Top 10 Highest Paid Female Footballer in the World - 2026 (Ranked)

The landscape of women’s football has elevated in recent decades, 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 have all played major roles in skyrocketing women's football popularity.

The financial rewards for elite female footballers have also seen a considerable increase, reflecting their growing fame and fan base appeal. In this article, we will identify and analyse the financial structure and overall earnings of the top 10 highest paid female footballer at present. This list of highest paid female footballer 2026 includes some of the biggest current women's football sensations; also, there are a few notable absentees, such as Alisha Lehmann, Ana Maria Marković & Jordyn Huitema etc.

List of Highest Paid Female Footballers

Let's take a glance at the highest paid female footballers currently. The table given below will present a consolidated table summarising the highest female footballer wage based on estimated total earnings (salary + endorsements).

How did we rank the Highest Paid Female Football Player?

Here are are ranking factors used to explore top 10 highest paid female football player, we have primarily considered wages, endrosments deals and other commerical activities.

• 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 comes from endorsement deals with global brands. Players leverage their image and popularity to promote products and services. In addition to performence related bonuses was crucial in ranking highest paid female footballer in the world.
• Commercial activities: Income derived from image rights and commercial activities such as investments and bussiness ventures, plays a crucial role in the total compensation of these top athletes. This parameter played a huge role in compiling the list of the highest paid female football player.

Who is the Highest Paid Female Footballer at Present?

As women's football commercial appeal continues to boost, 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 other steams of incomne.

10. Trinity Rodman (USA)

In her early 20s, the daughter of NBA icon Denis Rodman, Trinity Rodman has quickly established herself as a rising star in the women’s football landscape. She is a dynamic forward for the Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the USWNT. She recently put pen to paper, signing a major deal with Spirits until 2028, which is reportedly one of the most lucrative deals in NWSL history.

Trinity also benefits significantly from endorsement deals with major companies such as Adidas, Red Bull and Oakley. The forward is seen promoting brands on her social media handles. Moreover, she has also authored a children’s book and is one of the highest paid female footballer in the world right now. At 18, Rodman Jr became the youngest player to get picked in the 2021 NWSL Draft and won the Rookie of the Year award.

9. Marta (Brazil)

She is widely considered the greatest female footballer of all time. Marta Vieira da Silva continues to showcase her class on the pitch 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 and her successful career.

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. After a decent season, she made it into the top 30 nominees for the Ballon d'Or Féminin Award 2025.

8. Christine Sinclair (Canada)

The iconic Canadian icon, Christine Sinclair is an inspirational figure in Canadian football who retired from international football; however, she continued to play club football for the Portland Thorns in the NWSL until the end of the 2024 season. The Canadian forward’s status as the all-time leading scorer in international football, is hailed as the greatest female footballer from Canada. She broke countless records in her career.

During his 12-year stint with Thorns, Sinclair claimed three NWSL Championships and made them one of the strongest sides in the league. Christine 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. The forward is ranked eighth in the list of the highest female footballer wage in recent years.

7. Wendie Renard (France)

The long-standing captain of Olympique Lyonnais and the French women's national team, Wendie Renard, is a dominant force in defence and a decorated player in European football. She is the most decorated player in club football, winning 14 French titles and seven European championships, while amassing over 160 caps for France. Renard is renowned as one of the best defenders in the world for her impeccable defensive prowess.

Her long tenure and leadership role suggest she benefits from commercial partnerships. Born in Martinique, Wendie has been associated with the sportswear brand Adidas and MasterCard. Along with her endorsement earnings, reportedly, Wendie Renard earns a significant salary of £297,000 playing for Olympique Lyonnais. Thanks to her successful professional career, Wendie sits 7th in the list of the highest female footballer wage.

6. Ada Hegerberg (Norway)

Ada Hegerberg had joined forces with Olympique Lyonnais in 2014. At the international level, Hegerberg represents the Norwegian women's team, and she is porlific goal scorer famous for his consistency in front of goal. Over the past decade, she has been a key figure for Lyon and holds the record for most goals in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, which contributes to her high earning potential.

