Best International Women's Goal Scorers

Author Image Article By Grant McQuillan GDC - Icon - Black - Info
Date IconLast Updated: 
Share On Your Network
Best International Women's Goal Scorers
© PA

Favorites to win the Golden Boot at the 2023 Women's World Cup

Women's World Cup Has Seen Its Share of Great Goal Scorers

With the Women's World Cup approaching, we decided to take a look at some of the greatest goal-scorers in history.

Some of these women led their teams to titles and were dominant in doing so. Some won championships in their respective leagues.

Even if they didn't win a championship, they dominated the game.

Who Are the Greatest Goal Scorers in Women's Soccer?

Marta (115 goals)

 

In the eyes of many, Marta is the greatest female footballer of all time. She has won a record six FIFA World Player of the Year awards and although there is no World Cup in her trophy cabinet, Marta is the all-time top goal scorer at the Women's World Cup with 17 goals scored since the 2003 finals.

Marta's first goal for Brazil came against Peru at the 2003 Copa América, before going on to score a hat-trick in the following game against Colombia. She scored three goals at the 2003 World Cup, and four years later at the 2007 Pan American Games, Marta scored 11 goals in six matches.

The Brazilian legend has stated that the 2023 World Cup will be her last, and she will go down as the best goal scorer in World Cup history and as arguably the best female player to ever live. 

Julie Fleeting (116 goals) 

 

One of the first serial goal scorers on the women's European scene was Julie Fleeting. Fleeting won 17 major trophies with Arsenal and finished her career with 116 goals in 121 caps for Scotland - no woman with more than 50 goals in European international soccer has a better goals-to-game ratio.

Fleeting made her debut in 1996 and retired 19 years later. She scored her final goal in a friendly victory against Belgium in 2011, but the birth of her second daughter meant Scotland's all-time top goal scorer would miss two major championship qualifying campaigns. Should Fleeting have been around for those games, she no doubt would be further up this list.

Nevertheless, the Arsenal legend remains the best goal scorer from Great Britain in women’s soccer history.

Birgit Prinz (128 goals) 

 

An eight-time German Player of the Year and a three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, Birgit Prinz is the greatest goal scorer on the women’s international scene hailing from Europe.

In total, Prinz scored 128 goals in 214 caps for Germany and even finished her club career with 282 goals in as many games, making her one of the most prolific goalscorers in the women's game in all competitions.

Prinz is also a two-time winner of the Women’s World Cup after starring in the 2003 and 2007 triumphs for Germany. She won the Golden Boot with seven goals in 2003 alongside her Golden Ball victory at that tournament.

Maysa Jbarah (133 goals) 

 

Although third on the all-time list, Maysa Jbarah has one of the best goals-to-game ratios in women’s soccer history with a stunning 133 goals from 128 appearances with Jordan.

Indeed, a lot of these goals did come against weaker opposition in comparison to the goal-scoring stars on the European and North American scenes. Nevertheless, no player in the international game with more than 50 goals has a better goals-to-game ratio than her. This in itself slots her right into the record books.

Now in her 30s, Jbarah still plays for Jordan and will no doubt look to overtake those above her in the list before she calls it a day.

Abby Wambach (184 goals) 

 

The list of accolades for the legendary Abby Wambach is endless. She is a six-time winner of the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award, the all-time leading goal scorer for the four-time World Cup winners, while she has also won one of those World Cups for the USA.

Wambach made her debut in September 2001 and retired from international duty 14 years later with 184 goals in 255 appearances. What makes Wambach's performances for her country even more impressive is how she is only sixth on the all-time caps list and has also produced 73 assists for the U.S.

Wambach is undoubtedly one of the best female players of all time and a pioneer for the women’s game.

Christine Sinclair (190 goals)

 

Out on her own as the greatest goal scorer in women’s international soccer is Canada’s Christine Sinclair, who has so far scored 190 goals in 317 matches. This also means Sinclair has made more appearances for the Canada women’s national team than anybody else after making her debut in March 2000. 

Her stunning record equals a goals-to-game ratio of 0.6, and Sinclair will also be in attendance at the 2023 Women’s World Cup for Canada. At 40 years old, she will be eyeing up the 200-goal mark for her country and she would then become the only player in soccer history across both the men’s and women’s games to do so.

Updated by GDC - Icon - Black - Info

Grant McQuillan

Last Updated Icon

Last Updated:  

Share:
Facebook Icon Twitter Icon Linkedin Icon Email Icon Copy Link Icon