Gone are the days when women footballers are nowhere near their male counterparts in terms of paycheck. As things stand now, women are now getting better financial treatment, and even though this laudable development hasn’t taken precedence in all strata of women’s football yet, we now have top national teams like USA, Wales, England, Spain, and others paying both their male and female footballers equally.
Certainly, Women’s football has seen tremendous growth in recent years, with increased popularity and investment leading to higher salaries for players in the category.
As the world continues to recognize the immense talent and dedication of female footballers, many have earned substantial wages through their skills and endorsements. So, in this article, we will go on to explore the ten best-paid players who’re currently laying claim to the fattest paychecks in women’s football.
Currently, Australian striker Sam Kerr is the best-paid player in the world, pocketing around £417,000 annually. The 2022 PFA Players’ Player of the Year winner has certainly earned this salary, considering she is widely regarded as one of the best strikers in the world, although her only shortcoming might be the absence of a Ballon D’or yet, after finishing third in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
USWNT legend Alex Morgan who’s edging closer to her retirement reportedly earns £375,000 per annum. Morgan who has spent almost the entirety of her career playing in the United States, except for a six-month period at Lyon and a brief stint with Tottenham Hotspur also earns about $6.3 million in endorsements.
Megan Rapinoe is another highly paid USWNT legend whose annual income is just a bit shy of Morgan, as she’s also earning £373,000 yearly. Her influence both on and off the pitch in the US has led her to become one of women’s soccer’s biggest figures earning her about $6.3 million off the pitch also.
Next up is still a USWNT player Julie Ertz who earns about £359,000 from her contract with Angel City. The 31-year-old midfielder also pockets about $1.3 million in earnings off the pitch, cementing her spot as the 4th best-paid women’s footballer.
The first-ever winner of the inaugural Ballon d’Or Feminin back in 2018, Ada Hegerberg is currently the 5th highest-paid footballer in the women’s world, thanks to her £355,000 annual contract with Olympique Lyonnais Féminin.
Arguably the greatest player in the history of women’s football, Marta is currently on a £344,000 paycheck at NWSL side Orlando Pride. The 37-year-old who recently renewed her contract with the club is the only women’s player to have won the FIFA World Player of the Year six times, winning five consecutively between 2006 – 2010.
She also holds the record for most career goals at the FIFA World Cup with 17 for Brazil.
Similar to Julie Ertz, Amandine Henry is another Angel City player who’s also amongst the best-paid players in women’s football. The France midfielder earns about £320,540 yearly.
Wendie Renard tags closely behind her international teammate Amandine Henry on the list of the best-paid female footballers, earning around £318,510 at Olympique Lyonnais Féminin.
Captain of both Lyon & France, Renard is one of the most decorated female footballers, having won a record 14 French league titles and 8 European cups.
Captain of both her club and national team, Christine Sinclair is on an annual salary of £308,760, earning her the 9th spot as the best-paid player in women’s football.
Lastly, on our list, we have 21-year-old Trinity Rodman. The American international who became the youngest player (18) to be drafted in NWSL history after being selected second in the 2021 NWSL College Draft is currently on a £228,320 annual salary with her club side.
Rodman also won the NWSL Rookie of the Year, and U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year and was in the NWSL Best XI, following her breakout season in 2021. She’s currently on duty with the USWNT at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, as they eye the three-peat.
© Copyrights Sixsports. All Rights Reserved.