Top 10 Best Female Footballers of All Time (2022 Update)

Best female footballers: Women’s football has undergone several changes in recent years, one of which is international recognition. Even though it has only recently received notice, women’s football has been producing exceptional players for years. Without regard to gender, the players carved out separate spots on the pitch and expanded the game’s possibilities so that many more women could demonstrate their football prowess and launch successful careers. 

This list of the top 10 best female footballers of all time ever is in recognition of those amazing ladies who changed the game with their strength and strategy.

Top Best Female Footballers (2022 Update)

Nadine Angerer (Goalkeeper, Germany)

With 146 international appearances under her belt, Nadine is without a doubt the best goalkeeper ever. In 2013, Angerer became the first goalkeeper to win the FIFA World Player of the Year award.

She made her goalkeeping debut at the 2007 Women’s World Cup. And ever since she has stopped goals the way she intended to.

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Christine Sinclair (Forward, Canada)

Christine Sinclair, one of the best female footballers of all time, is a force on the field, acting like a midfielder and pushing the ball forward into the goal of the opposition.

She has 296 international caps, 186 international goals, five World Cup competitions, and two separate Olympic Games in her career.

Kelly Smith (Forward, England)

Smith is England’s all-time leading scorer with 46 goals in 115 appearances over a spectacular international career that spanned 20 years (1995-2015). Smith played a variety of attacking roles throughout her career, although she frequently had to deal with injuries.

She made history by winning the Big East offensive player of the year and newcomer of the year awards in the same season. This title is a first for any athlete in any sport. So Kelly Smith can be one of the best women footballers in the world.

Homare Sawa (Forward, Japan)

As far as Asian players go, Homare Sawa is regarded as the best female footballer of all time. Sawa first captured the attention of the globe when she made her international debut against the Philippines. She scored four goals and led her team to a stunning victory.

She guided Japan to its first triumph in its inaugural Women’s World Cup in 2011 with her exceptional vision and goal-scoring abilities.

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Abby Wambach (forward, USA)

One of the most legendary players in football history is Wambach. She never missed a chance to score by heading the ball. And she ended up with a world-record 184 international goals in 255 games while also contributing 75 assists.

In aerial battles, Wambach possesses the skills of Cristiano Ronaldo. She is also one of the most famous female footballers in the sports world. With a fantastic goal scored in stoppage time against Brazil in the 2011 World Cup quarterfinals, she made the greatest Women’s World Cup goal, giving the USA the victory. 

Sun Wen (forward, China)

The pride of China’s women’s soccer squad, Sun Wen is also one of the best female footballers. We competed for her nation in two Olympics and four FIFA Women’s World Cups.

She was a member of the Chinese women’s national squad that organized the inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1991. Along with Marta Silva, she emerged as the tournament’s best player and joint-leading scorer.

Birgit Prinz (Attacking midfielder, Germany)

As of 2021, Birgit Prinz, the eight-time German female player of the year, is second all-time in goals scored during a FIFA women’s World Cup. She takes shots with the intent to score at every opportunity.

The German player is a dangerous player on the field because of her quick reactions and lightning speed. She scored the game-winning goal in her 16-year-old international debut after being replaced.

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Michelle Akers (defensive midfielder, USA)

Michelle Akers was a deadly striker for the USA women’s football team that dominated the 1990s. In women’s football, she really occupied two positions: one as a forward and the other as a defensive midfielder.

She could outrun opponents with her extended stride because of her combination of devastating height and speed. Her goals during the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1991 gave the USA their first win over Norway.

Mia Hamm (Forward, USA)

Despite being the attacker, Hamm frequently played like a midfielder. Her strategies would allow her to avoid the defender and even advance toward the goal. Hamm still holds the record for the most assists with 144 thanks to her outstanding goal-scoring ability and vision. 

She scored 158 goals internationally and received 275 caps. She was a member of the USA women’s soccer team that won the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1991 and 1999. Additionally, she received a silver medal in 2000 and two additional Olympic gold medals in 1996 and 2004. She is also known as one of the best-looking female footballers in the sports world.

Marta Silva (Forward, Brazil)

Marta is unquestionably the best female footballer of all time. She is frequently referred to as “Pele in skirts” and “Ronaldinho” of female football. She possesses the well-loved authentic Brazilian footballing DNA. 

Marta is an expert at dodging and has an unmatched goal-scoring ability. She is the only player of any gender to score five separate FIFA World Cup goals. With 109 goals in 155 games, she even outscored Pele and other Brazilian footballers for the most goals scored in international play.

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Sum up

There are a lot of names besides this list of the best female footballers ever, so we believe that someday women’s soccer will rule the world of football in a similar manner to men’s football or at least be as significant. Women in football have been steadily growing and effectively leveling up the game, even though the process is gradual. We all can’t wait to welcome the hopeful future.

Do you follow female football matches and do you have any favorite female players? Please share with us your ideas on our website Sporting difference. Thanks for your interest!