Top 10 Most Famous Women Soccer Players

With the sport of soccer broadening its horizons, it has seen a steep rise in women’s participation in the sport. Whilst it was once considered taboo, women’s football has come leaps and bounds since the 1970s and has now become a vital part of the soccer ecosystem, be it in club soccer or internationally, thanks to some of the most famous women’s soccer players. 

Moreover, it has also led to the sport now attracting a more diverse demographic of viewers from around the world and has led to massive growth in the sport, which was already consumed by billions worldwide. However, it is safe to say that because of a few famous female soccer players, women’s soccer has received a lot of attention which is in turn inspiring many more to take up the sport or learn more about this field.

Ranking Factors

Determining the most famous women soccer players requires evaluation of a variety of different factors. These are the factors we carefully analyzed and came up with in this list fairly and comprehensively.

Influence – Their fame and influence, have brought attention to the sport and portrayed it in a better light. We will be focusing a little more on their following and reach.

Performances – Their performances and achievements for their club and country during their career. Majorly about their contributions during crucial matches like cup finals, international tournaments, and league deciders.

That said, it is also natural that all or most of the names on our list are from the top clubs and make for some of the best women soccer players as well. With that said, let’s get started. 

#10. Lieke Martens (PSG)

The first name on our list is the Dutch superstar playmaker Lieke Martens who has made a name for herself at Paris Saint-Germain, having moved from FC Barcelona in 2022. That said, she has time and again earned comparisons with another former Barcelona and Dutch legend Johan Cruyff, owing to her abilities on the pitch. Having been named UEFA’s Player of the Year in 2017 ahead of Carli Lloyd and Deyna Castellanos, it has further added to Martens’ legacy in the sport.

Although her time with Les Parisiens may not have been as glorious as she may have been expecting, Martens remains one of the most famous women soccer players in the world with 1.1 million Instagram followers and has great footballing ability to add to it as well. 

#9. Leah Williamson (Arsenal)

Leah Williamson is one of the most sought-after female soccer players in the world, owing to her playing for Arsenal, one of the biggest clubs in England. Notably, the central defender and midfielder is also one of the most famous women soccer players from the country and has made a significant impact both in and out of the sport. Whilst there are no doubts about her footballing ability, Williamson has also developed a penchant for public speaking which has brought her more attention from varying demographics.

Whilst she is a leader and captain for club and country, Leah has also been awarded an OBE, Order of the British Empire for her contributions and work with charitable organizations and public service. A soccer player and activist, Williamson has amassed 1.1 million followers on her Instagram.

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#8. Jordyn Huitema (Seattle Reign FC) 

Jordyn Huitema first came to public attention owing to her high-profile relationship with Bayern Munich defender and fellow Canadian soccer player, Alphonso Davies. That said, the 23-year-old has more than held on her own despite parting ways with the Bayern star and following her stint at Paris Saint-Germain, moved to Seattle Reign FC. With a lot of things still to come from the Canadian youngster, she has been tipped for a lot of success in the near future.

Whilst some suggest that she is one of the best young female soccer players in the world, she is also one of the most famous women soccer players in the world, with 1.4 million followers on her social media. More recently, Huitema has once again grabbed headlines after news of her dating baseball phenom Julio Rodrigez. With many wanting the 5’11 soccer star to carry the hopes and dreams of the country like Christine Sinclair, it will be interesting to see how her career progresses. 

#7. Deyna Castellanos (Bay FC)

The former Manchester City star Deyna Castellanos is one of the youngest names on our list and has made waves on social media and on the pitch with her performances. One of the most highly touted female soccer players, Castellanos hails from Venezuela and has been seen on numerous occasions as a pundit during the FIFA World Cup for men and women. When she is not providing vital analysis during talk shows, Castellanos can be seen balling out for Bay FC.

Notably, Deyna is also very active on Instagram, which has helped amass a huge following of 1.7 million on the platform. With her best years still to come, there is great expectation from the Bay FC forward, on and off the field. 

