Best female soccer players in the world today

Last month, the highly anticipated 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup concluded with Spain crowned winners, having beaten European champions England 1-0 in the final.

The ninth edition of the tournament, which was hosted in Australia and New Zealand and included 32 national teams for the first time, saw an unprecedented amount of talent take the field, and cemented the growing popularity of women’s football among global audiences.

Among the diverse array of players from all corners of the world who performed on the world stage, some stood out as the most exceptional athletes in their field, with the ability to captivate audiences and change games. To mark the conclusion of this spectacular tournament, we’ve compiled a list of the best female soccer players in the world today:

• Sam Kerr (Australia): The Australian forward plays for Chelsea FC Women in the English Women’s Super League (WSL), and is widely considered one of the best forwards of all time. Although an unfortunate calf injury prevented her from making much of an impact in the latest World Cup, Kerr remains the all-time leading Australian international scorer, as well as the all-time leading scorer in the United States’ National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL).
• Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands): a Dutch forward, Miedema plays for Arsenal Women in the English WSL and is known for her prolific goal-scoring record. Despite missing out on the World Cup through injury, Miedema has earnt her place on this list, becoming the first player to be involved in 100 goals in the FA Women’s Super League last season, as well as the all-time leading scorer in the league. 
• Wendie Renard (France): Renard is a highly regarded and decorated French defender who captains Olympique Lyonnais – the most successful club in European Women’s football – in the French Division 1 Féminine. In the 2021-22 season, Renard led Lyon to a superb Division 1 Feminine-Champions League double, marking the 16^th league win of her distinguished career.
• Pernille Harder (Denmark): The Danish midfielder plays for Bayern Munich in the Frauen-Bundesliga and is known for her versatility and skill. She has over 140 caps for Denmark and, during the latest World Cup, helped the team progress from the group stages for the first time since 1995.
• Aitana Bonmatí (Spain): Bonmatí is the beating heart of the triumphant Barcelona and Spain midfields, scoring 17 goals in the Primera Division and the Champions League last season. She starred in Spain’s squad as they won the 2023 World Cup, winning the Golden Ball award as the tournament’s best player in the process.
• Barbara Bonansea (Italy): an Italian forward who plays for Juventus Women, Bonansea has been a key figure for both club and country. Despite a lengthy history of injuries, she is still ranked third in all-time appearances for Juventus, and she was inducted into Italy’s football hall of fame last year in recognition of her leading role in women’s football.
• Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway): Hansen plays as a winger for FC Barcelona and the Norwegian national team, and has gained plaudits for her dribbling and playmaking abilities. Barca have won nine of a possible 12 trophies since she joined in 2019, which illustrates the impact of Hansen’s talents at the club.
• Lauren Hemp (England): Hemp contributed 21 goals and 10 assists for Manchester City this season, and has made the PFA WSL Team of the Year two years running. “Lauren is a top player, she knows she’s taken her game to really high levels,” said Man City manager Gareth Taylor. “What she brings with the ball is fantastic — she’s got high energy, and we’re always looking to help her with decision-making.”
• Alexia Putellas (Spain): the Barcelona captain won back-to-back Ballons d’Or and was named The Best FIFA Women’s Player in 2021. She not only leads Barca on the pitch but is quickly becoming the face of the team off it, replacing Lionel Messi on advertising boards around the city, and played a crucial part in her nation’s 2023 World Cup victory from the substitute’s bench.
• Marta Vieira da Silva (Brazil): known simply as “Marta”, da Silva is a Brazilian footballer who plays as a forward for the Orlando Pride in the National Women’s Soccer League, and is often regarded as the greatest female footballer of all time. She is the Brazilian national team’s top goalscorer, with 115 goals, and holds the record for most goals scored in World Cup tournaments (men’s and women’s combined), with 17.