Women’s football has grown a lot over the years. The introduction of the Women’s Champions League in 2001 helped shine a light on many amazing female players. Today, women’s football is more popular and competitive than ever before. Many players are now household names, just like their male counterparts. Some of the best female footballers in the world have shown incredible talent, skill, and passion on the field.
Top 10 best female footballers in the world in 2024
| Rank | Player | Country | Club | Key Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | Lauren James | England | Chelsea | 3 goals & 3 assists in the 2023 World Cup |
| 9 | Mary Earps | England | Manchester United | BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2023 |
| 8 | Trinity Rodman | USA | Washington Spirit | Known for the “Trin Spin” & excellent assists |
| 7 | Mariona Caldentey | Spain | Arsenal | 3 Champions League titles with Barcelona |
| 6 | Khadija Shaw | Jamaica | Manchester City | 53 goals in 62 games since 2021 |
| 5 | Linda Caicedo | Colombia | Real Madrid | First Colombian to score in 3 World Cups |
| 4 | Caroline Hansen | Norway | Barcelona | 21 goals in 25 appearances in 2024 |
| 3 | Barbra Banda | Zambia | Orlando Pride | 12 goals in 11 starts in 2024 |
| 2 | Naomi Girma | USA | San Diego Wave | Best defender in the NWSL, 22 shots blocked |
| 1 | Aitana Bonmati | Spain | Barcelona | Helped Barcelona win the quadruple in 2024 |
10. Lauren James – England
Lauren James is one of the top forward players in women’s football today. She showed off her skills during the 2023 World Cup, where she scored three goals and gave three assists. This helped England reach the finals. Lauren plays for Chelsea, and her brother, Reece James, also plays for the same club, making them the first brother-sister duo in modern football to do so.
9. Mary Earps – England
Mary Earps is known as “Miss Dependable” because she is so reliable in goal. She plays as a goalkeeper for Manchester United. In 2023, she won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award. Her fantastic performances helped her team qualify for the UEFA Champions League. Mary was also the first goalkeeper to finish fifth in the Ballon d’Or voting.
8. Trinity Rodman – USA
Trinity Rodman is an exciting player from the USA. Known for her sharp moves, including the “Trin Spin,” she is a nightmare for defenders. Rodman has been a regular player for the USWNT since 2023. She not only excels in attack but also helps in defense when needed. Her talent and work rate make her one of the best female footballers in the world.
7. Mariona Caldentey – Spain
Mariona Caldentey has won many trophies in her career, including three Champions League titles with Barcelona. She was also a key player in helping Barcelona win four major trophies in one season. In 2024, she joined Arsenal, continuing her impressive career. With over 200 appearances for Barcelona, she is a club legend.
6. Khadija Shaw – Jamaica
Khadija Shaw, known as “Bunny,” is a goal-scoring machine. Since joining Manchester City in 2021, she has scored 53 goals in 62 games. She won the WSL Golden Boot in 2023, scoring 21 goals, even though she missed the last three games due to injury. Her goal-scoring ability is amazing, and she also has 57 goals for Jamaica in just 44 matches.
5. Linda Caicedo – Colombia
Linda Caicedo is known for her incredible goals. At just 19, she signed with Real Madrid after showing off her talent at the 2023 World Cup. She became the first Colombian to score in three World Cups: U-17, U-20, and senior. Linda was also part of an Adidas commercial with famous players like Lionel Messi and Jude Bellingham.
4. Caroline Hansen – Norway
Caroline Hansen is one of the best wingers in women’s football. In 2024, she scored 21 goals in 25 appearances for Barcelona. Her skill and finesse on the ball are unmatched. She was even nominated for the Ballon d’Or, where she finished second. Caroline’s year has been nothing short of spectacular.
3. Barbra Banda – Zambia
Barbra Banda made a huge impact in 2024. She joined Orlando Pride for a record fee of $740,000. Since then, she has scored 12 goals and made 5 assists in 11 starts. Barbra also helped Zambia qualify for the 2024 Olympics, scoring crucial goals in their match against Morocco.
2. Naomi Girma – USA
Naomi Girma is considered one of the best defenders in the world. She has earned praise from her coach, Emma Hayes, for her outstanding performances. Naomi is known for her great positioning, vision, and ability to stop goals. She blocked 22 shots in the NWSL in 2024, showing her importance to the team.
1. Aitana Bonmati – Spain
Aitana Bonmati is at the top of our list for the best female footballers in the world. She helped Barcelona win the quadruple in 2024, including La Liga, the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Copa de la Reina, and the Spanish Supercopa. Aitana also played a key role in Spain’s success, scoring seven goals. She is a big-game player who always knows how to make an impact.
These incredible women have shown the world the power and beauty of women’s football. They continue to inspire millions with their talent and determination. Keep an eye on them as they continue to break records and make history.
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