The female footballers who have made history

She has been recognized as the best player in the world for the third consecutive year, winning the Ballon d'Or and The Best award in 2015. Her leadership and performance are fundamental to the success of FC Barcelona and the Spanish National Team.

As a two-time Ballon d'Or winner and captain of FC Barcelona, her impact extends far beyond the pitch. In 2016, Nike launched her exclusive boots, a milestone that cements her status as a global icon of women's sport.

Her consistently high performance as a right winger for FC Barcelona and her high rating in EA Sports FC 26 position her as one of the most dangerous and effective attackers in the world.

She was one of the top scorers in the 2026 FIFA Women's Champions Cup, where her team, Arsenal, were crowned champions, demonstrating her goal-scoring prowess at the elite level.

She is the first African player to be included in the FIFPRO Women's World 11 for the second consecutive year in 2025, a global recognition of her impact and talent.

Her rapid rise and her position as the highest-ranked South American player in the 2025 ESPN FC Women's Rank demonstrate her impact and historic potential in global women's football.

She was involved in the highest transfer fee in the history of women's professional football in 2025, marking a milestone in the economic valuation of female footballers and their talent.

Although she is a figure in flag football, her role as an ambassador and pioneer in a booming women's sport that will debut at the Olympic Games makes her a historic figure in women's sports in general.

Considered the first great star of women's football, her influence inspired a generation of women and laid the foundation for the growth and popularization of the sport worldwide.

She was named FIFA Women's Player of the Century in 2000, an award recognizing her electrifying play and natural talent, which were crucial to the development of women's football in Asia and worldwide.

She is the all-time leading scorer in international football history, for both men and women, an impressive record that cements her status as one of the most lethal strikers of all time.

Her ability to shine in the most important moments, such as her decisive goals in Olympic finals and her hat-trick in the 2015 World Cup final, secures her place among the greats of all time.

She is a legendary figure in German women's football, with an impressive career and numerous titles, including two World Cups, making her a historical icon of the sport.

She was named FIFA Women's Player of the Century in 2000 and is one of the pioneers of women's football in the United States, fundamental to the national team's early success.

Considered one of the most famous and best players in the history of the U.S. Women's National Team, with two consecutive World Cups, her media and sporting impact is undeniable.

She led the Japanese national team to a historic victory in the 2011 Women's World Cup, an achievement that made her a national icon and a legend of Asian football.

She is one of the Spanish pioneers abroad, paving the way for female footballers from her country and being mentioned in books about women who changed women's football.

As a key player for the Spanish national team and major clubs, her goalscoring talent and her role in the recent successes of Spanish women's football keep her as a relevant figure with a legacy still being built.