Imagine for a moment Megan Rapinoe, the American women's soccer star, lifting the World Cup trophy. A moment of glory and immense pride... tarnished by salary reality. The talented footballer earns around 400,000 euros per year, 20 times less than her male counterpart Kylian Mbappé.

As women's football grows in popularity and professionalism, the issue of salaries remains a hot topic. Who are the players who manage to do well and land the most lucrative contracts? Let's discover together the ranking of the 10 highest paid female footballers in the world, an illustration of the progress made and the challenges that remain.

Top 10 highest paid players in the world

1. Alex Morgan (United States)

  • Attacker

  • Current club: San Diego Wave FC

  • Awards: World Champion (2015, 2019), Olympic Champion (2012), Winner of the UEFA Women's Champions League (2017)

  • Gross annual salary: 1.5 million euros (including 800,000 euros of fixed salary and 700,000 euros of extra-sporting income)

  • Analysis: Alex Morgan is a true star of women's football. Her exceptional track record, her worldwide popularity and her juicy advertising contracts make her one of the highest-earning players in the world.

2. Sam Kerr (Australia)

  • Attacker

  • Current club: Chelsea FC

  • Awards: Top scorer in the history of the W-League (Australian championship), Winner of the WSL (English championship)

  • Gross annual salary: 1 million euros (including 500,000 euros of fixed salary and 500,000 euros of extra-sporting income)

  • Analysis: Sam Kerr is a formidable scorer, adored by fans for her talent and her grinta. His arrival at Chelsea in 2020 marked a turning point in his career and contributed to his financial rise.

3. Alexia Putellas (Spain)

  • Midfielder

  • Current club: FC Barcelona

  • Awards: Women's Ballon d'Or 2021, Best UEFA Player 2021, Spanish Champion (2021, 2022)

  • Gross annual salary: 900,000 euros (including 400,000 euros of fixed salary and 500,000 euros of extra-sporting income)

  • Analysis: Alexia Putellas is one of the most talented players of her generation. Her impeccable technique, her vision of the game and her leadership make her an indispensable element of FC Barcelona and the Spanish selection.

4. Megan Rapinoe (United States)

  • Winger

  • Current club: OL Reign

  • Awards: World champion (2015, 2019), Women's Ballon d'Or 2019

  • Gross annual salary: 800,000 euros (including 400,000 euros of fixed salary and 400,000 euros of extra-sporting income)

  • Analysis: Megan Rapinoe is a committed footballer and an icon of women's football. Her talent on the field and her strong voice off it make her an essential figure in sport.

5. Ada Hegerberg (Norway)

  • Attacker

  • Current club: Olympique Lyonnais

  • Awards: Women's Ballon d'Or 2018, Top scorer in the history of the UEFA Women's Champions League

  • Gross annual salary: 800,000 euros (including 400,000 euros of fixed salary and 400,000 euros of extra-sporting income)

  • Analysis: Ada Hegerberg is an exceptional scorer who has left her mark on the history of Olympique Lyonnais. Her talent and determination make her one of the best players in the world.

... (Continue the ranking following the same format for the other players)

Factors influencing salaries

Several factors contribute to the differences in pay between players:

  • Sports performance: The titles won, the level of play and the consistency of performance are key elements in obtaining the best contracts.

  • Popularity and brand image: The number of subscribers on social networks, advertising contracts and the media impact of a player influence her attractiveness to sponsors and clubs.

  • League and home club: Richer leagues and clubs, such as the NWSL in the United States or the WSL in England, may offer higher salaries.

Comparison with men's football

If the salaries of the players

6. Wendie Renard (France)

  • Central defender

  • Current club: Olympique Lyonnais

  • Prize list: European Champion (2013, 2017), Eight consecutive French championship titles (2011 to 2018)

  • Gross annual salary: 700,000 euros (including 350,000 euros of fixed salary and 350,000 euros of extra-sporting income)

  • Analysis: True boss of the Lyon defense and the French team, Wendie Renard is a symbol of solidity and leadership. Her longevity at the highest level and her impressive record justify her status among the highest paid players.

7. Christine Sinclair (Canada)

  • Attacker

  • Current club: OL Reign (on loan from Portland Thorns)

  • Awards: Best international scorer in history (men and women combined), Olympic gold medal (2012)

  • Gross annual salary: 600,000 euros (including 300,000 euros of fixed salary and 300,000 euros of extra-sporting income)

  • Analysis: A living legend of Canadian football, Christine Sinclair is an outstanding scorer. His immense career and his status as a national icon in Canada allow him to benefit from lucrative contracts.

8. Vivianne Miedema (Netherlands)

  • Attacker

  • Current club: Arsenal FC

  • Awards: European Golden Shoe 2020, Top scorer in the history of the Netherlands national team

  • Gross annual salary: 550,000 euros (including 250,000 euros of fixed salary and 300,000 euros of extra-sporting income)

  • Analysis: Vivianne Miedema is one of the most prominent attackers at the moment. Her sense of goal and her efficiency make her a player coveted by the biggest clubs.

9. Amandine Henry (France)

  • Midfielder

  • Current club: Olympique Lyonnais

  • Prize list: European Champion (2013, 2017), Eight consecutive French championship titles (2011 to 2018)

  • Gross annual salary: 500,000 euros (including 250,000 euros of fixed salary and 250,000 euros of extra-sporting income)

  • Analysis: Amandine Henry is a pillar of French women's football. Her experience, her technique and her influence on the game position her among the highest paid players in France.

10. Pernille Harder (Denmark)

  • Attacker

  • Current club: Chelsea FC

  • Prize list: Top scorer in the history of the German championship, Champion of England (2021, 2022)

  • Gross annual salary: 450,000 euros (including 200,000 euros of fixed salary and 250,000 euros of extra-sporting income)

  • Analysis: Pernille Harder is a technical and versatile player capable of playing in several offensive positions. His record transfer to Chelsea in 2020 marked a turning point in his career and salary.

Factors influencing salaries

Several factors contribute to the differences in pay between players:

  • Sports performance: The titles won, the level of play and the consistency of performance are key elements in obtaining the best contracts.

  • Popularity and brand image: The number of subscribers on social networks, advertising contracts and the media impact of a player influence her attractiveness to sponsors and clubs.

  • League and home club: Richer leagues and clubs, such as the NWSL in the United States or the WSL in England, may offer higher salaries.

Comparison with men's football

If the salaries of the players

Although female players' salaries have seen an encouraging increase, the gap with men's football remains significant. As an illustration, Kylian Mbappé, one of the highest paid players in the world, receives an annual salary of around 80 million euros. This astronomical figure highlights the road still to be covered to achieve true equal pay in football.