Football knows no gender, and the talented women are proving that with their breathtaking gameplay. The world of women's football is setting new standards which has made it difficult to pick the best ones.

Based on the current landscape of the sport, check out the best 10 women's footballers in the world right now.

10. Lauren James 

• National Team: England
• Club: Chelsea
• Position: Forward
• Goals: 65

Lauren James is an English footballer who plays as a forward for Chelsea in the WSL. She has won the PFA Women's Young Player of the Year award in 2022-23 for her exceptional skills at a young age.

She previously played for Arsenal and Manchester United and switched to Chelsea in 2021. She has scored a total of 58 goals in 155 appearances across all clubs.

Lauren plays a major role in the England women's team, having 7 international goals in 27 appearances for England.

Read Also | Chelsea Women sign Naomi Girma for a world-record transfer fee

9. Klara Bühl

• National Team: Germany
• Club: Bayern Munich
• Position: Forward 
• Goals: 92

Klara Bühl is a professional german player who plays as left winger or forward. She is 17 year old and is considered as one of the best young wingers in Europe.

She was a part of SC Freiburg for four years before joining FC Bayern Munich in 2020. Klara has scored 65 goals in 230 appearances for clubs, and 27 international goals in 65 appearances for Germany.

Read Also: 10 Best Women's Football Players and Leagues You Must Watch in 2025

8. Salma Paralluelo

• National Team: Spain
• Club: FC Barcelona
• Position: Forward
• Goals: 99

The Spanish left winger, Salma Paralluelo, is a born champion, with all three 3 World Cups to her name. She started her career as a sprinter and holds several records in the categories of under 16 and 18.

Salma won the FIFA Women's World Cup with the Spanish senior team in 2023, the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2020, and FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2018. She also won the U-17 UEFA U-17 Women's Championship in 2018.

Salma has scored 85 goals in 125 club appearances and 14 goals in 35 appearances for Spain.

Read Also | Sarina Wiegman dedicates Uefa Women's Coach of the Year award to Spain players

7. Linda Caicedo

• National Team: Colombia
• Club: Real Madrid 
• Position: Forward
• Goals: 46

Linda Caicedo is a Colombian footballer who has reached commendable milestones at a young age of 20. She plays as a forward for Real Madrid, and has been associated with football legends like Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham, Trinity Rodman for commercial ad campaigns.

She played for América Cali and Deportivo Cali before joining Real Madrid, and scored a total of 33 goals in 92 appearances across all of them.

Linda has scored 13 goals to her name in 42 appearances for Colombia.

#FU17WWC Bronze Boot🥾 & Silver Ball ⚽ winner Linda Caicedo makes her senior #FIFAWWC debut 🫡

How many goals will the Colombian star score in the #FIFAWomensWorldCup?#SeleccionFemenina#SelecciónColombiaFemenina#CopaMundialFemenino #COLKOR pic.twitter.com/CLsz1MnaPY

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) July 25, 2023

6. Alessia Russo

• National Team: England
• Club: Arsenal
• Position: Forward
• Goals: 87

Alessia Russo is a professional footballer who plays for England and the WSL club Arsenal as a forward. She has exceptional records, including being awarded the player of the month and goal of the month for Arsenal.

Alessia is known for her aggressive gameplay and match-winning abilities. She played for other clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United before, and was also the top scorer twice.

Her club goals count to 66 in 138 appearances across all clubs and 21 in 49 appearances for England.

Read Also: Football Facts: Top 10 Players With Most Goal Contributions In A Season Since 2000

5. Khadija Shaw

• National Team: Jamaica
• Club: Manchester City 
• Position: Forward
• Goals: 182

The all-time top scorer, Khadija Shaw, is one of the world's best strikers from Jamaica, who also plays as a forward for Manchester City.

Khadija holds the record for the most hat-tricks in the history of the Women's Super League. She scored 125 goals in her 144 club appearances and 57 goals in 44 appearances for Jamaica!

She was named The Guardian Footballer of the Year in 2018 as a tribute to her legendary contributions in football.

