Meet the Women’s World Cup stars with legions of fans raking it in on Instagram
WOMEN'S football is big business.
The WSL grows in influence year-on-year, and the enthusiasm for the Lionesses is bigger than ever following their Euros triumph.
This week, the World Cup kicks off - with Sarina Wiegman hoping to lead England to glory in Australia and New Zealand.
On show will be the game's biggest personalities, who have all become powerful influencers in their own right.
These successful women have scored millions of followers on Instagram, as they share snippets from their day-to-day lives.
While brands are jumping on the bandwagon and utilising them to push their products.
But, who gets paid the most per post? Data analysts Gracenote Nielsen have compiled a list of the top 10 at the World Cup, with estimates on how much they make.
10. Marta, Brazil, £10,070
The Brazilian was the first superstar women's footballer and boasts 2.6 million followers.
This will remarkably be Marta's sixth World Cup and probably last at the age of 37.
She has scored at her first five tournaments, and if she manages to score in her sixth she will create history as the first player to do so.
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As Brazil's record scorer with 115 strikes, you wouldn't bank against it.
9. Jule Brand, Germany, £11,397
2022 Euros runner-up Brand is a growing social media star.
She boasts over 200,000 followers and engages her audience with snaps of holidays in Greece and paid partnerships with brands including Sony Pictures.
The 20-year-old also has plenty of time for growth and has been given the tag 'Future of German Football'.
She reportedly earns £11,397 per Instagram post.
8. Megan Rapinoe, £12,998
Long-serving American star Rapinoe is one of the most famous sports stars in the States.
Outspoken, she has won the Women's Ballon d'Or, won a gold medal at the 2012 Olympics and two World Cups.
Away from the pitch, the 37-year-old Californian is an advocate for numerous LGBTQIA+ organisations, including the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) and Athlete Ally.
Despite her standing, she is worth just £12,998 per post.
7. Alessia Russo, £14,016
Famous for her stunning back-heel goal for England against Sweden that was nominated for a Puskas Award in 2022, Russo is the Lionesses' threat upfront.
The forward, who just completed a move to Arsenal, is one of football's fashionistas.
She appeared on the cover of Women's Health, while she is also sponsored by Beats by Dre, PlayStation, and showed off Adidas' exclusive Gucci collaboration on social media.
At 24 she has plenty of room for growth - and is making around £14,016 per post.
6. Sam Kerr, £17,776
Chelsea and Australia star Kerr is one of the world's most lethal strikers.
She was voted 2022 PFA Player of the Season, and has cleaned up trophy-wise - winning four WSL titles, three FA Cups, two League Cups and two Cup of Nations.
Her stock is high - with a reach of 1.2 million followers on Instagram, who she shows off her glam life too, including eating out at fancy French restaurant Bagatelle in London.
For that reason, high-end brands including IWC watches offer her paid partnerships - netting the goal-getter around £17,776 a pop.
5. Sakina Karchaoui, £23,238
France footballer Karchaoui is sponsored by Nike, has a deal with Xbox and models for Pandora jewellery.
The 27-year-old PSG star has 723,000 followers on Instagram.
On the pitch she was crucial for her country getting to the semi-finals of the Euros.
Off it, she is a role model for Arabic sports women.
She can make around £23,238 per Instagram post.
4. Alex Morgan, USA, £43,752
Perhaps the most famous female footballer on the planet, American Morgan, now 34, transcended her sport.
She has appeared in Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit edition three times.
The FIFA video game put her on their cover for their 2015 game in the States alongside Lionel Messi.
With 121 goals for her country, she is one of the USA's most famous footballers which is backed up by her 10 million plus Instagram followers.
3. Jordyn Huitema, £59,836
22-year-old Canadian Huitema already has a staggering 1.6million followers. Impressive for an up and comer.
She is endorsed by Nike, and is in a sports power couple - dating Seattle Mariners baseball star Julio Rodriguez.
Already an Olympic champion, she has seemingly been around for years after making her international debut at 15.
Astonishingly, given her tender years, she makes nigh on £60,000 per Instagram post.
2. Alexia Putellas, £88,853
Europe's best player, Spain and Barcelona ace Putellas boasts 2.8million followers on Instagram.
She was awarded the Ballon d'Or and Fifa's Best Women's Player award in both 2021 and 2022.
It is believed each post she shares receives 336,000 engagements.
For that she coins in £88,853 every time, which is amazing given she's been injured for the past 12 months. However, she will be back in time for the World Cup.
1. Alisha Lehmann, £241,314
The Switzerland and Aston Villa forward is now the biggest commercial star in women's football.
Lehmann has the most followers on Instagram - over 13 million.
She is so popular she even has more followers than Roger Federer - making her the most followed Swiss sports star on the platform.
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Lehmann shares her adventures, travels, bikini photos and enviable lifestyle with her fanbase, although she had to tell her mum to ignore comments on her posts because of internet trolls.
Astonishingly, it is estimated her branded posts are worth as much as £241,314 to her.
