Best Female Footballers of All Time

Women's football is a team sport that is practiced professionally throughout many nations, with 187 national teams competing globally.

Both men's and women's football are played under the same set of laws. According to a FIFA report in 2014, women's football was seeing the same popularity rise and involvement as men's sports at the start of the twenty-first century, and more professional leagues were just being established globally.

Today, a list of 10 female footballers who have had a lasting influence on the game has been put together.

These ten women will forever be remembered for their contributions to the history of football. These football players embody the qualities of pure athleticism—motivation, aggression, and certainty—and they deserve all the praise and celebration they can get. The first women's soccer World Cup was played in China in 1991, and in just three decades, the sport has amassed a storied and illustrious past.

Best female footballers of all time 

We have compiled a list of best female footballers ever from everywhere throughout the world. Those who have astonished us with their brilliant skills on the pitch and marked their name in history as a member of the best female footballers of all time.

10. Kristine Lilly

• Position: 

  Striker 

Country: 

United States

Years played: 

1987-2011

Honors and achievements: 

Two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion

. 

Two-time Olympic gold medalist. Four-time NCAA champion. Capped 354 times by the U.S

.  

Over a tenure that extended from 1987 to finished only twelve years ago, Kristine Lilly capped the amazing world record of 352 times scoring 130 goals and providing 105 assists. Despite being overlooked on the list of all-time outstanding American players, there is no questioning her spot as one of the

Best female footballers of all time

. Lilly most likely will be best recalled by football fans with her headed clearance off the line in stoppage time of the 1999 Women's World Cup final. 

We couldn't disregard Kristine Lilly not to mention a player who started in 330 of her 354 caps.

Lilly is the most capped player in history. She was the first footballer to make 100 caps. What's more, she has played an aggregate of 28,800 minutes during her brilliant career. At the club level, she played for Boston Breakers for 4 seasons. She definitely deserves to be on the list of best female footballers of all time.

Teams: 

U.S. ladies' national team(1987-2010), University of North Carolina (1989-92), Tyreso FF (1994), Washington Warthogs (1995), Delaware Genies (1998), Boston Breakers (2001-03, 2009-11), KIF Orebro DFF (2005)

9. Nadine Angerer

• Country: 

  Germany

• Position: 

  Goalkeeper

• Years played:

   1995-2015

• Honors and achievements: 

  FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year. Two-time Women’s World Cup champion. Two-time UEFA Women’s champion. Capped by Germany 146 times

 One of the

best female soccer players of all time

, Nadine Angerer won the FIFA Women's Player of the Year prize, turning into the first historically goalkeeper to win the prize. She went on to keep cleen sheet without conceding a goal in 540 minutes. Angerer played the whole 2007 World Cup without a goal. 

She was likewise the number one for Germany that won the UEFA Women's Championship in 2009 and 2013. When last number one goalkeeper Silke Rottenberg missed the 2007 Women's World Cup due to knee injury, Nadine Angerer had her spot and Germany didn't think twice.

Germany conceded no goals in six matches on the way to the second back to back world title. Angerer stood against one the

Best female footballers ever

, Marta, on a penalty shootout to save a clean sheet in a 2-0 triumph in the final game against Brazil. 

She was a specialist in a penalty situation. In the wake of Prinz resign in 2011, Angerer became the skipper and made two crucial penalty saves against Sweden to push Germany to the 2013 European title.

"Angerer is a great leader in her team,  a great hero to follow," said previous USA mentor Tony DiCicco, who was a goalkeeper himself. Since resigning in 2015 She's been the goalkeeper mentor for Portland Thorns FC.

