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The Ultimate Ranking: Top 100 Women’s Footballers of All Time

The world of women’s football has seen an incredible array of talent, making it a challenge to rank the greatest players ever. This list was put together by FourFourTwo’s Women’s Football Editor Sarah Rendell and football experts, considering not just trophies but also technical skill, stats, and pioneering impact across the globe.

Disagreements are expected, but this effort aims to showcase the true breadth of talent in women’s football history.

100-91: Pioneers and Champions

  • 100. Lily Parr: A trailblazer from the early 1900s, Parr scored 986 goals during her career with Dick Kerr Ladies, known for her powerful shot and style.
  • 99. Ji So-Yun: Key in Chelsea’s dominance (2014-2022), Ji won 13 trophies and helped South Korea finish runners-up in the 2022 Asian Cup.
  • 98. Gilly Flaherty: Arsenal defender who won 22 trophies over 17 years, part of the only English women’s team to win the Champions League.
  • 97. Jordan Nobbs: Arsenal legend with 11 trophies, broke the WSL appearance record in 2024, and earned over 70 England caps.
  • 96. Lauren James: At 23, already a World Cup finalist and three-time title winner with Chelsea, poised for a decorated career.
  • 95. Karen Carney: England international with 144 caps, quadruple winner with Arsenal, now a prominent pundit and advocate.
  • 94. Mayra Ramirez: Colombian forward making waves at Chelsea since 2024, noted for strength and goal threat.
  • 93. Lianne Sanderson: Won 14 trophies with Arsenal and Juventus, part of the 2009 Euro runners-up England squad.
  • 92. Fran Kirby: Integral to Chelsea’s success with seven WSL titles; missed 2023 World Cup but crucial in 2022 Euros win.
  • 91. Leah Williamson: Captained England to their first major trophy at the 2022 Euros; long-time Arsenal player with seven trophies.

90-81: Influential Players Across Continents

  • 90. Jess Fishlock: Wales’ top scorer and instrumental in NWSL and Champions League successes, five-time Welsh Footballer of the Year.
  • 89. Lena Oberdorf: German midfielder noted for strength, key in 2022 Euros final; recovering from ACL injury.
  • 88. Alex Greenwood: One of the world's best defenders; key to England’s 2022 Euros win and 2023 World Cup final.
  • 87. Formiga: Brazilian legend with a career spanning over 25 years, remarkable longevity playing internationally until age 43.
  • 86. Briana Scurry: US goalkeeper famous for 1999 World Cup penalty save, two Olympic golds, and 71 clean sheets.
  • 85. Bente Nordby: Norwegian keeper who conceded just one goal en route to 1995 World Cup win, four-time FIFA Player of the Year nominee.
  • 84. Fara Williams: England’s most capped player, known for spectacular goals despite early hardships including homelessness.
  • 83. Camille Abily: Midfielder with 26 club trophies mainly at Lyon and France international until 2017; Chelsea assistant coach.
  • 82. Mary Earps: England goalkeeper who won Golden Glove at 2023 World Cup and played every minute of 2022 Euros victory.
  • 81. Keira Walsh: Barcelona midfielder whose influence grew after standout Euro 2022 performance; vital to England's midfield.

80-71: Arsenal Legends, Record Breakers, and Rising Stars

  • 80. Rachel Yankey: Part of Arsenal’s unbeaten quadruple-winning team, 22 trophies in total, inducted into WSL Hall of Fame.
  • 79. Katie Chapman: Decorated English midfielder with 28 club trophies, twice England Player of the Year.
  • 78. Ellen White: England’s third-highest scorer, retired after winning 2022 Euros final, 10 club trophies.
  • 77. Ann Kristin Aar nes: Norway’s 1995 World Cup Golden Boot winner with 60 international goals and five league titles.
  • 76. Kim Little: Arsenal icon and Scotland’s top scorer upon international retirement in 2021, known for control and creativity.
  • 75. Dzsenifer Marozs n: German maestro with three consecutive UEFA Player of the Year awards, multiple Champions League and league titles.
  • 74. Rachael Kundananji: Zambia’s record-breaking striker, pivotal in their historic 2023 World Cup upset of Germany.
  • 73. Patri: Key player for Barcelona’s dominance with 22 trophies, took a break from Spain’s national team for better conditions.
  • 72. Barbra Banda: African star, highest-ranked FIFA Best African player, BBC Women's Footballer of the Year 2024.
  • 71. Carolina Morace: Italy’s great goal scorer with over 500 league goals and the first-ever World Cup hat-trick scorer.

