Alisha Lehmann is a highly talented Swiss professional footballer who has carved out a distinguished career as a forward for Italian Serie A club Como and the Switzerland national team. Renowned for her blistering pace, exceptional dribbling skills, and clinical finishing, she has become one of the most recognizable figures in women’s football. Beyond her on-pitch prowess, Lehmann has amassed a colossal social media following, making her the most-followed female footballer in the world on platforms like Instagram. This has transformed her into a global icon and a powerful brand ambassador for major companies. Her journey from a small Swiss village to international stardom is a testament to her dedication, skill, and unique ability to connect with fans both through her athletic achievements and her engaging online presence.
Alisha Lehmann Overview
| Full Name | Alisha Debora Lehmann |
| Date of Birth | January 21, 1999 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 26 |
| Birthplace | Tägertschi, Switzerland |
| Profession | Professional Footballer |
| Husband/Wife | Not publicly available |
| Family | Sarah Guggisberg (Mother), Jens Gerhard Lehmann (Father), Shona Lehmann (Sister), Marco Lehmann (Brother) |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Douglas Luiz |
| Net Worth | Approximately $2.5 million |
Early Life and Education of Alisha Lehmann
Alisha Lehmann was born in Tägertschi, a small municipality in Switzerland, on January 21, 1999. Her passion for football ignited at a very young age, reportedly around five years old, inspired by playing with her brother and cousins. Growing up in a sports-oriented family provided a supportive environment for her burgeoning talent. She began her formal football journey at the age of nine with the local club FC Konolfingen, where she played from 2008 to 2011. Recognizing her exceptional potential, she joined the youth academy of BSC Young Boys Frauen at the age of 12. During her development, she frequently trained and even competed with the boys’ youth teams, an experience that undoubtedly sharpened her skills and resilience. This early exposure to a highly competitive environment was crucial in honing the speed and technical ability that would later define her professional career. While details about her formal academic education are not extensively publicized, her primary focus from a young age was clearly on developing her football career, attending institutions like the Feuzi Bildungszentrum in Bern that could accommodate her training schedule.
Alisha Lehmann’s Career
Alisha Lehmann’s professional career began at the age of 17 with the senior team of BSC YB Frauen in her native Switzerland. She quickly made an impact, scoring 25 goals in 52 league appearances and showcasing the prolific scoring ability that would become her trademark. Her impressive performances on the domestic stage and for the Swiss youth national teams did not go unnoticed. In August 2018, Lehmann made a pivotal move to the FA Women’s Super League (WSL) in England, signing with West Ham United. The manager at the time, Matt Beard, was reportedly impressed by her skills during the 2018 UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship. At West Ham, she continued to flourish, scoring nine goals across all competitions in her first season and playing a key role in the team’s journey to the Women’s FA Cup final, notably scoring the equalizing goal in the semi-final.
In January 2021, Lehmann joined Everton on loan for the remainder of the season to gain further experience in the highly competitive WSL. Following her loan spell, she made a permanent move to Aston Villa for the 2021–22 season. Her time at Villa was highly successful; she became a fan favorite and was named the Women’s Supporters’ Player of the Season for 2021–22. Over her tenure with the club, she made 58 appearances and scored nine goals, cementing her reputation as a dynamic and impactful forward. Her international career with the Switzerland national team has been equally significant. After representing her country at various youth levels, she earned her first senior cap in October 2017. She has since become a key player for the national side, participating in major tournaments including the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the UEFA Women’s European Championship. In July 2024, Lehmann embarked on a new chapter in her career, signing with Italian giants Juventus, before moving to fellow Serie A club Como in August 2025 on a three-year contract.
Alisha Lehmann Personal Life & Family
Alisha Lehmann is known for being open about her personal life. She is openly bisexual and has been in high-profile relationships with both male and female professional footballers. She was previously in a relationship with fellow Swiss national teammate Ramona Bachmann. Their relationship was featured in the BBC Three documentary “Britain’s Youngest Football Boss,” which offered a glimpse into their lives as professional athletes. Following her split from Bachmann, Lehmann began a relationship with Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz, who played for the men’s team at Aston Villa while she was at the club. The couple’s relationship has been a subject of public interest, and they made headlines in 2024 with a historic “couples transfer” when both signed for Juventus’ men’s and women’s teams respectively within days of each other. They have since rekindled their relationship after a reported split. Lehmann maintains a close bond with her family. She often shares pictures with her mother, Sarah Guggisberg, her father, Jens Gerhard Lehmann, and her siblings, a sister named Shona and a brother named Marco, on her social media, highlighting their supportive role in her life and career.
