20 Must-Follow Female Soccer Stars on Instagram

W. Syaban

April 06, 2025

Several renowned women footballers encompass Aitana Bonmati, Lucy Bronze, Asisat Oshoala, and Trinity Rodman They gain recognition through their abilities, the squads they represent, personal accolades, and national origin. These athletes regularly participate in the most prestigious competitions and leagues globally.

Key takeaways

Aitana Bonmati, Lucy Bronze, Asisat Oshoala, and Trinity Rodman are some of the most renowned footballers.
Alisha Lehmann is the most-followed female soccer player on Instagram, with 16.6 million followers .
Asisat Oshoala is the most followed African female footballer on Instagram, boasting 1.3 million followers.
Marta leads as the top World Cup goal scorer, both for men and women, with 17 goals.
Jenni Hermoso is among the most enduring players on Spain's national women’s football team, boasting an impressive 123 appearances.

Famous female soccer players

Name of player	Current team	Instagram following
Alisha Lehmann	Juventus Women	16.6 million
Alexia Putellas	FC Barcelona Femeni	3.3 million
Ana Maria Marković	SF Damaiense SAD - Futebol Feminino	3.2 million
Marta	Orlando Pirates	2.9 million
Aitana Bonmati	FC Barcelona Femeni	2 million
Sam Kerr	Chelsea Women	1.8 million
Deyna Castellanos	Portland Thorns	1.7 million
Jordyn Huitema	Seattle Reign	1.4 million
Asisat Oshoala	Bay FC	1.3 million
Lieke Martens	Paris-Saint Germain	1.2 million
Jenni Hermoso	Tigres UANL	1.1 million
Leah Williamson	Arsenal Women	1.1 million
Cristiane Rozeira	Flamengo	1 million
Linda Caicedo	Real Madrid Femenino	940,000
Lauren James	Chelsea Women	851,000
Lucy Bronze	Chelsea Women	796,000
Christiane Endler	Olympique Lyonnais Féminin	783,000
Guilia Gwinn	Bayern Munich Frauen	663,000
Trinity Rodman	Washington Spirit	548,000
Sophia Wilson	Portland Thorns	468,000

The compilation of renowned women footballers in this list was done by examining various elements including their professional accomplishments, social media presence on platforms like Instagram, and their prowess and techniques during play. To ensure accuracy, we referred to sources such as The Guardian and FourFourTwo for data. With that said, let’s meet these athletes.

1. Alisha Lehmann - 16.6 million

Full name: Alisha Debora Lehmann
Date of birth: 21 January 1999
Position: Forward
Nationality: Swiss

Alisha Lehmann leads as the most-followed female footballer on Instagram, boasting 16.5 million followers. Currently playing for Juventus in Italy and representing the Swiss national squad, she also boasts experience from her time at clubs such as BSC Young Boys Women’s Team, West Ham United, Everton, and Aston Villa. As a midfielder, she brings significant skill across multiple teams.

In 2017, she stepped into the international arena and has since accumulated around 58 appearances. Her distinctive style, captivating beauty, and keen fashion sense have played a role in her growing fan base.

2. Alexia Puigles - 3.3 million

Full name: Alexia Putellas Segura
Date of birth: 4 February 1994
Position: Midfield
Nationality: Spanish

Alexia Puigletas stands out as one of the world's leading female footballers. Her significant impact on both FC Barcelona and the Spanish national squad sets her apart. Under her leadership, Las Blaugranas have secured victories in the UEFA Women’s Champions League along with every available domestic title.

Raised through the ranks at FC Barcelona, Putellas has taken part in 459 games. In 2023, as a member of the national squad, she contributed to Spain winning their maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup title. Known as La Reina, she has been honored with two Ballon d'Or awards.

3. Ana Maria Markovic - 3.2 million

Full name: Ana Maria Marković
Date of birth: 9 November 1999
Position: Forward
Nationality: Croatian

Maria Markovic is a Croatian soccer player currently representing the Portuguese club SF Damaiense SAD—Futebol Feminino. Before joining her current team, she played for Sporting Braga, Grasshopper Club Zurich Frauen, and FC Zurich.

The forward first played for her country in 2021 and has made at least 20 appearances. Apart from football, Ana Maria is an entrepreneur. She founded RELOADZ, a company making beverages for people with active lifestyles.

4. Marta - 2.9 million

Full name: Marta Vieira da Silva
Date of birth: 19 February 1986
Position: Forward
Nationality: Brazilian

Marta is regarded as the foremost female footballer in history. Holding the record for most World Cup goals across both genders with 17 strikes, she also leads Brazil’s scoring charts with 119 goals. Additionally, she made history as the first player to find the back of the net in five successive FIFA Women's World Cups.

