The best female footballers in Europe – ranked

Women's football has seen great growth in recent years, with increased investment, rising viewership, and the expansion of professional leagues across Europe. The UEFA Women's Champions League and the Women's World Cup serve as great platforms to display some of the best talents in female European football. Let's take a look at the top ten female players in Europe.

The veteran American midfielder has proven to be a versatile player in multiple midfield roles, always collaborating in both offense and defense. She is frequently regarded as one of the USWNT's most tactically astute players, according to ESPN.

So far this season, she has scored 11 goals and given 5 assists in 11 games, reports ESPN, proving to be a key player for Olympique Lyonnais Féminin.

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Lauren James has become a star for Chelsea and the English national team. Scoring important goals throughout her career, she is regarded as an expert finisher. Injuries have been her worst enemy, however, hampering her progress throughout her career.

The 23-year-old forward is nicknamed "Maverick" for her remarkable abilities with the ball. "It's a playground for her out there," shared former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes. She scored 13 goals in 16 games during the 2023-24 season, reports ESPN.

The Swedish veteran winger is truly unstoppable down the left wing. Her pace, her strength, and her power down the left wing leaves defenders stunned. She transitions between left-back and left-winger for Barcelona Femení and the Swedish national team.

She is regarded as one of the best wingers in the Liga F (female Spanish League). So far this season, she has scored 4 goals and given 2 assists in 13 games, according to ESPN.

Another winger who boasts flair and class down the flank is Linda Caicedo. Despite being 19 years old, the Real Madrid winger has proven herself as a valuable player within the female squad.

The Colombian forward has incredible potential, and she is proving it on the field. So far this season, she has scored 4 goals and given 2 assists in 12 games, per FotMob statistics.

Another Barcelona player who deserves to be on this list is Caroline Graham Hansen. The Norwegian forward has proven to be an instrumental piece in Barcelona's hegemony over female football these past five years. She is regarded as one of the most creative and clinical forwards in the world, at just 28 years old.

During the 2023-24 season, she was on fire, scoring a total of 21 goals in 25 Liga F matches, reports ESPN. Her former teammate Ella Masa describes her as "one of the rare ones" in world football.

Nicknamed "Bunny" Shaw, the Jamaican striker is truly one of the best in European football. Scoring 53 goals in 62 games in the WSL (Women's Super League) since moving to Manchester City in 2021, she is one of the most prolific goalscorers in Europe.

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Shaw claimed the 2023-24 WSL Golden Boot after scoring 21 goals in 18 games for Manchester City in 2023-24, according to ESPN.

Mariona Caldentey simply can't stop winning in recent seasons, lifting the World Cup in 2023 and three Champions League titles with Barcelona (2021, 2023, 2024). The 28-year-old Spanish forward has a great technical ability, exerting her dominance with the ball.

She signed for Arsenal in 2024, and so far, she has scored 4 goals and handed 2 assists in 16 games, reports FotMob statistics. She is always involved with the ball and is always orchestrating the attack.

Without a surprise, another Barcelona player on our list. Walsh is considered one of the finest midfielders in European football thanks to her impeccable consistency and intelligence on the pitch. Former Barcelona manager Janatan Giraldez described her as a "special" player.

Following a nasty injury during the 2024 World Cup, Walsh has been sidelined throughout the first part of the 2024-25 season, however, in the 2023-24 season, she scored 1 goal and handed 4 assist in 24 games, according to Footballdatabase.

Labeled as one of the top three female footballers globally, Sam Kerr has left her mark on European football. The Australian forward has struggled with recurring injuries, even missing out the 2024 World Cup due to calf issues, but she always comes back stronger.

Her first half of the 2024-25 season was hampered by a nasty ACL injury that saw her sidelined for a long period. Despite the injury, she has scored 5 goals in just 4 games this season, according to FotMob statistics.

Bonmati has simply won it all in female football and has celebrated triumph after triumph. The Spanish midfielder is the central pillar of Barcelona and a major reason for their hegemony over European football.

At 26 years old, she possesses a fantastic ability to control matches and possession, demonstrating her intelligent navigating skills on the pitch. So far this season, she has scored 6 goals and handed 4 assists in 16 games, reports FotMob statistics.

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