Awards and Achievements of Alisha Lehmann
- Reached the FA Cup Final with West Ham United (2018-2019).
- Named Aston Villa Women’s Supporters’ Player of the Season (2021-2022).
- Reached the final of the UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship with Switzerland (2015).
Alisha Lehmann Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Alisha Lehmann’s net worth is estimated to be around $2.5 million. Her income is derived from multiple sources, primarily her professional football contracts. While at Aston Villa, her annual salary was reported to be approximately $200,000. Her subsequent moves to top-tier Italian clubs Juventus and Como are expected to involve competitive salaries. A significant and ever-growing portion of her earnings comes from her massive social media influence. As the most-followed female footballer on Instagram, she commands substantial fees for sponsored posts and brand endorsements. She has secured lucrative deals with major global brands, including Adidas, Coca-Cola, EA Sports, and the popular beverage brand Prime, co-founded by Logan Paul and KSI. Her deal with Prime alone was reportedly worth over £900,000. This combination of a successful playing career and unparalleled social media stardom makes her one of the most commercially valuable athletes in women’s football.
Legacy and Influence
Alisha Lehmann’s legacy extends far beyond her accomplishments on the football pitch. She has become a transformative figure in women’s sports, demonstrating the power of combining athletic excellence with a strong personal brand. With an Instagram following that surpasses many male football superstars and even sporting legends like Roger Federer, she has broken new ground in athlete marketing and fan engagement. This has not only brought unprecedented attention to her own career but has also significantly raised the profile of women’s football globally. Lehmann is an inspiration for many young, aspiring female athletes, showing that they can be both fierce competitors and multifaceted individuals. She is also an advocate for LGBTQ+ visibility in sports, having been open about her bisexuality and her past relationships, contributing to a more inclusive and accepting environment within the football community. While some critics have suggested her social media focus overshadows her football, Lehmann has consistently maintained that her primary identity is that of a dedicated footballer, using her platform to bring more eyes to the women’s game.
Interesting Facts about Alisha Lehmann
- She is the most-followed female footballer in the world on Instagram, with over 16 million followers.
- Her love for football began at the age of five while playing with her male cousins and brother.
- During her youth development at BSC YB Frauen, she trained with the boys’ teams three times a week.
- She is an open member of the LGBTQ+ community and is a vocal advocate for acceptance in sports.
- In 2024, she and her partner Douglas Luiz completed what was dubbed the first-ever “couples transfer” when they both moved from Aston Villa to Juventus.
- She was the first female athlete to be sponsored by Logan Paul and KSI’s popular beverage company, Prime.
- Lehmann has several tattoos, including the number “99” (her birth year) and the phrase “BE BRAVE” on her neck.
- In 2024, it was announced she would manage a team in the new Baller League UK, a six-a-side football league.
Controversies
Alisha Lehmann’s career has been largely free of major controversies, though her high-profile status and massive social media presence have occasionally placed her under intense scrutiny. Some discussions have revolved around whether her off-pitch activities and modelling overshadow her identity as a professional footballer. Lehmann has addressed this, stating that she is a footballer first and that her feminine presentation and online presence do not detract from her commitment to the sport. In late 2022, her then-boyfriend Douglas Luiz publicly defended her against a Brazilian TV host who posted a video that was widely seen as objectifying her during a goal celebration. The host later deleted the post. Additionally, her reported brief breakup with Luiz in 2022 was rumored to be connected to disagreements over a calendar photoshoot she participated in, though these reports remain largely speculative.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram – Over 16.7 million followers
- Twitter – Over 196,000 followers
- YouTube – Information not disclosed
- TikTok – Over 10.5 million followers
Final Words about Alisha Lehmann
Alisha Lehmann represents a new era of professional athlete—one who is not only a force in her sport but also a master of her own brand and a global influencer. Her journey from the Swiss leagues to the top tiers of women’s football in England and Italy demonstrates a relentless drive and undeniable talent. As a key player for both her club, Como, and the Swiss national team, she continues to compete at the highest level. Simultaneously, she has built a digital empire, leveraging her personality and platform to bring unprecedented mainstream attention to the women’s game. Her ability to navigate the pressures of being a top-level athlete and a social media phenomenon is remarkable. Looking forward, Alisha Lehmann’s influence is set to grow even further, both through her on-pitch achievements and her continued presence as a powerful and authentic voice in the world of sports and beyond. She is not just a footballer; she is a cultural icon who is redefining what it means to be a female athlete in the 21st century.