France-based Malawian women’s football star Tabitha Chawinga and teammate Marie-Antoinette Katoto lead Arkema Première Ligue earnings, underscoring OL Lyonnes’ financial dominance.
According to L’Équipe, the Scorchers captain who plays for Lyonnes and the French internationl earn 75 000 euros (about K160 million) each a month excluding other entitlements.
“Women’s football in France keeps expanding with average club salaries rising about 15 percent over recent years. Eight teams now average at least 3 000 euros, up from three two years ago,” reads the article.
It says Lyon’s push has accelerated star pay. Seven players now earn 50 000 euros a month or more, when only Katoto did in 2023. She received a 25 percent rise after leaving PSG for OL Lyonnes last summer.
Kadidiatou Diani, Wendie Renard and Ada Hegerberg are on 60 000 euros. Selma Bacha and Olga Carmona earn 50 000 euros.
Griedge Mbock and Sakina Karchaoui receive 40 000 euros. Elisa De Almeida and Mary Earps are on 30 000 euros.
Average monthly salaries by club are led by OL Lyonnes on 20 000 euros, ahead of PSG on 13 000 euros.
Paris FC sit at 4 200 euros, with Fleury and Marseille at 3 300 euros and Nantes at 3 275 euros. Strasbourg and Saint- Etienne each reach 3 000 euros, while Montpellier are on 2 450 euros and Lens, Le Havre and Dijon are at 2 300 euros.
Tabitha hogged the limelight in Europe when she became the first African to win the Italian Women’s Serie A golden boot with 23 goals while on loan at Inter Milan during the 2022/23 season.
The following season, she won the French women’s top-flight league golden boot and the Most Valuable Player while on loan at PSG, a feat that earned her nomination for the Women’s Ballon d’Or in 2024.
The Scorchers captain could not be reached for comment on Friday.
