Female footballers are at the top of their game. After the Women’s World Cup, nobody could ignore just how quickly the women’s game has progressed in the last ten years. We have a youth system to thank for that. The younger footballers who are coming up through professional ranks and elite academy systems have meant that younger players are getting better and better every year.
Top Female Footballers in the World
Narrowing down the list of talented female footballers is tough. There are up and coming players from South America who stood out in the World Cup, and current stalwarts playing in European leagues and the NWSL. But, these three caught our eye in terms of current form, age, and quick rise to stardom.
Aline Gomes
Aline Gomes is a young Brazilian professional female footballer who currently plays for Ferroviaria in the Brazilian women’s league. She has played for this infamous club for her entire career, starting in 2020 for the youth team and progressing to the senior team in the 2021 season.
Since making her debut for the senior side at just 15 years old, she has made 29 appearances and scored 11 goals. Due to her stand-out capabilities at the domestic level, she gained attention for the Brazilian national team. She was selected for both the U17 and U20 squads in 2022. Her ten appearances for the underage teams caused the senior team manager, Pia Sundhage, to call her up for her first senior international appearance in March 2023.
‘The way that Aline has taken off – the way that she takes players on, uses space, is a threat on the flanks – is really impressive.’
Receiving high praise from such a decorated manager must be a great feeling for a young female footballer.
Not only does her quick rise to fame speak for itself, but she has already accumulated numerous accolades in her short career. She earned the CONMEBOL Women’s U19 Evolution League 2023 and scored the winning goal.
Olivia Moultrie
Almost everyone in the world of women’s soccer has heard of Olivia Moultrie’s name. Not only has she risen to prominence in the NWSL due to her play making capabilities and calm nature in the midfield, but her age has caught people’s attention. She was the first teenager to play in the women’s professional league in the United States after wining a lawsuit filed against the league to allow her to play.
And the hard work and legal battles played off for her – and future female footballers.
Moultrie signed a three-year contract with the Thorns in 2021 after years of being a training player on their squad. She made her first start just one month later, in August, and scored two weeks later off a free kick in the International Champions Cup.
Her stand-out appearances and potential for even greater led the Throns to offer her a three-year contract extension through 2026.
In international football, Moultrie has been capped for the U15, U16, U17, and U20 squads. She was recently called up to the full senior team at just 18 years old for a double header game against Colombia and China PR. She scored two goals in her two appearances for the United States so far this year.
Vicky Lopez
https://twitter.com/vickylopezz9/status/1665761827869925377
Lopez was born in 2006 but has already won more than most people do in a lifetime. She began her youth career at Madrid CFF, where she quickly gained the attention of national scouts and managers in Spain. At just 15 years old, she debuted in Liga Feminine, the top league in Spain, making her the youngest to do so.
In 2022, she made the big move to the infamous club, FC Barcelona. Being just 16 years old at the time, she played for both the Barcelona B team and the senior squad to build up her minutes and playing time.
Ever since joining the squad, she has made a huge impact. She played in a Champions League match, scored in El Clasico, won two Supercopa de Espana titles, secured the UEFA Women’s Champions League title, and earned the Spanish second division title with Barcelona B team.
Not only has she succeeded as a midfielder for Barcelona, but she has been capped numerous times for Spain at an underage and senior level. She played in 26 games for the Spain U17 team, scoring 14 times in all of her appearances. Her stand-out goal-scoring and playmaking earned her the 2022 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup and Golden Ball trophy.
Lopez earned her first senior appearance in February 2024, when she subbed for Hermoso in Spain’s win against the Netherlands. Her appearance made her the youngest ever, coming on at just 17 years, 6 months, and 27 days.
The future is bright for female footballers.
About the Author
Emma is an athlete and sports fan who currently plays professional soccer. Growing up, she reached a high level in track and field, distance running, and soccer on both club and university teams.