4. Alexia Putellas

• National Team: Spain
• Club: FC Barcelona 
• Position: Midfielder
• Goals: 260

Alexis Putellas is a Spanish midfielder or forward who currently plays for Barcelona. She is the captain of Barcelona and has won all the individual European football awards.

Alexis is widely appreciated for her style of play and aura. She has previously played for Espanyol and Levante, having a total of 226 goals in 515 appearances across all clubs. 

She scored 34 goals for the Spanish National Team in 130 appearances. Alexis also won Ballon d'Or Féminin for two consecutive years in 2021 and 2022.

3. Caroline Graham Hansen

• National Team: Norway 
• Club: FC Barcelona 
• Position: Winger
• Goals: 225

Caroline Graham Hansen is a Norwegian footballer who is one of the best wingers in the world. She plays for Barcelona and has won prestigious awards like Statoil Talent Award of the Year and others.

Hansen has exceptional dribbling and passing skills, which never fail to amaze the fans. She played for other clubs like Stabæk and Wolfsburg and scored 180 goals in all 404 appearances.

Her goals count to 45 in 95 international caps for Norway.

Read Also: Players with the Most Hat-tricks in International football (Male and Female)

2. Sophia Smith

• National Team: USA
• Club: Portland Thorns
• Position: Forward 
• Goals: 74

Sophia Smith is an American footballer who plays as a forward for the team. She plays for the NWSL club Portland Thorns and was named the most valuable player for them, along with the Golden Boot, in 2022.

Sophia scored 3 goals in the Paris Olympics 2024 for the US National Team. She earned her national team cap in 2020 and became the youngest player to debut for the US Women's National Team.

She scored 50 goals in 95 appearances for Portland Thorns FC and 24 goals in 58 appearances for the USA. 

Her contributions in the world of football makes her way to the list of best 10 women's footballers in the world right now.

Sophia Smith scores in her #FIFAWWC debut!

📰 LIVE Blog #USAVIE : https://t.co/5a8pYXuIsb#FIFAWomensWorldCup #USA #USWNT pic.twitter.com/8ySA5VkuZp

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) July 22, 2023

1. Aitana Bonmatí 

• National Team: Spain
• Club: FC Barcelona 
• Position: Midfielder
• Goals: 134

Aitana Bonmatí is a Spanish footballer who plays as a midfielder for FC Barcelona. She is one of the greatest of all time in football history. Her elegant style of play is a treat to the eyes. 

The Spanish National team captain won the Ballon d'Or Féminin, Laureus World Sports Award, and Golden Player Woman Award for her incredible 2023 season for Spain and Barcelona. She is the first women's player to win The Best, Ballon d'Or, UEFA Player of the Year and World Cup Golden Ball in the same year

Bonmati was the Player of the tournament in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 as Spain lifted their maiden Women's World Cup title. 

She scored 104 goals in 289 appearances for Barcelona and 30 international goals for Spain.

📸 2023 Ballon d’Or winners - Lionel Messi & Aitana Bonmati

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.#ballondor #ballondor2023 #messi #lionelmessi #aitanabonmati #intermiami #fcbarcelona #barcelonafemenino pic.twitter.com/MfEPHpiAEs

— Sportz Point (@sportz_point) October 31, 2023

Honorary Mention: Mary Earps

The legendary English goalkeeper, Mary Earps, is a name honorary mention for this list. She plays for PSG and is considered to have the safest pair of hands when it comes to football. Earps' legendary performance in the UEFA Euro 2022 will always be remembered in the history of English football, as they lifted the European Championship. 

Earps played for a total of 11 clubs, including Manchester United and became the first goalkeeper to reach 50 clean sheets in the WSL. 

Earps received the Golden Glove Award for her record-breaking 14 clean sheets in 2024 for Manchester United. She is a two-time FIFA Best and Golden Glove winner. 

Her iconic contributions deserves a special place in the list of best 10 women's footballers in the world right now.

East Bengal FC cemented their status as IWL 2024-25 champions with a commanding 3-0 victory over Gokulam Kerala FC at the East Bengal ground on Friday.