Teams:

Brazilian ladies' national team(2002-present), Vasco de Gama (2000-02), Santa Cruz (2002-04), Umea IK (2004-08), Los Angeles Sol (2009), Santos (2009-10), FC Gold Pride (2010), Santos (2011), Western New York Flash (2011), Tyreso FF (2012-14), FC Rosengard (2014-17), Orlando Pride (2017-present)

8. Homare Sawa

• Country: 

  Japan

• Position: 

  Midfielder

• Years played: 

  1991-2015

• Honors and achievements:

   FIFA World Player of the Year. FIFA Women’s World Cup champion. Olympic silver medalist. Capped 201 times by Japan

Homare Sawa is one of the most prominent playmaking midfielders in the history of the sport and number eight in our

best female football players in history

list. Sawa made her senior club first presentation game at 12 years old and only three years after the fact was called to earn her first cap for Japan. As skipper of Japan pursued her football career right to the Summer Olympics of 2012.

She likewise supported her side en route for the triumph in both the Golden Ball and Golden Boot. Plus, she was named the Women's World Player of the Year by FIFA in 2011 and in London she helped her side to an Olympic silver award.

Sawa was a legend of longevity for her national team. She retired at the age of 37, netting 83 goals in 205 matches, both Japanese records.

Sawa was unable to repeat the lightning-in-a-bottle success of 2011, though she still closed her international career in impressive fashion with runner-up finishes at the 2012 Olympics and 2015 World Cup and will be remembered as one of the best female footballers of all time.

Teams: 

V Beleza (1991-99), Japanese national team (1993-2015), Denver Diamonds (1999-2000), Atlanta Beat (2001-03), Nippon TV Beleza (2004-10), Washington Freedom (2009-10), INAC Kobe Leonessa (2011-15)

7. Sun Wen

• Country: 

  China

• Position: 

  Forward

• Years played:

   1989-2006

Honors and achievements: 

FIFA Women’s Player of the Century. World Cup Golden Ball winner. World Cup Golden Boot winner. Capped 156 times by China

.  

During China's illustrious soccer era, Sun Wen is an exceptional one. Chinese footballer, who is undoubtedly best female soccer players of all time, accomplished a lot during her football career.

As the winner of the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot in 1999, Sun Wen was the top player just as the top scorer of the tournament. She additionally was skipper of the national side of China and the Atlanta Beat.

Sun Wen turned into her team's leader when they required a goal. She surely didn't baffle, netting 106 times in 163 national games.

Sun, who had the capacity to help with passes for her teammates, was great to the point that she pulled off the rarest of doubles at a significant competition. Winning the Golden Ball and Golden Boot At the 1999 Women's World Cup. Sun's awards came in amount, yet quality was the best as well.

After the forward scored free-kick from 32-yard against the USA at the Sydney Olympics, April Heinrichs, at that point the American lead trainer, gave Sun high praise. "I like to pay for her to come to play in the United States in the Women's United Soccer Association," she said. "She's so balanced. She's made and an extraordinary leader who shows others how it's done for 90 minutes."

At the point when the American ladies stood against the powerhouse group of the 1990s, China developed as imposing opponents on account of the particular talents of its nation. It was Sun Wen who changed the story against the U.S. at the 1996 Olympics and 1999 World Cup with her 7 goals during the last competition bringing about Golden Ball and shared Golden Shoe awards.

Sun was renowned for his agility and inventiveness as he switched between the forward and midfield positions, creating opportunities for teammates.

While her career was almost wrapped up when she displayed her abilities expertly in the U.S. in the mid-2000s, her effect on the game was with the end goal that she was named FIFA co-player of the twentieth century, a true testament to his deserving spot as one of the 

best female footballers of all time

.

Teams: 

Shanghai (1989-2000), Chinese national team (1990-2006), Shanghai SVA (2003, 2006)

6. Abby Wambach

• Country: 

  United States

• Position: 

  Forward

• Years played: 

  1998-2015

• Honors and achievements:

   FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year in 2012. Women’s World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist. Capped 256 times by United States

With an amazing record of 255 matches playing and 184 goals netted to her career, Abby Wambach is one of the most commended strikers as one of the

best female footballers of all time

due to her finishing skills.

She holds the record for international games among both female footballers and male. She played and scored in four FIFA Women's World Cups and two Olympic competitions which is as it should be. Furthermore, she was likewise awarded the FIFA World Player of the year in 2012. 