In addition to her illustrious international career, Marta has also been part of various clubs such as Vasco da Gama, Los Angeles Sol, Western New York Flash, and Orlando Pride.

5. Aitana Bonmati - 2 million

Full name: Aitana Bonmatí i Conca
Date of birth: 18 January 1998
Position: Midfielder
Nationality: Spanish

Aitana Bonmati stands out as one of the most renowned female soccer players globally. She has been honored twice with the Ballon d'Or award, claimed victory at the World Cup, and triumphed in the Champions League.

Bonmati plays for FC Barcelona and holds significant influence within the squad. She began her journey with the club at the youth level before advancing to the senior team, where she remains the sole team she has played for throughout her professional career.

6. Sam Kerr - 1.8M

Full name: Samantha May Kerr
Date of birth: 10 September 1993
Position: Striker
Nationality: Australian

Sam Kerr has claimed championship honors wherever she has competed, including winning the W-League Premiership Down Under in her native Australia, securing the NWSL Shield stateside in the U.S., and lifting the FA Women’s Super League trophy across the pond in England. On an international level, Kerr boasts more than 100 appearances for the Australian national team and led them into the semi-finals of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

7. Deyna Castellanos - 1.7 million

Full name: Deyna Cristina Castellanos Naujenis
Date of birth: 18 April 1999
Position: Forward
Nationality: Venezuelan

The Venezuelan plays for Portland Thorns in the National Women’s Soccer League in the United States. She joined the team in January 2025 for two years until 2027. Previously, Castellanos has played for Atletico Madrid, Manchester City, and Bay FC. Internationally, the forward debuted for her national team in 2018.

8. Jordyn Huitema - 1.4 million

Full name: Jordyn Pamela Huitema
Date of birth: 8 May 2001
Position: Forward
Nationality: Canadian

Jordyn Huitema gained prominence early in her career as a young talent. At just 15 years old, she made her debut with the Canadian national team and notched her first goal when she was only 16. Additionally, her former connection with Alphonso Davies contributed to her rising fame. Throughout her career, she has been associated with well-known teams like Paris Saint-Germain and is presently playing for Seattle Reign.

9. Asisat Oshoala - 1.3 million

Full name: Asisat Lamina Oshoala
Date of birth: 9 October 1994
Position: Striker
Nationality: Nigerian

Asisat Oshoala stands as the most renowned female footballer in Africa on Instagram. The Nigerian athlete has reached milestones that many women across the continent strive for.

For instance, she has claimed six titles as the African Women Player of the Year, making her the inaugural African female athlete to triumph in the Champions League. Additionally, she was the first from Africa to receive the honor of BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year.

Furthermore, the forward has been part of prominent teams such as Liverpool, Arsenal, and Barcelona.

10. Lieke Martens - 1.2 million

Full name: Lieke Elisabeth Petronella Martens van-Leer
Date of birth: 16 December 2022
Position: Winger, Midfielder
Nationality: Dutch

In 2024, Martens stepped down from international football, leaving behind an impressive legacy. During her career, she clinched the Euro Tournament in 2017, where she was named both the Player of the Tournament and the recipient of the Bronze Boot award.

She received the UEFA Player of the Year award and the Best FIFA Women’s Player honor for her performances. During her career with the Netherlands national team from 2011 to 2024, she made 160 appearances.

Martens represents Paris-Saint Germain at the club level and has formerly played for Barcelona, Rosengård, Göteborg, and Duisburg.

11. Jenni Hermoso - 1.1M

Full name: Jennifer Hermoso Fuentes
Date of birth: 9 May 1990
Position: Forward
Nationality: Spanish

Jenni Hermoso has been one of the most enduring players on Spain's national women’s football squad, earning 123 appearances over her career. She made her debut for the nation in 2012 and went on to become a member of the victorious team at the 2023 World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand.

Apart from her international success, the forward has also experienced club success. She has won the Liga F, Champions League, Coupe de France Feminine, and Copa de la Reina.

12. Leah Williamson - 1.1M

Full name: Leah Cathrine Williamson
Date of birth: 29 March 1997
Position: Midfielder, centre-back
Nationality: English

Leah has been with Arsenal since 2006 after joining their youth setup. She moved up to the main squad in 2014 and has steadily risen in prominence ever since. With more than 230 matches under her belt, Leah Williamson serves as Arsenal’s deputy captain. On an international level, she boasts of 53 caps for England’s national side known as the Lionesses.

13. Cristiane Rozeira - 1 million

Full name: Christiane Rozeira de Souza Silva
Date of birth: 15 May 1985
Position: Forward
Nationality: Brazilian

Cristiane started her professional journey in São Bernardo, Brazil. She then moved forward with her senior career playing for Juventus-SP before progressing to FFC Turbine Potsdam, VfL Wolfsburg, Linköping, and additional clubs.

