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The South African women’s national soccer squad taking on Italy in a nail-biting match this morning has got us a-buzz all over about this year’s Women’s World Cup.

With these talented ladies in the well-deserved spotlight, Forbes has released an in-depth article spilling all the tea surrounding the top earning players competing in the international competition this year.

While we wish we could say that South African stars are featured on the list, it’s clear that the US team is raking it in, with four out of the five top earners hailing from the States.

Coming in at first place, we have superstar US forward player, Alex Morgan, who earns a whopping R130.5 million. The 34-year-old has clearly secured the bag at this point; I guess starring in a Super Bowl commercial is a sure-fire way to bring in the bucks.

Arguably the most internationally famous women’s soccer player, it’s no surprise that fan-favourite Megan Rapinoe joins the top earner list in second place, boasting earnings of just over R138 million.

The US forward is not only a brilliant menace on the field, but is also a vocal advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights. The 38-year-old and her long-time partner Sue bird, who is an American Women’s Basketball Association legend, are giving mega power couple vibes.

Spanish superstar midfielder Alexia Putellas makes her way onto the list in third place, standing out as the only non-US player earning big moolah. The 29-year-old midfielder earns the equivalent of over R73 million. While this is a big drop from Rapinoe’s impressive pay-check in second-place, the young Spaniard is clearly one to watch.

Putella has been the winner of the 2021 and 2022 Ballon d’Or Féminin as the world’s best women’s soccer player and shows no signs of slowing or stopping when it comes to football stardom.

Yet another US gal in fourth place, 21-year-old forward Trinity Rodman is the youngest to make it into the top five. The assumption is that her four-year deal with Washington Spirit, which has been dubbed the biggest deal in league history, is one of the many reasons she’s making sizeable amounts of dosh.

It also helps if your dad is NBA superstar and pop culture icon Dennis Rodman. That being said, this young players moves on the field are the only evidence needed as to why she’s banking just over R42 million.

Finally, in fifth place and technically tied with Rodman, we have US defender Crystal Dunn. The 31-year-old has been called “the most versatile player in women’s soccer”, switching between field positions like it ain’t no thang. Earning the same as Rodman, an impressive R42 million, Dunn is back in the business of football after taking time off last year to give birth to her first child.

As the Women’s World Cup moves into knockout stages next week, we look forward to seeing what the South Africa team can do to stay in the running for the big trophy.

Next time, let’s hope some local ladies make it onto the Forbes list – they deserve it!

[source:forbes]