Top 10 Highest Paid Female Footballers in the World

The landscape of women’s football has elevated in recent years, evolving from a largely amateur pursuit to a professional and increasingly commercially viable sport on the global stage. But how did things change drastically? Well, this recent rise in viewership, media attention, and a surge in sponsorship deals.

Consequently, the financial rewards for elite female footballers have also seen a considerable increase and reflecting their growing fame. Here, we aim to provide the financial structure of women’s football by identifying as well as analyzing the overall earnings of the top 10 highest paid female footballers currently.

List of Highest Female Footballers Wages

This section will present a consolidated table summarizing the highest female footballer wage based on estimated total earnings (salary + endorsements).

How We Ranked the Highest Paid Female Footballers?

Salary/Wage: The primary component while ranking the highest paid female footballer is the base salary stipulated in their contracts with professional clubs, which is influenced by their skill level, experience, market value, and the financial capacity of their respective teams.

Endorsements: A significant portion of their income also comes from endorsement deals with global brands, where players leverage their image and popularity to promote products and services. Performance-related bonuses from clubs and national teams for achievements like winning championships or reaching specific milestones further augment their earnings. This factor was crucial while ranking the highest paid female footballer in the world.

Commercial activities: Finally, income derived from image rights and other commercial activities, such as personal appearances and business ventures, plays a crucial role in the total compensation of these top athletes. This parameter played a huge role whole compiling the list of the highest paid female footballers.

Who is the Best Paid Female Footballer in 2025?

As the game’s commercial appeal continues to grow, so do the financial rewards for its most prominent figures. This section will highlight the top 10 highest paid female footballer, taking into account their salaries from their respective clubs and the income they generate through endorsements.

10. Trinity Rodman (USA, Washington Spirit)

Trinity Rodman, a dynamic forward for the Washington Spirit in the NWSL and the USWNT, has quickly established herself as a rising star in women’s football. Her contract with the Washington Spirit was reported to be the most lucrative in NWSL history at the time of signing, and she also benefits from endorsement deals with major companies.

The American forward has secured endorsement deals with brands such as Red Bull, Oakley, and Adidas. She has also authored a children’s book and is one of the highest paid female footballer in the world right now.

9. Marta (Brazil, Orlando Pride)

Widely considered the greatest female footballer of all time, Marta Vieira da Silva continues to showcase her exceptional talent for Orlando Pride in the NWSL and the Brazilian national team. While specific details about her current endorsements are not readily available, her enduring legacy in the sport suggests she continues to benefit from commercial partnerships.

Previously sponsored by Puma, Marta also served as an ambassador for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. While specific current endorsement values aren’t provided, her iconic status ensures continued commercial relevance. Marta is currently one of the highest paid female footballers in the world.

8. Christine Sinclair (Canada, Portland Thorns)

Christine Sinclair, a legendary figure in Canadian football, recently retired from the national team but continues to play for the Portland Thorns in the NWSL. The Canadian forward’s status as the all-time leading scorer in international football.

Christine Sinclair was announced as the official ambassador for Call2Recycle Canada’s “Recycle Your Batteries, Canada!” program in July 2024. This role involves raising awareness about battery recycling. Sinclair is ranked eighth in the list of the highest female footballer wage in 2025.

7. Wendie Renard (France, Lyon)

Wendie Renard, the long-standing captain of Olympique Lyonnais and the French national team, is a dominant force in defense and a decorated player in European football. While specific details regarding her endorsements are not provided in the public domain, her long tenure and leadership role suggest she benefits from commercial partnerships.

Wendie Renard earns a significant salary of £297,000 from her club Lyon. In addition to her club earnings, she has sponsorship deals with Adidas and MasterCard, contributing to her overall income. Wendie Renard is ranked seventh on the list of the highest female footballer wage in 2025.

6. Ada Hegerberg (Norway, Lyon)

Ada Hegerberg, a prolific striker for Olympique Lyonnais and the Norwegian national team, made history as the first-ever recipient of the Ballon d’Or Féminin. Hegerberg’s consistent goal-scoring record for Lyon, where she has been a key player since 2014 and holds the record for most goals in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, contributes to her high earning potential. Her significant salary is further complemented by various endorsement deals with major international brands.

