She played 239 games for the U.S. and scored 27 goals, showing remarkable consistency and discipline.
She was a founding member of the WUSA and played for the San Diego Spirit from 2001 to 2003. She was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2009 for her contributions to the sport.
13. Pia Mariane Sundhage (Sweden)
Pia Mariane Sundhage is a Swedish football manager and former professional player, born on February 13, 1960. She had a successful career as a forward and midfielder, retiring as the top scorer for the Swedish women’s national team.
Sundhage played for various clubs, including Falköpings KIK, Jitex BK, Östers IF, S.S. Lazio, Stattena IF, and Hammarby IF DFF. She won four Damallsvenskan championships, all with Jitex BK.
She was the top scorer for the Swedish women’s national team, where she had a prolific playing career. She also won multiple championships with various clubs, including four Damallsvenskan titles with Jitex BK.
As a coach, she made a significant impact on the global stage. She led the United States women’s national team to two Olympic gold medals and a runner-up finish at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
She later coached the Brazil women’s national team, bringing her experience and expertise to another powerhouse of women’s soccer.
Sundhage is widely regarded as one of the all-time greatest female players and one of the most respected coaches in the women’s game.
12. Kelly Smith (England)
Kelly Smith, an English former football forward, is widely regarded as one of the greatest female footballers.
She had a successful club career, especially with Arsenal Women, where she won multiple league titles and was a top scorer.
She also played for England in 117 games and scored 46 goals, and for Great Britain in the 2012 Olympics. Smith was a versatile player who could play as a center forward, a number 10, or a midfielder.
She was one of the most technically gifted and prolific finishers in the game, and her impact and accolades have made her one of the greatest female footballers in the world.
She had a remarkable goal-scoring record, with 76 goals in 51 games in college, 73 goals in 66 games for Arsenal, and 18 goals in 46 games for Boston Breakers.
11. Kristine Lilly (USA)
Kristine Lilly is a retired American professional soccer player, born on July 22, 1971, in New York City. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest female footballers in history.
Lilly had a successful club career, playing for various teams, including Tyresö FF, Washington Warthogs, Delaware Genies, Boston Breakers, and KIF Örebro DFF.
Internationally, she represented the United States in 354 matches, scoring 130 goals, and won two FIFA Women’s World Cup titles and two Olympic gold medals.
Her best moments include her exceptional leadership as the captain of the USWNT from 2004 to 2008 and her significant contributions to the team’s victories in major tournaments.
She had an enduring legacy and set unmatched records, such as her caps total, which is nearly double the record of any male footballer.
10. Wendie Renard (France)
Wendie Renard is a prominent French soccer player who is known for her skills, career, and achievements. She is a central defender who leads her team with her presence, aerial ability, and game-reading skills. She also scores goals, especially from set pieces.
Renard has had an illustrious career, captaining both the French national team and Olympique Lyonnais. She has won 16 league titles and eight Champions League trophies with her club, making them the most dominant team in women’s club football.
Renard has also represented France in 144 games and scored 34 goals. She has been a key player in France’s quest for major trophies, such as the World Cup.
Renard is one of the best players in women’s soccer, and her contributions to the sport have earned her respect and recognition.
9. Sun Wen (China)
Sun Wen is a Chinese former professional footballer who played as a forward. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest Chinese footballers in history.
Sun’s accomplishments were recognized in 2000 when she shared the FIFA Women’s Player of the Century award. She is considered one of the world’s all-time greats due to her exceptional skill and impact on the game.
Sun finished her career with 152 international caps and 106 goals. She had an exceptional performance at the 1999 World Cup in the United States, where she scored seven goals to claim the Golden Boot as the top scorer and the Golden Ball for the best player.
She primarily played in the Women’s United Soccer Association for Atlanta Beat & also in local Chinese football leagues for Team Shanghai.
8. Alex Morgan (USA)
Alex Morgan is a highly accomplished American professional footballer, popular global athlete known for her exceptional skills and numerous achievements.
Morgan has played for various clubs, such as Orlando Pride, Tottenham Hotspur, and Lyon. She has won many league titles and the Champions League with her clubs. She has also represented the U.S. national team since 2010 and helped them win the World Cup and the Olympics.
She has scored over 100 goals for the U.S. and received many individual awards, such as the Best Female Athlete ESPY Award in 2019 and the Silver Boot at the 2019 World Cup.
She has had some iconic moments in her career, such as scoring five goals in one game at the 2019 World Cup and scoring the winning goal in the last minute of the 2012 Olympic semifinal against Canada.
7. Alexia Putellas (Spain)
Alexia Putellas is a Spanish footballer who is known for her skills and achievements. She is a midfielder for Barcelona, where she has won seven league titles, seven Copas de la Reina, and two Champions League trophies.
She has also received many individual awards, such as the Best FIFA Women’s Player award in 2022, and the Ballon d’Or Féminin in 2021 and 2022.
She has scored 34 goals in all competitions in the 2021/22 season, including 11 in the Champions League, where she was the Player of the Tournament.
She has represented Spain and helped the team win the European Championship. She was the captain of Barcelona, where she leads by example on and off the field.
Alexia Putellas left FC Barcelona in 2026 after 14 years with the club, joining London City Lionesses in the Women’s Super League
6. Mia Hamm (USA)
Mia Hamm is considered one of the greatest women’s soccer players of all time due to her exceptional skill, numerous achievements, and significant contributions to the sport and is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes of all time.