During her time playing for various clubs, Cristiane has accumulated numerous accolades, such as winning the UEFA Women’s Cup, Bundesliga title, Copa Libertadores, and Copa do Brasil. On an international level, representing Brazil, she boasts more than 100 caps across competitions like the FIFA World Cup, Olympics, and Copa Libertadores Femenina.

14. Linda Caicedo - 940k

Full name: Linda Lizeth Caicedo Alegría
Date of birth: 22 February 2005
Position: Forward
Nationality: Colombian

The Colombian player stands out as one of the most promising talents among the younger generation globally. Renowned for her exceptional ball control, speed, and goal-scoring prowess, her journey commenced at various boys' academies including Real Juanchito, Generaciones Palmiranas, and CD Atlas C.P. After launching her professional tenure with América de Cali in 2019, she later transferred to Deportivo Cali prior to signing with Real Madrid in 2023.

15. Lauren James - 851k

Full name: Lauren Elizabeth James
Date of birth: 29 September 2001
Position: Forward
Nationality: English

After several outstanding performances recognized as player of the match, Lauren James’s prominence in the sport has increased. Playing for Chelsea, she has also made more than 20 appearances for the English national squad.

James' playing style—characterized by smooth, graceful dribbling, precise passing, and an knack for scoring from afar—sets them apart as a player. Their standing is further elevated due to their sibling, Reece James, who is also involved in football.

16. Lucy Bronze - 796k

Full name: Lucia Roberta Tough Bronze
Date of birth: 28 October 1991
Position: Defender
Nationality: English

Lucy Bronze ranks as one of the premier defenders globally. Her career started at Sunderland before she moved on to play for major teams such as Liverpool, Everton, Manchester City, Lyon, Barcelona, and currently Chelsea.

Over the course of her career, Bronze has claimed multiple championships: the Women’s Super League, Champions League, Division 1 Féminine, Coupe de France Feminine, and Liga F.

17. Christiane Endler - 783,000

Full name: Claudia Christiane Endler Mutinelli
Date of birth: 23 July 1991
Position: Goalkeeper
Nationality: Chilean

Christiane Endler ranks among the top goalkeepers in women's soccer. She served as Lyon's primary goalie and previously held this position with the Chilean national team prior to her retirement. In 2021, Endler moved to Lyon, where she will remain through 2027. Earlier in her career, she also represented teams such as Paris-Saint-Germain, Valencia, Colo-Colo, Chelsea, and Everton.

18. Giulia Gwinn - 633,000

Full name: Giulia Ronja Gwinn
Date of birth: 2 July 1999
Position: Right-back, midfielder
Nationality: German

Guilia Gwinn was appointed as the captain of the German women's soccer squad. She called this "the most wonderful occurrence for me." Gwinn received her initial international appearance in 2017 and has since accumulated 57 caps.

Outside of her international commitments, Gwinn is part of Bayern Munich’s roster. With them, she enjoys considerable success, such as clinching the Frauen Bundesliga titles in the seasons 2020/21, 2022/23, and 2023/24, along with securing the DFB Supercup.

19. Trinity Rodman - 548,000

Full name: Trinity Rain Moyer-Rodman
Date of birth: 20 May 2000
Position: Forward
Nationality: American

Trinity Rodman competes for the Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). She made history as the youngest draftee in the league when she joined in 2021 and quickly established herself as an integral member of the squad. On the international stage, Trinity represented her country for the first time in January 2022 and went on to be part of the U.S. team that secured a gold medal at the Olympics held in Paris during 2024.

20. Sophia Wilson - 468K

Full name: Sophia Olivia Wilson
Date of birth: 10 August 2000
Position: Forward
Nationality: American

Sophia Smith competes for the Portland Thorns. The team selected her as their first choice when drafting directly out of Stanford Cardinal back in 2020. With the Thorns, she has claimed numerous championships such as the NWSL Crown, NWSL Shield, NWSL Challenge Cup, and NWSL Community Shield.

In 2022, Smith received the honors of being the US Soccer Female Player of the Year, the NWSL Most Valuable Player, and the MVP of the NWSL Championship.

Final word

These famous female soccer players continue to raise the profile of women’s football. They play for some of the world’s biggest clubs and are using their social media pages to increase the game’s visibility.

The .co.ke website featured an article about prominent Black Canadian soccer players. Despite Canada not being renowned for its prowess in soccer, the nation has indeed nurtured athletes who have made their mark in top-tier international leagues. Curious to learn more about these talented individuals? You can read the full piece on the .co.ke site to discover them.