Ada Hegerberg is among the highest earners in women’s football, with a reported salary of €400,000 (US$470,000) at Lyon. She secured a ten-year Nike deal worth over €1 million. Hegerberg is one of the best paid female footballer in the world currently.

5. Sophia Smith (USA, Portland Thorns)

Sophia Smith, emerged as a leading figure for the Portland Thorns and the USWNT, known for her dynamic attacking abilities. Her contract with the Portland Thorns helped her rank so high on our list of the highest-paid players in the NWSL, reflecting her value to the club and the league’s increasing financial investment.

Sophia Smith has a growing list of endorsements, including deals with Gatorade (announced in July 2024), Chipotle, Clif Bar, Xfinity, Google Pixel, Reese’s, Nike, and Truly. These partnerships reflect her rising profile in the sport. Sophia is one of the best paid female footballer in 2025.

4. Keira Walsh (England, Chelsea)

Keira Walsh’s transfer to Chelsea from Barcelona involved a significant fee, indicating her high value and likely corresponding high salary with the London club. As a linchpin in England’s midfield, including their Euro 2022 winning campaign, Walsh’s profile and marketability are substantial, suggesting she likely benefits from endorsement deals, although specific details are not provided in the available snippets.

Details regarding Keira Walsh’s specific sponsors and financial figures are limited in the provided context. However, her significant transfer to Chelsea, breaking the world record fee for a women’s footballer at the time with a reported $1.1 million (£880,000) move from Barcelona, indicates her high value in the sport.

3. Sam Kerr (Australia, Chelsea)

Sam Kerr, one of the most famous women’s soccer players, is the captain of the Australian national team (the Matildas) and a star striker for Chelsea. Her contract extension with Chelsea reflects how crucial role she plays in the team’s success in the Women’s Super League.

Sam Kerr has established herself as one of Australia’s highest-paid athletes, reportedly earning $3.34 million in 2022. Her endorsement portfolio includes a $1 million deal with Nike and a reported $600,000 per season contract with MasterCard. These partnerships emphasize her role model image and influence among young female athletes.

2. Alexia Putellas (Spain, Barcelona)

A two-time Ballon d’Or winner, Alexia Putellas is an iconic midfielder for FC Barcelona. In addition to her earnings, Putellas has secured endorsement deals from major brands including Nike, VISA, Allianz, and Hublot. The Spanish international has been in great form, showcasing why she is still regarded as one of the best female soccer players of all time.

Putellas has recently become a global ambassador for Pepsi as of April 2025. This partnership aligns with Pepsi’s renewed focus on women’s football, coinciding with their extended sponsorship of UEFA Women’s Football through 2030. Putellas is ranked second behind her teammate on the list of the highest female footballers wages in 2025.

1. Aitana Bonmatí (Spain, Barcelona)

Aitana Bonmatí continues to solidify her position as one of the best players in the world. Her recent contract extension with Barcelona until 2028 not only made her the highest paid female footballer but also reflected her immense value to the club amidst interest from other top European teams.

Aitana Bonmatí has increased her commercial portfolio, leveraging her on-field success. Recent move from Nike to Adidas signifies a major financial step, with reports indicating this is the largest commercial deal of its kind for a female soccer player globally. ​

Conclusion: The Future of Women’s Football as a Means of Earning

The financial landscape of women’s football is experiencing a period of growth, with the top players earning increasingly substantial salaries and securing valuable endorsement deals. Aitana Bonmatí’s position as the highest paid female footballer in 2025, with a salary exceeding $1 million, marks a significant milestone for the sport. However, the substantial salary gap that persists between male and female footballers underscores the continued disparities in the commercial value and investment in the two games.

While the top female players earn considerable amounts, the average professional still faces financial challenges, highlighting the need for further investment and development across all levels of women’s football. The increasing number of endorsement deals secured by these athletes indicates a growing recognition of their marketability and influence, suggesting a positive trajectory for the future financial growth of women’s football.