How Trinity Rodman became the world's highest-paid footballer: Know all details here

Trinity Rodman became the highest-paid female footballer, and the world is shocked at how she was able to achieve that level of play.

To clear the air, media outlets and the sports community highlighted her football journey in recent posts.

The Washington Spirit announced on Thursday, January 22, 2026, the end of weeks of uncertainty over the footballing future of Trinity Rodman, whose previous contract with the club had expired on December 31, 2026.

"I knew this was where I wanted to enter the next chapter of my career," the 23-year-old said in a statement. "I'm proud of what we've built since my rookie season, and I'm excited about where this club is headed," said Rodman, adding, "We're chasing championships and raising the standard, and I can't wait to keep doing that with my teammates and the best fans in the National Women's Soccer League NWSL."

The future of Rodman was of great interest to Europe's most successful clubs with the potential to pick up a world-class player in the free market.

Serial Women's Super League winners Chelsea were one of the clubs monitoring her situation and were willing to pounce if the solution for Rodman from the NWSL had fallen through.

It has been an unprecedented situation in the US with the league and Washington Spirit battling through legalities to try to keep one of their best talents.

At the age of 23, Rodman is not the best player in the world, but she has the potential to become that and would undoubtedly be a significant loss to the NWSL had they not managed to keep her.

They have seen USA stars Naomi Girma and Alyssa Thompson leave for Chelsea, and in January midfielder Sam Coffey made a high-profile move to Manchester City.

The NWSL had led the way for many years in women's football, but the WSL and Mexico's Liga MX Femenil are among those now spending big money on player transfer fees and wages.

Barcelona boasts the two players who have scooped the past five Ballon d'Or awards—Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas—but the club has financial strains.

US billionaire and multi-club owner Kang is investing heavily in her clubs—Lyon, Washington, and London City Lionesses—meaning salaries are only going to increase across the global women's football landscape.

Additionally, the football community is eyeing who beats Trinity Rodman next and beats her record as the highest-paid woman in the club.