What's increasingly great here is that the vast majority of Wambach's goals are scored on the greatest stages. She played in three World Cups just as three Olympics. She is likewise the first footballer to win the AP Athlete of the Year and the main American lady to win the 2012 FIFA World Player of the Year.

Her size, agility, and offensive prowess combined with an intimidating strength made her the undisputed leader. She joined the national side in 2001, however, she didn't win a Women's World Cup until her last worldwide challenge in 2015.

Teams: 

University of Florida (1998-2001), U.S. women’s national team (2001-15), Washington Freedom (2002-03), Ajax American Women (2005), Washington Freedom (2009-10), magicJack (2010-11), Western New York Flash (2013-14)

5. Christine Sinclair

• Country: 

  Canada

• Position: 

  Forward/midfielder

• Years played: 

  2000-present

• Honors and achievements: 

  Two-time NCAA champion. Two-time WPS champion. Three-time NWSL champion. 14-time Canada Soccer Player of the Year. Capped 319 times for Canada

Sinclair is the best goal scorer at the international level with 190 goals in 319 games. Abby Wambach holds the second place with 184 goals. Sinclair positively influenced American soccer in school, winning two national titles at the University of Portland.

Given the current state of affairs, we are aware of how great she is. Perhaps Abby Wambach said all needed to be said about why she is one of the best female footballers of all time, "I believe she's the best ever player on the planet"

Sinclair made her international debut when she was 16 years old. Her most significant exhibition may have been her hat trick in that exceptional 4-3 semi-final loss against the USA at the 2012 Olympics when Canada won the bronze. Sinclair suffered from a frustrating Women's World Cup in 2015, scoring twice as Canada were lost games in the quarter-finals.

Teams: 

Canadian national team (2000-present), University of Portland (2001-05), Vancouver Breakers (2001-02), Vancouver Whitecaps (2006-08), FC Gold Pride (2009-10), Western New York Flash (2011-12), Portland Thorns FC (2013-present)

4. Michelle Akers

• Country: 

  United States

• Position: 

  Midfield/forward/defense

• Years played: 

  1985-2000

• Honors and achievements: 

  FIFA Women’s Player of the Century. Two-time Women’s World Cup champion. Olympic gold medalist. Capped 155 times for United States

Michelle Akers's golden years as a standout among other female soccer players were between 1991 and 1999, when she won the Women's World Cup as well.

During the 1991 tournament, she even earned the Golden Boot, which is awarded to the top scorer of the tournament. Known to be one of the best female footballers ever, she was named to the FIFA 100, alongside Mia Hamm and was likewise named the FIFA footballer of the Century. 

Akers was a previous skipper of the United States national team. Sje scored an incredible record of 107 goals in 155 international games. This is significantly noteworthy because of the way that Akers was playing as a midfielder, rather than a striker. Akers is ranked 4th among best female football players in history.

"She was a warrior," said Mia Hamm. "She was our beginning and end."

Teams:

 U.S. women’s national team (1985-2000), University of Central Florida (1985-88), Tyreso FF (1990, 1992, 1994), Orlando Lions (1992)

3. Mia Hamm

• Country: 

  United States

• Position: 

  Forward/midfield

• Years played: 

  1987-2004

• Honors and achievements: 

  Two-time FIFA World Player of the Year. Two-Time Women’s World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist. Four-time NCAA champion. Capped 276 times by United States

Mia Hamm continues to be in the spotlight of the game for football enthusiasts even after she retired in 2004.

Two times the FIFA World Player of the Year, she was a member of the United States team that won the Women's World Cup in 1991 and 1999 and the Olympic in 1996 and 2004.

She is the thrid-best goal scorer with 158 international goals in 276 games and was one of only two ladies to be remembered for the FIFA 100. Regardless of every honor of her World Cups and Olympic gold medals, Hamm is maybe more than everything else, viewed as a leader figure in ladies' soccer globally.

One of the most celebrated and effective female footballers and a symbol for ladies' soccer, she is undeniably a member of any list that discuss the best female footballers of all time.