70-61: European Icons and Consistent Performers

  • 70. Therese Sj gran: Swedish midfielder with 214 caps, played in four World Cups and three Olympics, runner-up at major tournaments.
  • 69. Pernille Harder: Danish forward winning league titles at every club since 2016 and Denmark’s top scorer.
  • 68. Hanna Ljungberg: Sweden’s former top scorer and 2003 World Cup finalist, scored 196 goals for Ume IK.
  • 67. Irene Paredes: Barcelona defender, captain of Spain, 13 club trophies including two Champions Leagues.
  • 66. Bunny Shaw: Jamaica’s leading striker, golden boots in Bordeaux and Manchester City, key to Jamaica’s first World Cup qualification.
  • 65. Sissi: Brazilian creative force and joint-top scorer at 1999 World Cup, known for technical brilliance.
  • 64. Carla Overbeck: Defensive rock for USA with multiple World Cups and Olympics golds, played every minute of key tournaments.
  • 63. Christie Pearce: USWNT captain with two World Cups and three Olympic golds, a defensive stalwart.
  • 62. Pia Sundhage: Sweden’s top scorer on retirement, European Championship winner, later a renowned coach.
  • 61. Silvia Neid: German legend as both player and coach, won three European Championships and seven Bundesliga titles.

60-51: Legends of the Game

  • 60. Kelly Smith: England’s legendary forward, part of Arsenal’s quadruple winners, known for skill and scoring flair.
  • 59. Mia Hamm: US icon with 158 goals, two-time FIFA World Player of the Year, and 1999 World Cup winner.
  • 58. Perpetua Nkwoch: Nigeria’s record goal scorer, four-time African Player of the Year, and five-time Africa Cup of Nations winner.
  • 57. Jess McDonald: USWNT forward and 2019 World Cup winner, advocate for women's football, retired 2023.
  • 56. Alexandra Popp: Germany’s prolific scorer, three Champions Leagues, Olympic medals, retired in 2024.
  • 55. Lucy Bronze: England’s star right-back, five Champions Leagues, FIFA’s best female player in 2020.
  • 54. Homare Sawa: Japan’s 2011 World Cup hero, Golden Ball and Boot winner, and all-time top Japanese scorer.
  • 53. Vivianne Miedema: Netherlands’ record scorer, Champions League winner, and WSL top scorer.
  • 52. Brandi Chastain: Famous for 1999 World Cup-winning penalty celebration, two World Cups, and Olympic gold.
  • 51. Ada Hegerberg: Lyon’s top scorer, six Champions Leagues, and 2019 inaugural Ballon d’Or winner.

50-41: Defensive Powerhouses and Creative Minds

  • 50. Bettina Wiegmann: German midfielder with 154 caps, four European Championships, and a World Cup winner.
  • 49. Mapi Leon: Barcelona defender known for composure and tactical skill, multiple Champions Leagues.
  • 48. Alex Morgan: US forward with two World Cups, Olympic medals, and a viral 2019 World Cup celebration.
  • 47. Ali Krieger: US defender with two World Cups, two SheBelieves Cups, retired in 2023.
  • 46. Megan Rapinoe: Cultural icon and 2019 Ballon d’Or winner, two World Cups, and Olympic gold medalist.
  • 45. Sam Kerr: Australia’s top scorer, three NWSL golden boots, and multiple WSL titles with Chelsea.
  • 44. Patrizia Panico: Italy’s prolific scorer with 14 Golden Boots and 110 international goals.
  • 43. Caroline Seger: Most capped European player with 240 caps, Champions League winner and Olympic silver medallist.
  • 42. Christen Press: Two-time World Cup champion and USWNT star, influential both on and off pitch.
  • 41. Caroline Graham Hansen: Norway’s gifted attacker with 29 club trophies and four-time Norwegian Player of the Year.

