Football, known in the United States as soccer, has been played by both men and women since the 1800s. Many countries have created football leagues and teams just for women, and there have been many female footballers who have achieved international recognition over the years, including some of the greatest athletes in any sport. Here are 10 of the greatest female footballers of all time.
Following are the Greatest Female Footballers :
1) Mia Hamm
A Passion for Soccer – As a soccer player, Mia Hamm has always been passionate about making a difference. She was born on March 17, 1972 in Selma, Alabama, and went on to become one of women’s soccer’s greatest players ever. During her career playing for US women’s national team from 1988 to 2004, she scored more goals than any other player in history with 158. Between 1991 and 2004 she won two Olympic gold medals and a World Cup title with her team.
2) Marta Vieira da Silva
Brazil’s Marta is considered by many to be one of, if not THE greatest female footballer to ever play. She has been FIFA World Player of the Year five times (2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2013), as well as being named The Best FIFA Women’s Player in 2011 and 2012. This brilliant player is also a two-time Olympic gold medalist with Brazil’s women’s national team.
3) Nadine Angerer
The German goalkeeper is nicknamed die Katze von Anzing which roughly translates to the cat from Amazing. Not only was she a great shot stopper, but she was also cool under pressure with a presence between her post that brought confidence to her team. She led Germany to a World Cup victory in 2003 and won two UEFA Championships with FFC Frankfurt. She retired from international play after winning Euro 2013 but will likely make an appearance at Canada 2015.
4) Birgit Prinz
Known as Prinz Poldi (translation: Princess Poldi), Prinz is a German footballer who is currently playing for Bayern Munich. She made her international debut in 2002, scoring 18 goals. She was part of Germany’s 2007 World Cup winning team and led them to another World Cup victory in 2011. In total, she has played over 250 times for her country and scored 112 goals.
5) Michelle Akers
A co-captain on the 1991 World Cup champion the United States women’s national soccer team, Akers is generally considered to be one of the greatest female players in history. Throughout her career, she won four Olympic gold medals and led teams to two FIFA Women’s World Cups as well as an Algarve Cup title.
6) Abby Wambach
Few would dispute that Abby Wambach is one of, if not the greatest female footballer in history. In addition to being a two-time Olympic gold medalist, she has been named FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year twice, a feat no male or female footballer has ever achieved. The decorated athlete was named to the U.S.
7) Homare Sawa
Japan is home to some fantastic female football talent, and Homare Sawa is one of their all-time greats. Sawa played for Japan in four World Cups and led her team to a third-place finish in 2011. She was named FIFA Women’s Player of Year twice during her career and retired from international play after leading Japan to its first-ever Women’s World Cup title.
8) Christine Sinclair
Sinclair is arguably one of Canada’s most important and impactful athletes, ever. The Canadian captain has scored 161 goals for her country, including a record 23 in 2012 when she led her team to a bronze medal at that year’s London Olympics.
9) Christie Rampone
A defender for Sky Blue FC in New Jersey, Rampone is best known for her tenure with the USWNT, having played 271 games since making her debut in 2000. She has two Olympic gold medals and a World Cup title under her belt as well as being named FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year twice. A six-time NWSL champion with Western New York Flash, Rampone is a sure bet to take to be in goal when it matters most.
10) Hope Solo
Hope Solo is a goalkeeper for the United States women’s national soccer team and Seattle Reign FC of NWSL. She was a goalkeeper for various youth national teams from 2000 to 2007, culminating with her selection as team captain at the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
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