#6. Sam Kerr (Chelsea FC)

Without a doubt, Sam Kerr is one of the greatest forwards in the history of women’s soccer. With numerous Golden Boots to her name, Kerr is not just one of the best players but also one of the most famous women soccer players on the planet. Since her move to Chelsea FC, she has been instrumental in the Blues’ domestic success of four league titles in a row. Not only that, but she has been scoring goals for fun and doing it consistently.

With the Aussie captain ever-so-active on Instagram as well, she has managed to garner about 1.7 million followers on the platform as well. Having shared news of her first baby with partner Kristie Mewis, Kerr has received a lot of warm comments and congratulations from fans and players alike. 

#5. Norma Palafox (Juarez)

For the most part, Norma Palafox may not be the first name that comes to mind when one thinks of some of the most famous women soccer players, however, the Liga MX Femenil club Juárez attacker is exactly that, judging by her Instagram which has 2.2 million followers. That said, the  26-year-old winger may not be a major star in her native Mexico, but she certainly has the social media side of things on lock.

Previously, she has also played for Guadalajara, Pachuca, Atlas, and the Cruz Azul female teams as well. Whilst her international career hasn’t been anything to write home about either, Palafox does seem to have a string of lucrative brand endorsements regardless. 

#4, Marta (Orlando Pride)

With some suggesting that she could well be one of the greatest female soccer players of all time, Marta was a shoo-in for this list. The 38-year-old Brazilian is among the highest-paid female soccer players and has been a vital part of the Orlando Pride since 2017. Notably, she is a six-time winner of FIFA World Player of the Year, and no other female soccer player has scored more World Cup goals.

With titles from Sweden to leading Brazil to finals at the Women’s World Cup and Olympics, Marta is hailed as a generational talent owing to her output. As such, it fully explains the United Nations Global Goodwill Ambassador’s massive 2.9 million following on Instagram as well. 

#3. Ana Markovic (SC Braga)

As we come to the final names on our list, it is time we mention SC Braga forward,  Ana Markovic. Whilst she may not be of the elite level as some of the other players on our list, she is still highly regarded as an athlete and social media personality, sharing her lifestyle and whereabouts with 3.2 million followers on her Instagram.

Whilst her being a soccer player is one of the reasons for her unprecedented fame, it also has to do with the fact that she could easily pass as a model and a very good one at that. Certainly an inclusion for the list of the hottest female soccer players on the planet, it’s only fitting that she is included in this one as well. 

#2. Alexia Putellas (FC Barcelona)

One of the most highly decorated female soccer players in the world currently, Alexia Putellas is a seven-time Spanish champion with Barcelona and a two-time Ballon d’Or winner in 2021 and 2022. Thus, it’s safe to say that she has represented her club and country well, having also won the 2023 World Cup and 2023-24 Nations League with Spain and has twice won the Champions League.

Having taken inspiration from the likes of Pep Guardiola and Andres Iniesta, it is no mystery as to why Putellas is as good at the game as she is. Also known as ‘La Reina’, Putellas has a following of 3.3 million on Instagram. 

#1. Alisha Lehmann (Juventus)

Lastly, we have the obvious Alisha Lehmann who is one of the most popular female sportswomen, let alone a soccer star. As the most famous women soccer player, Lehman has also pipped the likes of Swiss tennis star Roger Federer in terms of followers, boasting a massive 16.8 million followers on her Instagram. As a soccer player, Lehmann initially made a name for herself at West Ham, and then Aston Villa before making the move to Turin at Juventus, following her partner Douglas Luiz to the club.

Notably, Lehmann is quite active on her socials and has even collaborated with EA Sports for their upcoming “Team Of The Year 2025” unveiling. Outside of football, Alisha has often spoken about femininity in soccer and has used her fame and influence to talk about key issues in women’s soccer.

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