The 50 best women's football players who have ever lived: from Marta to Minnert, Wambach to Wiegmann and everyone in between
(Image credit: Future)
Of the 50 best women's football players of all time, plenty are still going strong as the women's game continues to flourish - though that doesn't mean its rich history should be ignored, either. While supporters continue to be attracted to the women's game at a rapid pace, we pay tribute to the best to have ever graced the pitch.
With an array of incredible talent to pick from, we look at not only those who have enjoyed success after success on both a domestic and international level, but also those who have wowed with their delectable individual ability on a consistent basis. From big game players to memorable moment-makers, this list offers an exciting glimpse into the future of the sport as it continues to grow at an ever-expanding rate.
A complete compendium of every woman to have held GOAT status in the eye of the beholder: this is the definitive half-century of the greatest woman's football players of all time. Let the arguments and disagreements commence - enjoy!
The 50 best women's football players of all time
50. Eugénie Le Sommer
Eugenie Le Sommer of France (Image credit: Getty Images)
The top scorer in the history of both Lyon and France, Eugénie Le Sommer is one of the greatest goalscorers of her generation. Closing in on a century of international goals for France, with more than 300 strikes in her domestic career, Le Sommer is able to score both tap-ins and screamers.
Crowned UEFA Women's Player of the Year for four years in a row between 2015 and 2018, Le Sommer has contributed to a Lyon side where she won ten league titles in a row, eight Champions Leagues and eight Coupe De France trophies. Indeed, she's amassed a staggering five trebles at the all-conquering French side.
49. Patrizia Panico
Patrizia Panico playing for Italy (Image credit: Getty Images)
One of the greatest Italians to have ever played, Pancio's senior career spanned 23 years in an era where Italian domestic football was up there with the best. Panico won ten league titles as well as an incredible 14 Golden Boots with her goal-scoring exploits in Serie A. Yes, you did read that correct. 14.
Plus, she managed 110 international goals and amassed 196 caps for the Azzurri, earning her a well-earned place in the Italian Hall of Fame. Though she never managed to win anything with her nation, she'll undeniably go down as one of the best.
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48. Carolina Morace
Carolina Morace of Italy (Image credit: Getty Images)
Just like Panico, Carolina Morace is one of Italy’s greatest goalscorers and also like Panico, didn’t get the chance to win the amount of silverware some of her compatriots on this list did, internationally at least.
Morace scored over 500 league goals and won the Golden Boot an incredible 11 seasons in a row. She scored the first-ever World Cup hat-trick and ended her career with 105 goals in 153 caps for Italy. If only her career coincided with Panico, Italy could well have won something.
47. Therese Sjögran
Therese Sjogran of Sweden (Image credit: Getty Images)
One of Sweden’s finest, Therese Sjögran is tied with Birgit Prinz as the European player with the most international caps at 214. She fell narrowly short in both the World Cup and European Championships with her nation unfortunately, finishing as runner-up in both tournaments during her career.
Despite that, she still managed to win five domestic titles, as well as compete in four World Cups, three European Championships and three Olympic Games.
46. Perpetua Nkwocha
Perpetua Nkwocha of Nigeria (Image credit: Getty Images)
With a claim to be the best African player ever, Nkwocha helped Nigeria win five of the seven Women's Africa Cup of Nations tournaments she competed in, leading her nation as captain with some mesmeric displays. Indeed, she set a tournament record of nine goals in the 2004 edition, including four finishes in the final against Cameroon.
An explosive player, Nkwocha was also named African Player of the Year four times, and managed 80 goals in 99 international games. Domestically, she starred for Swedish side Sunnanå SK.
45. Ann Kristin Aarønes
Ann Kristin Aarønes (Image credit: Getty)
Ann Kristin Aarønes may be one of the lesser known names on this list, but her contribution to one of the greatest success stories can’t be diminished.
Aarønes won the Golden Boot when Norway won the 1995 World Cup and was an all-star team member four years later. Aarønes scored 60 goals in just 111 caps for her country and domestically also picked up five league titles.
44. Silvia Neid
Silvia Neid of German (Image credit: Getty Images)
More recently the long-time head coach of the Germany national team, Silvia Neid also enjoyed a hugely successful playing career in which she formed part of a Germany side that won three European Championships between 1989 and 1995.
The midfielder also picked up seven Bundesliga titles, too, six of which came during a dominant period for TSV Siegen.
43. Bettina Wiegmann
Bettina Wiegmann of Germany (Image credit: Getty Images)
Another great from the dominant era of German football, Wiegmann also impressed as a midfielder across a 15-year career. An all-action player, she managed 51 goals in 154 caps for her country.
Plus, Wiegmann won four European Championships between 1991 and 2001, as well as the World Cup in 2003, walking away from her international career with five major honours.
42. Sissi
Sissi of Brazil (Image credit: Getty Images)
Sissi may have only had one standout tournament for Brazil, but what a display of undeniable quality it was.
A fabulous player better known for her creative and technical ability than her goalscoring, the diminutive Sissi still managed to finish as joint-top scorer at the 1999 World Cup with seven goals. On top of that, she bagged the tournament's first golden goal, helping her nation to third place.
A truly gifted player, her No.10 status in 1999 for the Selecao was a beautiful thing to watch, regardless of it ending in glory or not.
41. Wendie Renard
Wendie Renard celebrates scoring for Lyon (Image credit: Getty Images)
Still a current player at the top of her game, Renard's inclusion lies on her incredible longevity and dominant success with Lyon. One of the game's modern greats, the central defender has been integral for both club and country since she broke through in 2006.
Renard has an incredible 14 league titles with the French giants, seven Champions League titles – including five in a row – and has been named in the FIFPro World XI six times. Plus, she even manages to pop up with a consistent number of goals: she's closing in on 150 club strikes, with more than 30 at international level, too. A huge presence at both ends of the pitch.
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Rich Laverty has been a women’s football writer for a decade now, covering the game across the FA WSL, several FA Cup finals and live from the 2017 European Championships and 2019 World Cup. He has written regularly for publications in the UK and USA, including The Times, Guardian, Independent, iSport, FourFourTwo, Bleacher Report, The Blizzard, These Football Times and Our Game Magazine.
