Women’s soccer has grown exponentially in recent decades, and part of this growth is due to extraordinary players who have not only scored goals, but also inspired millions around the world. In this article, we will present the careers of the 15 best female strikers of all time, highlighting their achievements, curiosities, life stories and records.
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Best female strikers of all time
Marta Vieira da Silva (Brazil)
Born in Dois Riachos, Alagoas, Brazil, Marta began her career with Vasco da Gama and quickly made a name for herself as one of the best players in the world. Combining skill, speed and vision, she has become a benchmark in women’s soccer.
The top scorer in the history of the Women’s World Cup and a six-time winner of the FIFA World Player of the Year award, she is also on lists as one of the best women’s midfielders of all time, due to her versatility as an athlete.
Let’s not forget that Marta is the top scorer in the history of the Brazilian national team, considering both men and women, with 119 goals.
Career titles
- Brazilian national team: Women’s Copa América (2), Pan American Games (1)
- Clubs: UEFA Champions League with Umeå IK, Campeonato Brasileiro with Santos
Source: ESPN
Birgit Prinz (Germany)
Birgit Prinz was born in Frankfurt, Germany, and is one of the greatest players in the history of German women’s soccer. She began her career at FSV Frankfurt before moving to 1. FFC Frankfurt. She is the second highest scorer in the history of the Women’s World Cup, behind our own Marta.
Prinz has won the FIFA World Player of the Year award three times, cementing her place on the list of the best female strikers of all time.
Career titles
- Germany national team: Women’s World Cup (2), Women’s European Championship (5)
- Clubs: UEFA Champions League, Bundesliga
3. Abby Wambach (United States)
Born in Rochester, New York, Abby Wambach is known for her strength, aerial skills and ability to score goals in decisive games. She played for the University of Florida before joining the WUSA and NWSL.
Career Titles
- USA National Team: Women’s World Cup (1), Olympic Games (2)
- Clubs: NWSL Shield with Western New York Flash
4. Alex Morgan (United States)
Alex Morgan, born in Diamond Bar, California, is one of the most recognizable figures in women’s soccer. She began her career with the Western New York Flash and has become a global star as one of the top scorers at the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
As well as being a star player,is the author of children’s books inspired by her soccer career.
Career titles
- USA National Team: Women’s World Cup (2), Olympic Games (1)
- Clubs: UEFA Champions League with Lyon, NWSL Championship with Portland Thorns
5. Christine Sinclair (Canada)
Born in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada, Christine Sinclair is a Canadian soccer legend. She began her college career at the University of Portland and went on to play professionally in the WPS and NWSL.
Christine is the all-time leading scorer in international soccer history with over 185 goals, surpassing the record previously held by Abby Wambach.
Career titles
- Canadian National Team: Pan American Games (1), CONCACAF Women’s Championship (2)
- Clubs: NWSL Championship with Portland Thorns
6. Cristiane Rozeira (Brazil)
Cristiane was born in Osasco, São Paulo, Brazil, and is known for her natural talent and ability to score goals. She began her career with Juventus-SP and has played for Santos and European clubs. She is currently a member of Flamengo’s women’s soccer team.
She is the highest scorer in the history of the Olympic Games and the first female athlete to score a hat-trick in the World Cup. A hat-trick is when an athlete scores three goals in a single match.
Career titles
- Brazilian national team: Women’s Copa América (3), Pan American Games (2)
- Clubs: Copa Libertadores, Campeonato Brasileiro
7. Formiga (Brazil)
Formiga is currently the oldest player to score in the Women’s World Cup, born in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, making her one of the longest-serving players in women’s soccer.
She has represented Brazil in seven World Cups and seven Olympic Games, a record that is hard to beat!
Career titles
- Brazilian national team: Women’s Copa America (7), Pan American Games (3)
- Clubs: Ligue 1 with Paris Saint-Germain
8. Mia Hamm (United States)
Voted by FIFA as the best player in the world twice, Mia Hamm was the top scorer in the history of US women’s soccer until 2013.
Born in Selma, Alabama, Mia Hamm is one of the pioneers of women’s soccer in the United States. She played for the University of North Carolina and the WUSA.
Career Titles
- USA National Team: Women’s World Cup (2), Olympic Games (2)
- Clubs: NCAA Championship with UNC
9. Ada Hegerberg (Norway)
Ada Hegerberg was born in Molde, Norway, and is known for her ability to score goals and her impact at Lyon, where she established herself as one of the best strikers in the world.
She was the first winner of the Ballon d’Or Féminin in 2018, an award given by the French Confederation.
A three-time UEFA champion, she has cemented her place among the best female strikers of all time.
Career titles
- Clubs: UEFA Champions League (5), Ligue 1 (7)
10. Sam Kerr (United States)
The all-time leading scorer in the history of the NWSL, the US Women’s Soccer League, couldn’t be left out of a list of the best female strikers of all time, could she?
Sam Kerr was born in East Fremantle, Australia, and is one of the most dynamic players in women’s soccer, known for her ability to score spectacular goals.
Career titles
- Clubs: NWSL Shield with Chicago Red Stars, FA Women’s Super League with Chelsea
11. Nadia Nadim (Afghanistan/Denmark)
Nadia Nadim was born in Afghanistan and fled to Denmark, where she began her soccer career and became known for her technical ability and resilience. An interesting fact is that as well as being a footballer, Nadim is a trained doctor.
Career titles
- Clubs: Danish Championship with Fortuna Hjørring, NWSL Championship with Portland Thorns
12. Christen Press
Born in Los Angeles, California, Christen Press is known for her speed and finishing ability. She played for Stanford University before joining the NWSL and European clubs.
One of the top scorers in the NWSL, the American Women’s Soccer League.
Career titles
- USA National Team: Women’s World Cup (2)
- Clubs: FA Women’s Super League with Manchester United
13. Jessie Fleming (Canada)
Born in London, Ontario, Canada, Jessie Fleming is a young talent in women’s soccer, known for her technical ability and intelligence on the pitch. She has scored decisive goals in international tournaments and has already made her first appearance at the Olympic Games.
Career titles
- Canadian National Team: Olympic Games (1)
- Clubs: FA Women’s Super League with Chelsea
14. Lieke Martens (Netherlands)
Winner of the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year award in 2017, the same year she won the UEFA Eurocup Player of the Year and FIFA Best Player.
Born in Bergen, the Netherlands, Lieke Martens is known for her dribbling skills and ability to score goals. She had outstanding spells with Rosengård and Barcelona.
Career titles
- Netherlands national team: European Women’s Championship (1)
- Clubs: UEFA Champions League with Barcelona
15. Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands)
Born in Hoogeveen, Netherlands, Vivianne Miedema is one of the best women strikers of all time, known for her finishing ability and tactical intelligence.
She is the all-time leading scorer in the history of the FA WSL, England’s Women’s Super League.
Career titles
- Netherlands national team: European Women’s Championship (1)
- Clubs: FA Women’s Super League with Arsenal, Bundesliga with Bayern Munich
List of the 15 best female strikers of all time
- Marta Vieira da Silva
- Birgit Prinz
- Abby Wambach
- Alex Morgan
- Christine Sinclair
- Cristiane Rozeira
- Ant
- Mia Hamm
- Ada Hegerberg
- Sam Kerr
- Nadia Nadim
- Christen Press
- Jessie Fleming
- Lieke Martens
- Vivianne Miedema
These are the best female strikers of all time, their careers and contributions celebrate their achievements and inspire future generations of players.
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