Here are the highest paid women’s footballers in the world – and how they compare to the highest paid men

By last updated

Carli Lloyd is top of the wage list for women's football - but still earns considerably less that the likes of Lionel Messi

Carli Lloyd
(Image credit: PA)

Women’s football may be taking enormous strides in terms of popularity and finances – but even the highest paid female footballers are far behind their male counterparts when it comes to wages.

The top five highest paid women footballers has been revealed by France Football magazine – and the list reveals how large the pay gap still remains.

BARCELONA How much does Lionel Messi earn?

The highest-paid player in the women's game is currently USWNT star Carli Lloyd, who takes home over $518,000 a year from playing in the National Women's Soccer League for NJ/NY Gotham FC - who were known as Sky Blue FC until last year.

According to Forbes, however, football's highest-paid man - Barcelona's Lionel Messi - earns over 2000% more than Lloyd does.

Despite the development of British football and the rise of the Women's Super League in recent years, there are no British players on the list. Australian Sam Kerr of Chelsea, however, comes in at second.

Alex Morgan, who went on loan to Tottenham Hotspur last season, is third on the list with her fellow World Cup winners, Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz making up the top five.

Here are the top five highest paid women’s footballers, and their annual income:

5. Julie Ertz (Chicago Red Stars)

$430,000/£315,000

4. Megan Rapinoe (OL Reign)

$447,000/£328,000

3. Alex Morgan (Orlando Pride)

$450,000/£330,000

2. Sam Kerr (Chelsea)

$500,000/£366,000

1. Carli Lloyd (NJ/NY Gotham FC)

$518,000/£379,000

Subscribe to FourFourTwo today and get a FREE England Euro 96 shirt!

READ NEXT

FOOTBALL SHIRTS Football Shirt Collective reimagine new shirts with old sponsors

FANTASY PREMIER LEAGUE Everything you need to know about FPL this season

THIS IS ANFIELD 5 things to watch out for in Liverpool's pre-season

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.