Mia Hamm who was the first international superstar of her business likewise was the icon of the 1999 World Cup-winning squad that changed ladies' soccer from an activity to a sport with resilience in the U.S.

Be that as it may, for all her Nike magazine spreads, it's anything but difficult to overlook the predominance she showed on the pitch, her speed, ball control and vision.

Hamm affected games enough to win the initial two FIFA Player of the Year Awards, and in 2004 she joined Akers as the main ladies to acquire FIFA 100 list of the game's most noteworthy living players.

Teams:

 U.S. women’s national team (1987-2004), University of North Carolina (1989-93), Washington Freedom (2001-03)

2- Birgit Prinz

• Country: 

  Germany

• Position: 

  Striker

• Years played: 

  1993-2011

• Honors and achievements: 

  Three-time FIFA World Player of the Year. Two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champion. Three-time Olympic bronze medalist

Birgit Prinz as a thrice FIFA World Player of the Year is the most capped non-American footballer ever.

She drove Germany to the World Cup title in 2003 and 2007 and won three Olympic bronze awards in 2000 to 2008.

She is additionally second highest scorer of FIFA Women's World Cup's ever with 14 goals behind Marta with 17.

At club level, she earned 9 Bundesliga titles and 3 UEFA Women's Cups. In spite of the fact that she retired in 2011, Her legacy as one of the best female footballers ever is indelible.

Birgit Prinz won two World Cups and three FIFA World Player of the Year. She played for the German national team, Carolina Courage, FFC and FSV Frankfurt. She scored 410 goals before 2011 when she declared her retirement. 

Birgit Prinz was the unwavering force that led teams at the national and club levels to unprecedented success

She won the first of five European titles with Germany in 1995. Prinz undoubtedly belongs in the same football hall of fame as men's greats like Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Muller.

She scored 128 goals in international tournaments and 282 goals for her clubs in domestic leagues. After retiring in 2011 at 34 years of age, Prinz went on to work as a sports psychologist for men’s and women’s teams of Bundesliga club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.

Teams: 

FSV Frankfurt (1993-98), German national team (1994-2011), 1 FFC Frankfurt (1998-2002, 2003-11), Carolina Courage (2002-03)

1. Marta

• Country: 

  Brazil

• Position: 

  Forward

• Years played: 

  2000-present

• Honors and achievements:

   Six-time FIFA World Player of the Year. Won 2007 Women’s World Cup Golden Ball and Golden Shoe. Capped 171 times for Brazil

Brazilian footballer Marta is one of the best female soccer players of all time. She was named the FIFA World Player of the Year for an amazing record of 5 back-to-back times since 2006 to 2010. She won it again eight years later in 2018, making her the only female with Six FIFA World Player of the Year award.

Moreover, she holds her position among the most favored soccer players as well. She helped Brazil become runner-up in the 2007 World Cup. Plus, she won the Golden Boot and Golden Ball for the best player and best goal scorer in that tournament. She holds the position of top scorer of Women's World Cup with 17. 

Marta even had the pleasure of carrying the flag of Olympic in Rio. On the off chance that Hamm was soccer's first Wonderwoman, Marta was the one who raised standards to demonstrate that women were capable of the brilliance and flair formerly supposed to be reserved solely for the men's game.

Before rising to earn five consecutive FIFA Player of the Year Awards, the dangerous forward caught the international stage with an astounding seven goals during the 2007 World Cup.

While receiving criticism for her inability to take home a major trophy at the World Cup or Olympics, Marta proved her lasting greatness by earning the sixth FIFA Best Player Award in 2018 and increasing her record World Cup tally to 17 in 2019.

Teams: 

Brazilian women’s national team (2002-present), Vasco de Gama (2000-02), Santa Cruz (2002-04), Umea IK (2004-08), Los Angeles Sol (2009), Santos (2009-10), FC Gold Pride (2010), Santos (2011), Western New York Flash (2011), Tyreso FF (2012-14), FC Rosengard (2014-17), Orlando Pride (2017-present)

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