Already assured of the title before kickoff, the Red and Golds showcased their supremacy by defeating every team in the league en route to the championship, with all three goals coming in an explosive first half.

Read Also | Exclusive Shreya Hooda: Best Goalkeeper in IWL & NFC, National team and the World Cup dream

The star of the show was Elshaddai Acheampong, who opened the scoring in the 27th minute. After missing earlier chances, including a header from five yards in the 19th minute, the Ghanaian forward made amends with a clinical finish, chipping the goalkeeper after a deft move past defenders following a pass from Anju Tamang.

Read Also | 10 Best Women's Football Players and Leagues You Must Watch in 2025

Her poacher’s instinct shone again in the 37th minute, tapping in a cross from Karthika Angamuthu at the back post to double the lead. Minutes before halftime, Soumya Guguloth sealed the rout in the 42nd minute, rounding the keeper to score after a perfectly timed through ball.

Read Also | Beatrice Chebet becomes the first woman to run 5km under 14 minutes in Barcelona

Despite the title already in hand, East Bengal displayed remarkable professionalism, dominating possession and stifling Gokulam from the outset. The second half saw Gokulam mount a brief challenge, testing goalkeeper Panthoi Chanu with a long-range effort, but the champions held firm. This win marked the only team East Bengal had yet to beat this season, completing a flawless campaign.

The victory underscored East Bengal’s dominance throughout the season, blending skill, composure, and relentless attacking play.

For Gokulam, the defeat highlighted their struggle against the league’s top side, as East Bengal celebrated a perfect end to their triumphant IWL 2024-25 journey.

Women's football continues to rise in popularity, with elite players showcasing their talent across the globe. Whether you are a dedicated fan or a newcomer to the sport, 2025 promises to be an exciting year for women's football, with top-tier leagues and star players pushing the game to a new height.

Here is a detailed look at 20 must-watch women's football players and the leagues they play in for 2025.

Top 10 Must-Watch Women's Football Players in 2025:

1. Aitana Bonmati | Spain | FC Barcelona | Liga F:

Aitana Bonmatí is the first women's player to win The Best, Ballon d'Or, UEFA Player of the Year and World Cup Golden Ball in the same year 🤯 pic.twitter.com/7hjKNSuG20

— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 15, 2024

Fresh off winning the Ballon d'Or, Aitana Bonmati remains a crucial figure for both FC Barcelona and Spain. Her vision, dribbling, and ability to control the game from midfield make her a standout performer.

Read Also | Exclusive: Here's how Football giving hope to "Mini-Brazil of India"

2. Sam Kerr | Australia | Chelsea | Women's Super League:

SAM KERR PUTS CHELSEA ON THE BRINK OF THE TITLE WITH THIS 😳

(🎥: @BarclaysFAWSL)pic.twitter.com/h3OKtzNhOD

— GOAL (@goal) May 8, 2022

Sam Kerr's goal-scoring ability and leadership make her one of the most electrifying forwards in the world. Despite injury setbacks, her return in 2025 could be pivotal for Chelsea and Australia.

3. Alexia Putellas | Spain | FC Barcelona | Liga F:

⚽️✨ Throwback in 2021 when Alexia Putellas won her first Women's Ballon d'Or! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/2ojG9Be241

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 16, 2024

A two-time Ballo d'Or winner, Putellas is a creative force for Barcelona. After overcoming injuries, she remains a dominant playmaker and a key player to watch.

4. Trinity Rodman | USA | Washington Spirit | NSWL:

THE ONE AND ONLY, TRINITY RODMAN 😤

29 goals and 21 assists! pic.twitter.com/ybV1CIuMjt

— Washington Spirit (@WashSpirit) September 17, 2024

Trinity, the daughter of NBA legend Dennis Rodman, has carved out her legacy in football. Her pace, technical ability, and work ethic make her one of the most exciting young forwards in the NSWL.

5. Lauren James | England | Chelsea | Women's Super League:

1⃣3⃣ WSL goals.
0⃣2⃣ WSL assists.
0⃣1⃣ WSL title.

