Top 10 Female Footballers in the World 2025 Rankings

Top 10 Female Footballers in the World 2025 Rankings brings you the ultimate countdown of the most dominant and inspiring female players lighting up the global stage. From record-breaking goals to unforgettable match-winning performances, this list dives deep into the stars who have defined women’s football in 2025. Whether it’s technical brilliance, leadership under pressure, or game-changing vision, these players have delivered excellence in every area of the pitch.

In this comprehensive ranking, we evaluate form, consistency, and impact across club and international competitions—including the UEFA Women’s Champions League, NWSL, and major international tournaments. From established legends continuing to reign to rising phenoms making headlines, this list captures the very best women’s football has to offer this year.

Find out which standout talents made the top 10 and what set them apart in a fiercely competitive field. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or just beginning your journey into women’s football, this ranking is your go-to guide for understanding who’s leading the sport in 2025. Discover the names shaping the future of the game—because women’s football isn’t just growing, it’s thriving.

10. Fridolina Rolfö (Barcelona & Sweden)

Fridolina Rolfö remains one of the most dependable and dynamic left-sided players in the world. Known for her strong runs, crisp deliveries, and relentless energy, the Swedish international has been a cornerstone for both FC Barcelona and her national team in 2025. Whether deployed as a full-back, wing-back, or wide forward, Rolfö adapts seamlessly to her role, giving managers tactical flexibility.

This season, she played a crucial role in helping Barcelona clinch another domestic double while progressing deep into the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Her defensive awareness combined with attacking instincts made her a two-way threat. Offensively, she contributed key goals and assists, often in high-pressure matches. Defensively, her ability to track back and win duels ensured her side remained balanced.

Internationally, Rolfö led Sweden with poise, mentoring younger players and playing a vital role during Olympic qualifiers and international friendlies. Her experience and consistency continue to elevate her reputation among Europe’s finest. While she may not always grab headlines, her all-around contributions and professionalism make her one of the most complete players in women’s football. In 2025, Rolfö once again proved why she’s an irreplaceable figure in every team she plays for.

9. Debinha (Kansas City Current & Brazil)

Debinha remains one of the most creative and technically gifted players in women’s football. Representing Kansas City Current in the NWSL and Brazil on the international stage, she brought elegance and efficiency to every match in 2025. Her low center of gravity, close control, and instinctive flair made her a nightmare for defenders, especially in tight spaces.

This year, Debinha was instrumental in Kansas City’s attacking success. She scored and assisted in crucial matches, helping her side maintain a consistent push for playoff contention. Her ability to unlock defenses with one touch or a clever through ball was central to her team’s offensive rhythm. She also remained a dependable penalty taker and set-piece threat, increasing her overall contribution.

For Brazil, Debinha acted as a senior figure and key playmaker. In friendlies and competitive qualifiers, she stood out as a game-changer. Even when Brazil’s results were mixed, Debinha’s performances continued to shine through her effort and vision. At 33, she’s aging gracefully, adding experience and leadership to her technical brilliance.

In a year full of young talent and emerging stars, Debinha held her ground as one of the most respected names in global football. Her presence still commands attention wherever she plays.

8. Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona & Norway)

Caroline Graham Hansen remains one of the most electrifying wingers in women’s football. Her ability to glide past defenders, whip in pinpoint crosses, and score sensational goals has made her a nightmare for full-backs. In 2025, she was a consistent threat on the right wing for FC Barcelona, helping the Catalan giants maintain their dominance domestically and in Europe.

With quick feet and a sharp footballing brain, Hansen often created magic out of nothing. Her dribbling in one-on-one situations was unmatched, and her combination play with midfielders like Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas resulted in countless scoring opportunities. In crucial matches, her flair and creativity often broke open tightly contested games.

On the international stage, although Norway had an uneven campaign, Hansen remained their brightest spark. Her leadership and experience helped guide a relatively young Norwegian squad through transitional phases. Despite injuries in prior seasons, 2025 was one of her more consistent years in terms of fitness and form.