Her international success is highlighted by her two FIFA Women’s World Cup titles in 1991 and 1999, and two Olympic gold medals in 1996 and 2004 with the U.S. Women’s National Team. Hamm’s goal-scoring record is unparalleled, making her the greatest goal scorer in women’s international soccer history with 158 goals in 276 games.
Her exceptional performance earned her the title of FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year in 2001 and 2002, and she was also a five-time U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year.
As a role model for athletes and fans who believe in equal opportunities and the love of the game, Hamm’s impact on the sport, her goal-scoring talent, and her leadership as a forward and attacker have solidified her legacy as an iconic figure in women’s soccer.
5. Homare Sawa (Japan)
Homare Sawa is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a forward or attacking midfielder.
Club-wise, she played for various clubs in the WE League, such as Nippon TV Beleza and INAC Kobe Leonessa, for 24 seasons.
She also played for Yomiuri Beleza and Washington Freedom.
Sawa represented Japan in 205 matches, scoring 83 goals, and is known for her outstanding performances in major tournaments, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Olympic Games.
Sawa’s best moments include leading Japan to victory in the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where she won the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player and scored the equalizer in the final against the United States.
Her illustrious career and significant contributions to the sport have solidified her legacy as one of the greatest female footballers in the world.
She has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year in 2011.
4. Michelle Akers (USA)
Michelle Akers is an American former soccer player who was born on February 1, 1966. She had a significant impact on women’s football in the U.S. and globally.
Akers played for the United States Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) from 1985 to 2000 and starred in the 1991 and 1999 Women’s World Cup and 1996 Olympics victories for US team.
She was the top scorer in the 1991 World Cup, with 10 goals, a record that still stands.
She also scored two goals in the 1991 final and a PK goal in the 1999 semi-final. She was capped 153 times and scored 105 goals for the U.S.
She was also one of the two women in the FIFA 100, a list of the greatest living soccer players. She was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2004 and was named Female Player of the 20th Century by FIFA, along with Sun Wen.
3. Abby Wambach (USA)
Abby Wambach is a retired American professional soccer player, widely recognized for her remarkable career, goal-scoring prowess, and numerous achievements. Her record places her among the most dominant athletes of all time.
Wambach scored 184 goals in 252 games representing the United States, making her the second all-time leading goal scorer in international football.
She has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including the FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year in 2012.
She also impressed in major tournaments, such as the 2011 Women’s World Cup, where she scored an iconic goal against Brazil.
She had a successful club career, playing for teams like Washington Freedom and Western New York Flash.
Abby Wambach’s outstanding goal-scoring ability, her remarkable performances in major tournaments, and her numerous accolades have established her as one of the most influential and successful female footballers in the world.
2. Birgit Prinz (Germany)
Birgit Prinz is a German former professional footballer who played as a forward or attacking midfielder.
She represented Germany in 214 matches, scoring 128 goals, and won two FIFA Women’s World Cup titles in 2003 and 2007.
In international football, her best moments include her exceptional performances in the 2003 and 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cups, where she won the Golden Ball as the top scorer and the Silver Ball for the second-best player.
Regarding club career, she played for various clubs in her active years, including FSV Frankfurt, 1. FFC Frankfurt, and Carolina Courage.
Prinz’s illustrious career and her significant contributions to the sport have solidified her legacy as one of the greatest female footballers in the world. She has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including three FIFA World Player of the Year awards from 2002 to 2004.
1. Marta (Brazil)
Marta Vieira da Silva, popularly known as Marta, is often hailed as the greatest female footballer of all time. Her illustrious football career began in 2000 at Vasco da Gama.
Over the years, she has played for various teams in Brazil, Sweden, and the United States, including Umeå IK, Los Angeles Sol, and Orlando Pride. Since 2017, she has been showcasing her skills at the Orlando Pride in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
In terms of stats, Marta’s record is impressive. She has made 175 appearances for Brazil, scoring 120 goals. She holds the record as Brazil’s top goalscorer with 115 goals.
Moreover, with 17 goals, Marta also holds the record for the most goals scored in any World Cup, be it women’s or men’s.
Marta’s career is filled with memorable moments. The beautiful Brazilian soccer star was the first footballer of any gender to score at five different World Cups. Additionally, she was the first footballer, female or male, to score at five consecutive Olympic Games.
Marta’s overall achievements are a testament to her exceptional talent and dedication.
She has been named FIFA World Player of the Year six times, with five of them being consecutive from 2006 through 2010, and the latest award coming in 2018.
She was a member of the Brazilian national teams that won the silver medal at the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics.
In the 2007 Women’s World Cup, she won both the Golden Ball award as the best player and the Golden Boot award as the top scorer.
At the club level, Marta won the UEFA Women’s Cup at Swedish club Umeå IK in 2004 and won seven Swedish league championships during her time playing for various teams in the country.
In January 2013, she was named one of the six Ambassadors of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
The greatest female soccer players of all time have shaped the sport through elite performances, record-breaking achievements, and lasting influence.
From World Cup heroes to club legends, these players set the benchmark for excellence and continue to elevate women’s football worldwide.
If you enjoyed this list, explore more from SportsGeeks. Beyond soccer, the sporting world boasts incredible female talent, including the best female boxers, tennis players, swimmers, golfers, and weightlifters of all time.
In women’s combat sports, don’t miss our rankings of the best female UFC fighters and the best female wrestlers of all time.
For football purists, we have deep dives into the best goalkeepers of all time, the most popular football clubs, and the best football league in the world.
And if you’re in the mood for something completely different, check out the most popular sports in India, the biggest rivalries in sports, the hardest sports in the world, or even the fastest knockout in boxing. There’s a whole world of sports content waiting for you.