Lauren Elizabeth James, everyone. 👏 pic.twitter.com/qxlIwz0zUr

— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) May 22, 2024

James is one of the most technically gifted young players in the world. Her dribbling strength and finishing ability make her a crucial player for Chelsea and England.

6. Linda Caicedo | Colombia | Real Madrid | Liga F:

Linda Caicedo's goal was DUTTY 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/lBgsnoyU8L

— PRESENCE (@TazerBlack) July 31, 2023

Linda Caicedo, a teenage sensation, has already made waves for both Club and Country. Her agility, finishing, and football intelligence make her a rising star in Women's Football.

7. Sophia Smith | USA | Portland Thorns | NSWL:

WHO ELSE BUT SOPHIA SMITH 💪

The USWNT and @ThornsFC superstar makes it 2-0 all by herself 🌹

pic.twitter.com/3xAH9iGdJt

— The Women's Game (@WomensGameMIB) April 21, 2024

Sophia Smith is a clinical forward and a key player for both the Portland Thorns and the U.S.A Women's National Football Team. Her ability to create and score goals makes her a must-watch.

8. Ada Hegerberg | Norway | Olympique Lyonnais | D1 Arkema:

The first winner of the women's Ballon d'Or Ada Hegerberg collecting her award and being asked if she knows how to 'twerk' pic.twitter.com/kVgH1cuHSm

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) December 4, 2018

The first woman to win the Ballon d'Or, Hegerberg remains a dominant striker in Europe. Her goal-scoring ability makes her vital for Lyon.

9. Caroline Graham Hansen | Norway | FC Barcelona | Liga F:

👕 31 matches
⚽️ 26 goals
🅰️ 25 assists

How highly do you rate Caroline Graham Hansen? 🇳🇴#UWCL pic.twitter.com/Xi8YiMWO35

— UEFA Women’s Champions League (@UWCL) April 9, 2024

Caroline Hansen is known for her incredible dribbling and attacking play. She is a key part of Barcelona's dominance in European Football. 

10. Mary Earps | England | Manchester United | Women's Super League:

Mary Earps collects her #World11 trophy, and the team reaction says it all ❤️💙@UNFP | @PFA | @PSG_Feminines pic.twitter.com/m5IvHIEXPy

— FIFPRO (@FIFPRO) February 5, 2025

Regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Marry Earps' shot-stopping ability and leadership make her a crucial figure for the club and country.

Top 10 Must-Watch Women's Football Leagues in 2025:

The Women’s FIFA World Rankings top 10 👇

1 - USA 🇺🇸
2 - Sweden 🇸🇪
3 - Germany 🇩🇪
4 - France 🇫🇷
5 - Netherlands 🇳🇱
6 - Canada 🇨🇦
7 - Brazil 🇧🇷
8 - England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
9 - Spain 🇪🇸
10 - Korea DPR 🇰🇵 pic.twitter.com/8JD4ihEY3j

— GOAL (@goal) December 23, 2021

1. Liga F (Spain):

Clubs to Watch:  FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

Why Watch? FC Barcelona's dominance and Real Madrid's rise have made the Spanish League one of the most competitive in women's football.

2. Women's Super League (England):

Clubs to Watch: Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Arsenal.

Why Watch? The WSL boasts some of the best players in the world, with a highly competitive league structure.

3. National Women's Soccer League (United States of America):

Clubs to Watch: Portland Thorns, OL Reign, Washington Spirit, and San Diego Wave.

Why Watch? The NSWL has some of the best homegrown and international talent, making it one of the most unpredictable leagues.

4. D1 Arkema (France)

Clubs to Watch: Lyon and Paris Saint-Germain.

Why Watch? Lyon has been a powerhouse in women's football for years, and Paris Saint-Germain continues to challenge them.

5. Frauen-Bundesliga (Germany)

Clubs to Watch: Wolfsburg and Bayern Munich.

Why Watch? The German league has a strong history of producing world-class players.

6. Serie A Femminile (Italy)

Clubs to Watch: AS Roma, Juventus, and AC Milan

Why Watch? Italy's women's league has been growing in popularity, with Roma and Juventus leading the way.

