Who Are The Most Followed Female Footballers On Instagram?

For any sport to flourish it needs superstars, and women’s soccer is in no short supply of them. Several are included in our list below while elsewhere retired greats such as Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe have used their considerable social media presence to promote the game and connect with fans.

Most Followed Female Soccer Players

• Lieke Martens – 1.1 million
• Leah Williamson – 1.1 million
• Jordyn Huitema – 1.4 million
• Deyna Castellanos – 1.7 million
• Sam Kerr – 1.7 million
• Norma Palafox – 2.2 million
• Marta – 2.9 million
• Ana Markovic – 3.2 million
• Alexia Putellas – 3.3 million
• Alisha Lehmann – 16.8 million

What stands out from this influential ten is that each player represents a different country, highlighting how the women’s game is on the rise across the globe.

Here we take a look at the most popular women’s soccer players on Instagram.

Lieke Martens – 1.1 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. With Les Parisiennes always well-backed in the online betting to win silverware expect that to change sometime soon.

Leah Williamson – 1.1 million

It’s no surprise that Williamson has the largest following of all the Lionesses. As captain and leader of her country, the defender is hugely admired across all demographics and furthermore has proven herself to be a nuanced public speaker on causes that are close to her heart.

On being described as an ‘activist’ her response was laudable, saying, “I’m uncomfortable with the way the word activism is used, because I think it’s just how normal people should behave.”

Her most engaged post is a family snap taken outside Windsor Castle last autumn, the Arsenal ace showing off her OBE.

Jordyn Huitema – 1.4 million

Jordyn Huitema is one of the best young players in the world. Standing at 5’11, the 23-year-old is tipped for big things and has already featured for PSG and OL Reign.

Some have suggested Huitema can fill the sizeable shoes of Christine Sinclair for Canada.

Huitema has previously made headlines for her relationship with compatriot and fellow star Alphonso Davies. Since splitting in 2022 it has become public that Huitema is dating baseball phenom Julio Rodrigez.

Deyna Castellanos – 1.7 million

Deyna Castellanos is not as decorated as many of her peers here, 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.

She is very active on Instagram, which has helped 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 – 1.7 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.

The prolific striker signed for Chelsea in 2020, and subsequently she has helped the Blues justify their consistently short football odds by banging in a shed-load of goals. Since her high-profile transfer Chelsea have won the league four years running.

Australia’s captain and national treasure has exceeded 1000 posts on Instagram, her latest gaining widespread traction when she revealed herself and partner Kristie Mewis are expecting their first baby.

With Mewis also a professional footballer we can expect lots of tummy-kicking in months to come.

Norma Palafox – 2.2 million

The 26-year-old winger may not be particularly well known in Europe, nor is she a major star in her native Mexico, moving from club to club, her latest being Juarez who she joined last summer.

Palafox’s Instagram game however is strong, displaying a warmth and sense of humour that is endearing. A string of lucrative brand endorsements has inevitably accompanied her social media rise.

Marta – 2.9 million

The consensus greatest female footballer of all-time, it’s no surprise to find Marta in the top five on this list. The Brazilian is among the highest-paid female soccer players and has exhibited her skills for the Orlando 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.

Her CV speaks for itself, from titles in Sweden to leading Brazil to finals at the Women’s World Cup and Olympics. Both a masterful playmaker and heavy goal scorer, Marta is a once-in-a-generation talent.

Ana Markovic – 3.2 million

SC Braga forward Ana Markovic may not be of the same elite calibre as many on this list but the Croatian international uses her social media presence well, mixing up training pics with photographs of glamourous nights out.

In March 2023, an ACL injury set her career back and she documented her long journey back to full fitness online.

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.

One of the greatest talents to emerge from the women’s game, she 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 Barca tenure and comparisons to Andres Iniesta are accurate, such is Putellas’ ability to dribble past opponents and deliver passes through the tightest of windows. Not for nothing is she dubbed ‘La Reina’ (The Queen).

Alisha Lehmann – 16.8 million

The 25-year-old forward boasts more Instagram followers than any other Swiss sports star past or present, including Roger Federer by a good four million.

Born in Tägertschi, Lehmann has represented her country on 56 occasions, and principally made her name at club level at West Ham and Aston Villa, meeting and falling in love with Douglas Luiz at the latter.

Last summer, the pair both transferred to Juventus, the move further boosting the Swiss ace’s social media profile. She remains very active on various social media channels and has recently collaborated with EA Sports.

Lehmann 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.”