Hansen’s maturity, refined decision-making, and relentless work ethic added depth to her already impressive skill set. At 30, she continues to operate at an elite level, proving that her combination of style and substance still ranks among the best in the world.

7. Mary Earps (Manchester United & England)

Mary Earps has once again proven why she is among the top goalkeepers on the planet. In 2025, she was the backbone of both Manchester United’s defense and the England national team, turning in world-class performances week after week. Her reflexes, positional awareness, and vocal leadership from the back make her indispensable.

At Manchester United, she faced an incredibly high shot volume throughout the season, yet she consistently delivered under pressure. Earps kept multiple clean sheets in high-stakes matches, including crucial games in the Women’s Super League and domestic cup runs. Her penalty-saving heroics and clutch saves in stoppage time earned her admiration across Europe.

Internationally, Earps was once again central to England’s success. She was a key figure during their Olympic qualification matches and friendlies, often wearing the captain’s armband and organizing a backline in transition. Her experience, especially in reading attacking patterns, helped keep England solid against some of the best offensive units.

Beyond her performances on the field, Earps has become a symbol of resilience and professionalism. Her confidence and humility off the pitch inspire young goalkeepers everywhere. In 2025, she didn’t just make great saves—she elevated every team she played for, standing tall among the world’s best.

6. Alexandra Popp (Wolfsburg & Germany)

Alexandra Popp continues to be one of the most commanding strikers in the women’s game. Her presence inside the box is unmatched, and her physical dominance in aerial duels has terrorized defenders throughout 2025. For both Wolfsburg and the German national team, she remained a cornerstone of tactical plans and an emotional leader on the pitch.

At club level, Popp was the focal point of Wolfsburg’s attack. She scored a variety of goals—headers, volleys, and clinical finishes from inside the area. Her ability to hold up play and bring others into the game made her crucial in Wolfsburg’s build-up play, especially during Champions League matches where experience matters.

For Germany, Popp was an ever-reliable captain. Her leadership qualities shone through as she guided her national team through Olympic qualifiers and international tournaments. She remained a model of consistency, both as a scorer and as a mentor to younger players breaking into the senior setup.

At 34, Popp is defying the limits of age in elite sport. Her game intelligence, conditioning, and mental toughness have allowed her to continue producing at a world-class level. In a competitive field of forwards, Alexandra Popp’s 2025 season reaffirmed her status as a true icon of women’s football.

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5. Alexia Putellas (Barcelona & Spain)

After a couple of injury-hit seasons, Alexia Putellas made a powerful comeback in 2025, re-establishing herself as one of the most graceful and intelligent midfielders in football. Her return to peak form was a major boost for both FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team, who benefited from her unique blend of vision, passing range, and leadership.

At Barcelona, Putellas played a pivotal role in orchestrating attacks from deep and linking up seamlessly with forwards. Her ability to control the tempo of a match and dictate play from midfield reminded fans of why she was once the best player in the world. She also chipped in with timely goals, proving she hasn’t lost her scoring touch.

For Spain, Alexia was a calming presence amid tactical changes. She anchored the midfield and offered a sense of stability and control, particularly in games where her side needed leadership. Her experience and tactical understanding elevated the play of those around her.

In a season where many questioned whether she could return to the top, Putellas silenced doubters with class and consistency. Her performance in 2025 wasn’t just a comeback—it was a statement that greatness, once achieved, never truly fades away.

4. Sam Kerr (Chelsea & Australia)

Despite dealing with injuries at the beginning of the season, Sam Kerr bounced back to deliver a phenomenal 2025. The Chelsea striker remains one of the most feared finishers in world football, blending explosive speed, intelligent movement, and clinical goal-scoring instincts that few can rival.