The 2018 Ballon d’Or Féminin winner is among the highest earners in women’s football, with a reported salary of $470,000 at Lyon. She secured a ten-year Nike deal worth over €1 million. Therefore, Ada Hegerberg is one of the best paid female footballer in the world at the moment. Apart from her significant salary, her income is further complemented by various endorsement deals with major international brands.

5. Sophia Smith (USA)

The American forward Sophia Smith has emerged as a prominent figure for the Portland Thorns and the United States Women's National Team. She is known for her dynamic attacking skills, possessing tremendous pace, dribbling ability, and ball control, along with clinical finishing. Smith's lucrative contract with the Portland Thorns helped her rank so high on our list of the highest-paid players in the NWSL.

Sophia is married to an NFL player Michael Wilson, and the couple are quite popular, which reflects on her market value, popularity and the league’s increasing financial investment. Thorns attacker has a growing list of endorsements, including deals with Gatorade, 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)

The English midfielder Keira Walsh's transfer to Chelsea W from Barcelona involved a significant fee, indicating her high value and likely corresponding high salary with the London club. Walsh has been pivotal in the England women's national team's recent success, including their Euro 2022 winning campaign. Her profile and marketability are impressive, suggesting notable benefits from endorsement deals.

The ex-Barcelona player has signed a major deal with American sportsmanfactuer Nike. She has also featured in creative shoots for 'STATUS' a firm associated to EPL stars like Declan Rice, Ollie Watkins and etc. Walsh also played for Manchester City and Barcelona before moving to the English capital breaking the world record fee for a women’s footballer at the time with a reported $1.1 million (£880,000) indicates her high value in the sport.

3. Sam Kerr (Australia)

The Matildas and Chelsea Women's star, Sam Kerr, is amongst the most famous women’s soccer players. She is the captain of the Australian national team and a vital cog for the English champions. In 2019, Kerr had moved to the English capital, joining Chelsea from the Chicago Red Stars following a MVP winning campaign, where the 31-year-old bagged 19 goals in 23 matches in NWSL.

Her contract extension with Chelsea, which reflects the importance of the Australian attacker in the team’s success in the Women’s Super League. She has established herself as one of highest paid female footballer 2026, reportedly earning over $3.34 million. Her endorsement portfolio includes a $1 million deal with Nike and a reported $600,000 per season contract with MasterCard. These partnerships emphasise her role model image and influence among young female athletes.

2. Alexia Putellas (Spain)

The Two-time Ballon d’Or winner, Alexia Putellas is no less than an icon for FC Barcelona. In addition to her earnings, Putellas has secured endorsement deals from major brands including Nike, VISA, Allianz, and Hublot. Not only does she have skills, but off the field, she has amassed cult-like followers, thanks to her stunning beauty and is regarded as one of the hottest female football players in the world.

Last year, in April 2025, the Barcelona skipper became a global ambassador for Pepsi. Alexia's partnership aligns with Pepsi’s renewed focus on women’s football, coinciding with their extended sponsorship of UEFA Women’s Football through 2030. The 31-year-old forward is ranked second behind her Spaniard teammate Aitana Bonmatí, on the list of the highest female footballers wages in 2026.

1. Aitana Bonmatí (Spain)

Spanish star Aitana Bonmatí continues to solidify her position as one of the best female soccer players of all time. Three Ballon d’Ors accolades and two FIFA Best awards, speaks volumne of his career as a player. Bonmati is under contract with Barcelona until 2028, which 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.

The forward has lifted 21 major titles with her club, including 6 Liga F, 7 Copa de la Reina, 6 Spanish Super Cup, and 3 UEFA Women's Champions League. With Spain women's national team, Aitana won the 2023 FIFA World Cup and Nations League. Subsequently, boosting her commercial portfolio by leveraging her on-field success. The 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.