40-31: Midfield Maestros and Tactical Leaders

  • 40. Shannon Boxx: Late bloomer who became key US midfielder, Olympic gold winner, and World Cup champion.
  • 39. Julie Ertz: Powerful US midfielder with two World Cups and four SheBelieves Cups.
  • 38. Salma Paralluelo: Rising star with unique World Cup, U20, and U17 wins; key player for Barcelona and Spain.
  • 37. Cristiane: Brazilian forward with two Olympic silvers and Champions League winner.
  • 36. Eugenie Le Sommer: Lyon and France's top scorer, four-time UEFA Women's Player of the Year, and multiple trebles.
  • 35. Lauren Holiday: Two Olympic golds and 2015 World Cup winner for the US, advocate post-retirement.
  • 34. Amandine Henry: French midfielder with 28 trophies including seven Champions Leagues, still active.
  • 33. Wendie Renard: Lyon’s dominant central defender with 16 league titles and eight Champions Leagues.
  • 32. Crystal Dunn: Versatile US player with World Cup, Olympic gold, and nine club trophies.
  • 31. Aya Miyama: Japanese midfielder key in 2011 World Cup win, known for technical skills and leadership.

30-21: Veterans and Record Holders

  • 30. Doris Fitschen: German defender with multiple European Championships and Bundesliga titles.
  • 29. Sandra Minnert: Technical German defender with two World Cups and six Silbernes Lorbeerblatt awards.
  • 28. Tobin Heath: US winger with two World Cups, Olympic golds, and NWSL titles, currently sidelined by injury.
  • 27. Melanie Behringer: German midfielder with World Cup, European Championships, and Olympic gold medals.
  • 26. Joy Fawcett: USA defender with two World Cups and an Olympic gold, known for scoring ability.
  • 24. Hege Riise: Norwegian midfielder with a World Cup, European Championships, and Olympic gold medals.
  • 23. Carli Lloyd: US legend with 134 international goals, two World Cups, two Olympic golds, and 2015 FIFA World Player of the Year.
  • 22. Hope Solo: US goalkeeper with World Cup, Olympic golds, and 102 clean sheets.
  • 21. Tiffeny Milbrett: US striker with 100 international goals, Olympic gold, and World Cup winner.

20-11: Elite Goal Scorers and Tactical Masters

  • 20. Inka Grings: Germany’s top Bundesliga scorer at retirement, two-time European Championship winner.
  • 19. Nadine Angerer: German goalkeeper who won two World Cups and five European Championships, FIFA Player of the Year.
  • 18. Ariane Hingst: German midfielder with two World Cups, four European Championships, and six domestic trophies.
  • 17. Carin Jennings: US winger with 1991 World Cup Golden Ball and Olympic gold medal.
  • 16. Abby Wambach: US striker known for aerial power, FIFA Player of the Year 2012, and World Cup winner.
  • 15. Alexia Putellas: Barcelona legend, two-time Ballon d'Or winner, and 2023 World Cup champion with Spain.
  • 15. Lotta Schelin: Sweden’s top scorer, eight-time league champion with Lyon, and Euro 2013 top scorer.
  • 14. Kelley O'Hara: US defender with two World Cups, Olympic gold and bronze medals.
  • 13. Kerstin Garefrekes: German forward with multiple Bundesliga and Champions League titles and back-to-back World Cups.
  • 12. Renate Lingnor: German midfielder with two World Cups, three European Championships, and seven Bundesliga titles.
  • 11. Julie Foudy: US midfielder with two World Cups, three Olympic golds, and 274 caps.

Top 10: The Greatest of All Time

  • 10. Aitana Bonmati: Spanish midfielder, 2023 World Cup winner and back-to-back Ballon d'Or recipient with 22 trophies at Barcelona.
  • 9. Heidi St re: Norwegian midfielder and 1995 World Cup-winning captain with multiple European titles.
  • 8. Anja Mittag: German striker with five Bundesliga titles, two European Cups, and a World Cup.
  • 7. Birgit Prinz: German legend with five European Championships, two World Cups, and three FIFA Player of the Year awards.
  • 6. Sun Wen: China’s greatest player, co-FIFA Player of the Century, 1999 World Cup Golden Ball and Boot winner.
  • 5. Michelle Akers: US forward, holder of 1991 World Cup goal record, and FIFA Female Player of the Century.
  • 4. Heidi Mohr: German striker and Europe’s Player of the Century with numerous Bundesliga Golden Boots.
  • 3. Christine Sinclair: Canada’s all-time leading scorer with 190 goals and 331 caps, Olympic gold medalist.
  • 2. Kristine Lilly: Holds the record for most international caps (354) and 130 goals for the USA over 23 years.
  • 1. Marta: Brazilian icon and six-time FIFA World Player of the Year, top scorer in World Cup history, and international legend retiring in 2024.

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