5 greatest Female Footballers of all time

Opening ceremony- FIFA Women's World Cup 2015
Opening ceremony- FIFA Women's World Cup 2015

#3 Birgit Prinz (German female footballer)

Brigit during a press conference at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011
Brigit during a press conference at the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011

Birgit Prinz is the joint-second female footballer on the list of most goals scored (14) in the FIFA World Cup.

Looking at her goal tally, one can easily make out that she is a striker; but not just any striker, a prolific one for that matter. Brigit scored 128 goals in 214 appearances for Germany.

At 17, she became the youngest player to play in a World Cup final. The record remains untouched.

Birgit won four UEFA Women's European Championships, two consecutive World Cup titles (2003 and 2007) and many Olympic bronzes from the Sydney 2000, Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Games.

She is a three-time recipient of the 'FIFA Women's Player of the Year' award. She is the current sports psychologist for both the male and female TSG 1889 Hoffenheim team.


#2 Mia Hamm (American female footballer)

Mia Hamm in action vs Norway at the FIFA World Cup
Mia Hamm in action vs Norway at the FIFA World Cup

Mia Hamm, who once played as the only female footballer on the boy's team at Junior high school, was the face of women's football from the early 90's to the early 2000's.

She is renowned for her quickness, accurate shooting and wonderful passes. At the age of 19, she was a member of the US team that won the FIFA Women's World Cup. She later went on to win the title again in 1999, eight years after winning the maiden edition.

Mia had her fair share of Olympic medals, winning two golds from the Atlanta 1996 and the Athens 2004 Olympics.

Hamm has 276 caps and 158 goals. She was voted FIFA Women's Player of the Year in 2001 and 2002. She was also awarded the 'ESPY' for 'Female Athlete of the Year' in 1998 and 1999. She was one of two women named by Pele to 'FIFA's Best 125 players' in 2004 and the first woman to be inducted into the 'World Football Hall of Fame.'


#1 Marta (Brazilian female footballer)

Marta taking a free kick at the Olympics
Marta taking a free kick at the Olympics

The name Marta is synonymous with Women's football. Nicknamed 'Pele with Skirts', Marta is a sporting icon whose hard work and dedication on the pitch have translated into record-breaking feats that will leave an indellible mark on her legacy.

Marta Vieira da Silva is the all-time top scorer, male or female, at the World Cup with 17 goals.

The 35-year-old is eminent in her flair, speed, dribbling skills and goal scoring ability. She is the type of player who dominates the field. She is the first player to score in five straight Olympics and World Cup.

Marta has been named 'FIFA Female World Player of the Year' five consecutive times. The Brazilian has won it all but the only thing missing from her trophy cabinet is an international title.

She was part of the Brazilian squad who finished as runners-up at the 2007 World Cup and collected back-to-back silver medals at the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympics.

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