7. W-League (Australia)

Clubs to Watch: Melbourne City and Sydney FC

Why Watch? Australia's league continues to produce top talents, with many players heading to Europe and the NSWL.

8. Damallsvenskan (Sweden)

Clubs to Watch: Rosengard and BK Hacken.

Why Watch? Sweden's league has a strong reputation for developing young talent.

9. Liga MX Femenil (Mexico)

Clubs to Watch: Moneterrey, Tigres UANL and Club America.

Why Watch? One of the fastest-growing leagues in the world, with passionate fan support.

10. Frauen Bundesliga (Austria & Switzerland- combined league from 2025)

Why Watch? A newly structured league bringing together two strong football nations a develop women's football further.

Rising Stars to Watch in 2025:

Beyond the established stars, these young players are poised to become household names:

1. 1. Melchie Dumornay (Haiti, Lyon): A dynamic midfielder with incredible dribbling and playmaking skills.
   2. Esme Brugts (Netherlands, FC Barcelona): One of the brightest young Dutch talents.
   3. Giulia Dragoni (Italy, FC Barcelona): An exciting midfield prospect.
   4. Vicki Becho (France, Lyon): A fast, creative winger with a bright future.

What to Expect in 2025?

• UEFA Women's Champions League Excitement - Can anyone stop FC Barcelona's dominance?
• NSWL Expansion - The league continues to grow, with new teams and talent.
• Women's Super League Intensity- Will Chelsea maintain their supremacy, or will Arsenal and Manchester City rise?
• International Showdowns- The build-up to the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup begins.

USWNT Defender Naomi Girma has joined Chelsea Women for a world-record transfer fee for a female footballer. The Women's Super League leaders paid €1 million to San Diego Wave FC to secure the services of the 24-year-old defender.

Girma was officially presented on the pitch by the Women’s Super League champions before Sunday’s 1-0 victory against Arsenal Women at Stamford Bridge.

It's official. ✍️

Naomi Girma plays for Chelsea Football Club. 🔵 pic.twitter.com/hb7OMyhE06

— Chelsea FC Women (@ChelseaFCW) January 26, 2025

Girma signs for Chelsea for a world-record fee

The world record for the highest transfer fees paid for a female footballer was held by Bay FC, who paid €685,000 for Racheal Kundananji in February 2024.

Chelsea has broken the transfer world record and also surpassed the British transfer signing record as well, previously held by Mayra Ramirez, who signed for Chelsea for a €384,000 transfer fee.

Girma has also become the first-ever €1M signing in women's football.

Chelsea Women gaffer Sonia Bompastor has made her first January 2025 signing with Girma as she will enter the team roster after Chelsea defender Kadeisha Buchanan suffered an ACL tear injury in November 2024.

World-record signing Naomi Girma was presented at Stamford Bridge 🤩🔵 pic.twitter.com/vqT0XneC0C

— B/R Football (@brfootball) January 26, 2025

Naomi Girma played an integral part in USWNT's Olympic Gold-winning campaign in Paris last year and was also named the US Soccer’s female player of the year in 2023. She was also named the NWSL Defender of the Year in 2022 and 2023.

However, Girma has signed a huge 4-year deal until 2029 as Chelsea head of women’s football Paul Green affirmed his confidence in this signing.

Naomi is a world-class defender who is now coming into the prime years of her career.

Girma also expressed her excitement about joining the Blues as she stated to BBC Sport:

I'm so happy and really excited to be here. It doesn't feel real,

There are a lot of things about Chelsea that made me want to come here - the culture, the winning mentality, staff and players.

It's a top environment to learn and grow in. Right now, that's what I'm looking to do.

Record transfers in women's football

East Bengal commenced their Indian Women's League (IWL) 2024-25 season with a commendable 2- 0 victory over Kickstart FC at the historic East Bengal Ground on 10th January 2025. Two brilliant goals scored by Sandhya Ranganathan and Resty Nanzary are enough to take three points for the Red and Gold brigade.

