X-raying the six highest-paid players in women’s football (2025)

The women’s game is booming, with rising viewership and increased revenue leading to higher player salaries. Once considered a semi-professional sport, women’s football is now securing multi-million sponsorship deals, bringing greater financial rewards to its top stars.

Here’s a look at the six highest-paid women’s footballers in 2025:

Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona) – £830,000 per year
The Ballon d’Or winner is currently the highest-paid women’s footballer after signing a new contract with Barcelona. The 26-year-old now earns approximately €1 million per season, as the club moved quickly to secure her amid interest from Chelsea, who reportedly considered triggering her €3 million release clause. Bonmatí also boasts sponsorship deals with Adidas, Nissan, and Alpro, with her contract extending until 2028.

Alexia Putellas (Barcelona) – £583,000 per year
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner follows closely behind. Putellas, 30, renewed her Barcelona contract last May, earning approximately £583,000 per year. Despite struggling with injuries, she remains a crucial figure for the club and one of the most recognizable faces in women’s football.

Sam Kerr (Chelsea) – £448,000 per year
The Matildas’ captain ranks third, earning €538,000 (£448,000) per season after extending her contract with Chelsea. A global icon, Kerr has won multiple trophies and cemented her place as one of the sport’s biggest stars. Off the pitch, she enjoys lucrative endorsements with Nike and other top brands.

Keira Walsh (Barcelona) – £380,000 per year
Walsh became the most expensive female footballer when she moved from Manchester City to Barcelona in 2022. She now earns £380,000 per year, highlighting the club’s commitment to investing in elite talent.

Ada Hegerberg (Lyon) – £331,000 per year
The Lyon striker continues to make history, holding the record for most goals in a single UEFA Women’s Champions League season (15) and remaining the competition’s all-time leading scorer (60 goals). The 2018 Ballon d’Or Féminin winner has been a key player for Lyon since 2014.

Marta (Orlando Pride) – £321,000 per year
Regarded as the greatest female footballer of all time, Marta has won the FIFA World Player of the Year award six times, including five consecutive titles from 2006 to 2010. She remains Brazil’s all-time top scorer (119 goals), and her 17 Women’s World Cup goals make her the tournament’s all-time top scorer—male or female.
The increasing financial investment in women’s football reflects its growing global appeal. With record-breaking salaries, multi-million sponsorships, and a rapidly expanding fan base, the women’s game has become a powerful force in the world of football—one that is only set to grow.