Women’s soccer has been on the rise for many years but it has seen a huge influx of fans in the last few years.
With the 2023 Women’s World Cup broadcast around the world, football betting fans have enhanced their understanding of the women’s game.
Social media is a key reason for the increased interest. Stars like Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe have used their social media presence to promote women’s soccer and female footballers are starting to see more recognition.
Most Followed Female Soccer Players:
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Lieke Martens – 1.2 million
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Jordyn Huitema – 1.6 million
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Deyna Castellanos – 1.7 million
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Sam Kerr – 1.8 million
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Norma Palafox – 2.2 million
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Marta – 2.8 million
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Alexia Putellas - 3.3 million
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Ana Markovic – 3.3 million
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Alex Morgan – 10.1 million
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Alisha Lehmann – 17 million
The United States women’s national team are the dominant force in soccer but they are facing stronger opposition each year from teams like Brazil and England.
Without further ado, it is time to take a look at the most popular women’s soccer players on Instagram.
Lieke Martens – 1.2 million
An Ajax fan who earned comparisons to Johan Cruyff at a young age, Lieke Martens is an iconic figure in Dutch football.
Martens was named UEFA’s Player of the Year in 2017 ahead of Carli Lloyd and Deyna Castellanos.
The Dutch star followed in the path of another generational playmaker, making the move from Barcelona to PSG in 2022.
Martens, like Lionel Messi, collected medals in Catalunya, but is yet to replicate that success in Paris.
Jordyn Huitema – 1.6 million
Jordyn Huitema is one of the best young players in the world. Standing at 5’11, the 22-year-old is tipped for greatness and has already featured for PSG and OL Reign.
Some have suggested Huitema can fill the sizeable shoes of Christine Sinclair for Canada.
Huitema often made the headlines for her relationship with compatriot and fellow football betting star Alphonso Davies.
The couple split up in 2022. Since, it has become public that Huitema is in a relationship with Seattle Mariners phenom Julio Rodrigez.
Deyna Castellanos – 1.7 million
Deyna Castellanos is not as decorated as many of her peers on this list, but the Venezuelan international has worked as a pundit for men’s and women’s World Cups, and made a high-profile move to Manchester City in 2022.
Castellanos was nominated for The Best FIFA Women’s Player award in 2017, a decision which attracted criticism from Megan Rapinoe.
In Venezuela, fans refer to Castellanos as ‘Queen Deyna’.
She is very active on Instagram, which has helped to amass such a huge following.
After scoring five goals over two seasons for Manchester City, Castellanos was signed by Bay FC in 2024.
Sam Kerr – 1.8 million
The only player to have won the Golden Boot in three different leagues and the all-time leading scorer in the NWSL, Sam Kerr is one of the greatest forwards in the history of women’s football.
Kerr signed for Chelsea in 2020, and has scored at an average of 0.8 goals per match for the west London club.
Long-term skipper of the Australian national team, Kerr has an extraordinary list of accolades on both a personal and team level.
Approaching 1000 posts on Instagram, she is the definition of a world star. She isn’t going anywhere any time soon either, and she will be banging in the goals again once she returns from injury.
Norma Palafox – 2.2 million
Mexican star Norma Palafox has long been a big name in football betting. Since starting her career with Guadalajara, Palafox has moved around several Mexican clubs.
Most recently, she signed for Juarez in 2024.
She frequently posts on Instagram, with plenty of snaps from training, matches and her personal life.
Marta – 2.8 million
The consensus greatest female footballer of all-time, it’s no surprise Marta is in the top five on this list.
The Brazilian is among the highest-paid female soccer players, and has plied her trade with the Orland Pride since 2017.
Marta is a six-time winner of FIFA World Player of the Year. No player has scored more World Cup goals. IFFHS named her the best women’s player of the 2010s.
The CV speaks for itself, from titles in Sweden to leading Brazil to finals at the World Cup and Olympics.
Both a masterful playmaker and prolific goal scorer, Marta is a once-in-a-generation talent.
Alexia Putellas - 3.3 million
A seven-time Spanish champion with Barcelona and the Ballon d’Or winner in 2021 and 2022, Alexia Putellas is an absolute phenomenon.
She has been the best player in the world over the last few years, and has enjoyed immense success at both club and international level. Putellas won the 2023 World Cup and 2023-24 Nations League with Spain, and has twice won the Champions League.
Putellas modelled her game on the midfielders of Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona tenure. Comparisons to Andres Iniesta are accurate, such is Putellas’ ability to dribble past opponents and deliver passes through the tightest of windows.
At 30 years old, Putellas will remain at the peak of her powers for years to come.
Ana Markovic – 3.3 million
Grasshoppers forward Ana Markovic has almost three million followers on Instagram, putting her ahead of some of the best players in the world.
Markovic is yet to reach those heights, though she has made 11 appearances for Croatia since debuting in 2021.
Alex Morgan – 10.1 million
Alex Morgan has won an Olympic gold, two World Cups and the Champions League. She’s a four-time CONCACAF Player of the Year and was included in IFFHS’ Team of the Decade.
Morgan is an all-time great, but her on-pitch achievements are just part of what makes her so well-known.
The San Dimas native was all over social media with the infamous tea-sipping celebration. She appeared in a Maroon 5 music video, and even worked as a sport envoy in 2017.
Morgan transcends football. Away from the silverware, individual honours and match-winning performances, the San Diego Wave striker is a household name.
Americans with no more than a passing interest in the Beautiful Game will be well aware of Alex Morgan, hence the 10 million followers.
Alisha Lehmann – 17 million
Having passed the 17 million mark, Alisha Lehmann is the most followed female footballer on Instagram by a healthy margin.
Born in Tägertschi, Lehmann has represented Switzerland on 49 occasions, but moved to English football in 2018 when she joined West Ham.
Via a short loan at Everton, Lehmann swapped London for Birmingham as she signed with Aston Villa in 2021.
Lehmann has become a viral sensation. She is very active on various social media channels, and has recently collaborated with EA Sports.
The Swiss international has attracted a lot of attention over the last couple of years, and in a 2023 interview, spoke passionately about femininity in sport.
"It's not a bad thing to want to look like a girl and play football. I really support that, and I want everyone to be themselves when they play the sport. It's just that sometimes people don't seem to accept that women can and do play football."
Credit for the main photo belongs to Alamy*