The home side's first goal materialized by another regular starter for India Soumya Guguloth played a crucial role in that goal. She delivered a ball from the right for Sulanjana Raul, whose header struck the crossbar. The rebound was found by Sandhya Ranganathan, who netted it with a beautiful header.

Read Also | Exclusive Shreya Hooda: Best Goalkeeper in IWL & NFC, National team and the World Cup dream

Maintaining their momentum, East Bengal doubled their lead early in the second half. In the 49th minute, Ugandan recruit Resty Nanzari, made a beautiful run from the left side of the pitch and showcased her skill by delivering a precise low shot into the near post, and securing a goal. That was enough to start a season with a commendable victory for the home side.

Kickstart FC, originating from Bengaluru, attempted to penetrate East Bengal's defence but struggled to create promising opportunities in the attacking third. The host's defence was rock solid and effectively neutralized a clean sheet to start their IWL campaign on a positive note.

Read Also | Indumathi, Shilky, Shreya among the winners of IWL 2023-24 awards

The victory provided East Bengal with a solid foundation for positive progress in the IWL season, they were rock solid in defence and also offensively great. Conversely, Kickstart FC will aim to enhance their strategies in the upcoming matches to rebound from the initial setback. 

Debutant Lhingdeikim's four goals along with Simran Gurung's brace helped the Indian Women's Football team thrash Maldives by 11-1 in their FIFA Friendly match in Bangalore. Kajol Dsouza, Pooja, Sibani Devi, and Khumukcham Bhumika Devi were the other scorers for Blue Tigeress. 

After beating Bangladesh by 14-0 in their final match of 2024, the Indian Women's Football team started the 2025 on a great note with an emphatic win over the visitors, Maldives. 

India head coach Joakim Alexandersson made many changes to the team that played against Bangladesh which handed two debutants a chance in the starting XI. Lhingdeikim, who scored four goals (twice in both halves) and Shibani Devi, who last year featured for East Bengal FC in the Indian Women's League were among the changes Alexandersson.

Read Also | Indian Women's Football team crush Maldives 14-0 in FIFA Friendly

Ribansi Jamu, Thingbaijam Sanjita Devi, Juhi Singh, Monisha Singha, Khumukcham Bhumika Devi and Simran Gurung were the players who made their debut off the bench. 

Read Also | Exclusive: Here's how Football giving hope to "Mini-Brazil of India"

Maldives looked good in the early minutes which forced Linthoingambi Devi to make some saves but once the Indian team resolved the issue and found their pace, they were tough to resist.

Lhingdeikim started the onslaught for India with an early goal in the 12th minute before providing an assist for Kajol Dsouza to extend the lead three minutes later. She found the net again in the next minute after receiving a perfect ball from Sibani. In the 17th minute, Sangita Basfore's header was deflected into the goal by Maldives captain Hawwa Haneefa. 

However, right before the halfway mark, Maldives scored their only goal of the match as Mariyam Rifa found the net after a defensive error from the Indian team. 

But, India struck again before half-time with Pooja and Shibani scoring one each. At half-time, India were leading by 6-1 and it looked like we would have the scoreline just like the last match. 

Lhingdeikim started the second half by scoring from a beautiful assist by Pooja in the 56th minute. A minute later she scored her fourth goal of the match by flicking a ball with his right foot for a neat finish. This time, Kajol was the assist provider for her. 

Simran Gurung, who came off the bench at halftime, scored two goals in the 62nd and 68th minutes. A red card for Maeesha Abdul Hannan did not help the Maldives as well as the defender made a deliberate handball inside the penalty box. Bhumika Devi converted the penalty in the 71st minute to complete the riot. 

Scorecard | India vs Maldives | FIFA Friendlies (Women's)

Maldives 1 (Mariyam Rifa 27’)

India 11 (Lhingdeikim 12’, 16’, 56’, 59’, Kajol Dsouza 15’, Hawwa Haneefa 17’ o.g., Pooja 41’, Sibani Devi 45+1’, Simran Gurung 62’, 68’, Khumukcham Bhumika Devi 71’ p)