Top 10 Most Successful Footballers of FIFA Women's World Cup

July 14, 2021 By Sourav

Football, being a sport of power, agility, and sweat, has always been considered more of a masculine idea of entertainment. It is not believed to be the forte of women. However, over many decades, women have proven that they can be just as good with the ball as their male counterparts.

Several female soccer players have put up a great display of soccer skills, and are now counted among the top players in the world. Besides, there are several most successful footballers of the FIFA Women's World Cup who are still quite active in the football scenario.

Most Successful Footballers of FIFA Women's World Cup

Like in the case of male soccer, female football, too, is seen at its best during the FIFA Women’s World Cup. Some of the greatest performances by the soccer players have been recorded in the course of this tournament. Let us take a look at the Top 10 Most Successful footballers of the FIFA Women's World Cup.

10. Hege Riise

Former Norwegian footballer Hege Riise was a member of the Norway soccer team that won the gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. Hege Riise participated in four Women’s World Cup in her active footballing career in 1991, 1995, 1999, and 2003.

She scored a total of 9 goals in FIFA World Cups and is inducted in the tenth place in our list of 10 most successful footballers of FIFA women's world cup.

Riise scored 1 goal in 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup China, 5 goals in 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup Sweden, and 3 goals in 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup in the United States but failed to score any during the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup United States for her national side.

9. Linda Medalen

Former Norwegian footballer Linda Medalen was a leading member of the Norwegian team that won the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup.

She works as a police officer beside her active football career. Linda Medalen participated in three Women’s World Cup in her active soccer career in 1991, 1995, and 1999.

She scored a total of 9 goals in FIFA World Cups and is inducted in the ninth place in our list of 10 most successful footballers of FIFA women's world cup.

Linda Medalen scored 6 goals in 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup China, 2 goals in 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup Sweden, and 1 goal in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup United States for her national side.

8. Heidi Mohr

Former German footballer Heidi Mohr was renowned for her amazing speed and also for her ability to shoot with both of her feet.

She was voted Europe's Footballer of the Century in 1999 and was the top scorer in the Bundesliga for 5 consecutive years from 1991 to 1995. Heidi Mohr participated in two Women’s World Cup in her active footballing career in 1991 and 1995.

She scored a total of 10 goals in FIFA World Cups and is inducted in the eighth place in our list of 10 most successful footballers of FIFA women's world cup.

Heidi Mohr scored 7 goals in 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup China and 3 goals in 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup Sweden for her national side.

7. Ann Kristin Aarønes

Former footballer Ann Kristin "Anka" Aarønes was a member of the women's national soccer team of Norway. She has also received her place in the All-star team at the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.

She scored 60 goals in 111 matches for Norway between 1990 and 1999. Ann Kristin Aarønes participated in two Women’s World Cup in her active soccer career in 1995 and 1999.

She scored a total of 10 goals in FIFA World Cups. And now, she also holds the seventh place in our list of the 10 most successful footballers of FIFA women's world cup.

Ann Kristin Aarønes scored 6 goals in 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup Sweden and 4 goals in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup United States for her national side.

6. Bettina Wiegmann

Retired football midfielder Bettina Wiegmann was a member of the women's national soccer team of Germany. She has received the German Female Footballer of the Year title in 1997.

She scored 51 goals in 154 matches for her national side between 1989 and 2003. Bettina Wiegmann participated in four Women’s World Cup in her active footballing career in 1991, 1995, 1999, and 2003.

She scored a total of 11 goals in FIFA World Cups. Besides, she also deserves the sixth place in our list of the 10 most successful footballers of FIFA women's world cup.

Bettina Wiegmann scored 3 goals in 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup China, 3 goals in 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup Sweden, 3 goals in 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup the United States, and 2 goals in 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup the United States for her national side.

5. Sun Wen

Retired Chinese footballer Sun Wen won the FIFA Female Player of the Century along with Michelle Akers in 2000. She won both the Golden Ball and Golden Boot at the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup.

Sun Wen participated in four Women’s World Cup in her active footballing career in 1991, 1995, 1999, and 2003. She scored a total of 11 goals in FIFA World Cups. And, she now also holds the fifth place in our list of 10 most successful footballers of FIFA women's world cup.

Sun Wen scored 1 goal in 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup China, 2 goals in 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup Sweden, 7 goals in 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup the United States, and 1 goal in 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup the United States for her national side.

4. Michelle Akers

Former leading American soccer player Michelle Anne Akers won the Golden Boot as the top scorer in the 1991 FIFA World Cup. She was named FIFA Female Player of the Century and is a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Michelle Akers participated in three Women’s World Cup in her active footballing career in 1991, 1995, and 1999. She scored a total of 12 goals in FIFA World Cups.

Akers now holds the fourth place in our list of most successful footballers of FIFA women's world cup. Michelle Akers scored 10 goals in the 1991 FIFA Women's World Cup China.

She then also scored 2 goals in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup United States. However, she failed to score any during the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup Sweden for her national side.

3. Abby Wambach

FIFA named American soccer player and Coach Mary Abigail "Abby" Wambach as the World Player of the Year 2012. She is also a six-time winner of the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award.

Abby Wambach participated in four Women’s World Cup in her career till now in 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2015. One of the richest female soccer players, Wambach, has scored a total of 14 goals in FIFA World Cups.

She now also holds the third place in our list of most successful footballers of FIFA women's world cup. Abby Wambach scored 3 goals in the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup United States and 6 goals in 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup China.

She scored 4 goals in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Germany. She then also scored a goal in the 2015 edition of the World Cup for her national side.

2. Birgit Prinz

Retired German female association football player Birgit Prinz is widely regarded as one of soccer's most prolific strikers. She currently works as a sports psychologist for the Bundesliga club TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.

Birgit Prinz participated in five Women’s World Cup in her career till now in 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011.

She scored a total of 14 goals in FIFA World Cups. She now also holds the second place in our list of the 10 most successful footballers of FIFA women's world cup.

Birgit Prinz scored 1 goal each in 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup Sweden and 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup the United States, 7 goals in 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup the United States, and 5 goals in 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup China for her national side.

1. Marta

Brazilian football forward Marta Vieira da Silva now plays for Orlando Pride. Besides, she also makes international appearances for the Brazilian soccer team.

She helped the Brazilian national football team to win the silver medal at the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics. Marta participated in four Women’s World Cup in her career till now in 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2015.

One of the most popular female soccer players, Marta, has scored a total of 15 goals in FIFA World Cups. And, she now also holds the top place in our list of 10 most successful footballers of FIFA women's world cup.

Marta scored 3 goals in the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup United States and 7 goals in 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup China. She then also scored 4 goals in the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup Germany for her national side. In the 2015 edition, she scored just once.

Most Successful Footballers | FIFA Women's World Cup Infographics

Final Words

These women and many more have proven their worth in the world of soccer, and have established that the sport is not just for men but for women as well. They have added a whole new dimension to soccer world cups, and have attracted the attention of soccer lovers. So, we hope that you liked our list of the Most Successful Footballers of FIFA Women's World Cup. Don't forget to send us your comments.