In today’s world, people remember the popular names but forget to acknowledge those players who had the same share of a promising career but were unnoticed in their sport. There have been several women footballers who paved their own way to popularity but their career still remain underrated even today in comparison to the men’s players.
1. Mariona Caldentey
The Spanish midfielder currently plays for the Arsenal club in the Women’s Super League. In her first year with England, Mariona was awarded the WSL Player of the Season and lifted her fourth UEFA Champions League title. Previously, she won three times with Barcelona. In 41 games played so far, she has scored 19 goals, nine in the WSL and eight in Europe.
2. Jennifer Falk
The goalkeeper is playing in her fifth season with BK Häcken and played her first international match of the year in the Champions League qualifiers. On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, Hacken won the match against GKS Katowice by 4-0 in the UEFA Women’s European Cup 2025.
She also played for the Swedish national football team and was part of the 2023 World Cup. After defeating Spain in the semi-final, the team won by 2-0 against Australia to claim the bronze medal.
3. Mary Fowler
As Australia’s PFA Young Women’s Footballer of the Year and a second spot in NXGN Football’s 2022 Women’s Next Generation shortlist, Mary Fowler came in as a young talent to Manchester City and made her debut scoring goals in a 6-0 Continental Cup win over Blackburn back in October 2022.
She also represented Australia’s national football team, the Matildas, and was part of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019, followed by her participation in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. In the quarterfinals match she scored against Great Britain and also played against Sweden, whom they lost to in the top four.
4. Sydney Lohman
After playing for eight seasons in Frauen-Bundesliga, the 25-year-old joined Manchester City on a three-year deal in July 2025. The midfielder has had a prolific international career representing Germany.
She competed in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia, which was won by Spain, and led Germany to a bronze medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The midfielder was also part of the Euro League 2025 and helped Germany to reach the semi-finals, which they lost against Spain.
5. Sjoeke Nusken
The German footballer plays for the Women’s Super League club Chelsea as a midfielder and defender. She can play both defense and central midfield. She made her debut for the 2023-24 season against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge. Sjoeke scored her first hat trick against Brighton & Hove Albion during a 4-2 win in October. She was a versatile player who helped in defense and as a forward, scoring 12 times in her 23 starts and 15 sub appearances.
Ahead of her second season, she was ranked 25th in the Women’s Ballon d’Or list. She was part of the team’s win at the Wembley FA Cup against Manchester United. She ended the 2024-25 season with five goals, 25 starts, and 11 sub appearances.