Once fully fit, Kerr was back to tormenting defenders in the Women’s Super League. Her sharpness in front of goal and understanding with fellow attackers allowed Chelsea to mount a serious challenge in both domestic and European competitions. Whether through headers, breakaway runs, or clever link-up play, Kerr proved she’s still at the top of her game.

For Australia, she remains the heartbeat of the Matildas. Even in limited appearances due to careful management of her fitness, Kerr showed her ability to change games. Her leadership and professionalism continue to set the standard, particularly for the next generation of Australian talent.

2025 reminded the world that Sam Kerr doesn’t need a full season to dominate. Even in a campaign impacted by recovery and rotation, she left an indelible mark. Her performances were a mix of explosiveness and maturity, proving that true world-class talent doesn’t fade—it adapts and overcomes.

3. Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona & Spain)

Aitana Bonmatí had another masterful year in 2025, further solidifying her place among the top three footballers in the world. Her ability to dictate play from midfield, glide past opponents, and control the game with elegance and precision made her irreplaceable for both Barcelona and Spain.

At club level, Bonmatí was once again the architect of Barcelona’s attacking rhythm. Her partnership with Putellas and Walsh in midfield offered a blend of creativity, control, and dynamism. She chipped in with crucial goals, but her real magic came in the form of assists, progressive passes, and her uncanny ability to find space in crowded areas.

On the international stage, Aitana was the beating heart of Spain’s midfield. She maintained her high standards during qualifiers and international friendlies, demonstrating maturity far beyond her years. Her footballing IQ, composure under pressure, and awareness of space consistently allowed Spain to dominate possession.

Bonmatí’s 2025 was not just about performance—it was about consistency, leadership, and evolution. She has become more than just a creative player; she is a conductor, a tempo-setter, and a leader. In every major match, her influence was clear, proving that she remains one of the most impactful players in world football today.

2. Keira Walsh (Barcelona & England)

Keira Walsh was the strategic brain behind every game she played in 2025. The English midfielder showcased an extraordinary understanding of the game, becoming the pivot that allowed her teams to function fluidly and effectively. Her vision, positioning, and technical excellence earned her widespread praise.

For Barcelona, Walsh was the unsung hero in a team full of attacking stars. She shielded the defense while initiating attacks, breaking lines with inch-perfect passes. Her ability to read the game and cut off passing lanes kept Barcelona defensively compact and offensively fluid. She offered the perfect balance—reliable in defense and creative in transition.

With England, she played a similar role, anchoring the midfield and acting as a mentor to younger players. Her presence allowed England to play with freedom and structure simultaneously. Whether in qualifiers or competitive friendlies, Walsh was always calm under pressure, offering a sense of control when it was most needed.

2025 cemented Walsh’s status as the best defensive midfielder in the women’s game. Her importance doesn’t always show in highlight reels, but every top coach and player knows just how vital she is. Keira Walsh is the kind of player who makes the game look simple—because she plays it at a level few can reach.

1. Lauren James (Chelsea & England)

Lauren James has taken women’s football by storm in 2025. This was the year she evolved from a rising star into the best female footballer on the planet. Her technical brilliance, dazzling dribbling, and game-breaking creativity have made her the most exciting and impactful player in the game today.

For Chelsea, James was unstoppable. She danced through defenses with ease, scored spectacular goals, and created endless chances for her teammates. Her performances in high-stakes games elevated her club’s campaign, and her match-winning abilities became a defining feature of Chelsea’s attack. Whether starting or coming off the bench, James changed games instantly.

On the international stage, she became England’s go-to attacking force. Her ability to play across the front line made her a nightmare to mark, and she delivered standout performances in Olympic qualifiers and international tournaments. Beyond statistics, it was her flair, confidence, and creativity that inspired fans and teammates alike.

Lauren James didn’t just have a great season—she redefined what it means to be a complete forward. In 2025, she proved that talent, when matched with maturity and confidence, creates a generational player. At only 23, she leads the new era of women’s football—and she’s just getting started.

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