The Road to Records: Cat Macario Signs Record-Breaking NWSL Contract

By: Gabby Miller

April 7, 2026

Photo Credit: NWSL

As of Monday, March 16th, Catarina Cantanhede Melônio Macário, better known as Cat Macario, signed what is assumed to be the largest total contract value in women’s soccer history. Signing with San Diego Wave FC in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), this record-breaking contract was worth roughly $8 million.

Just before this contract was signed, the previous largest total contract value in women’s soccer belonged to Trinity Rodman. Rodman signed a record-breaking three-year contract extension in January 2026 with the Washington Spirit. This deal was valued at over $2 million per year, including bonuses, making her the highest-paid woman in soccer history. Well, that is until Monday, March 16th.

Rodman and Macario are widely considered two of the best young talents in women’s soccer. These two top-tier ball carriers signed record-setting contracts using the NWSL’s High Impact Player rule, a roster mechanism allowing teams to spend up to $1 million above the league’s $3.7 million salary cap to pay salary for top-tier stars. Although these two are on different NWSL teams, these two do have experience playing together. Back in 2022, the two were teammates for the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT). Most notably, on April 12, 2022, these two played together, both tallying goals in a 9-0 victory over Uzbekistan.

While both players have played pivotal roles in reshaping the NWSL’s salary landscape, it is Macario’s unique style of play that helps explain why her deal stands out. Macario is a world-class, creative attacking midfielder and forward. She is known for her exceptional technical ability, composure in the final third, and exemplary field vision.

That elite skillset and distinguishable playstyle didn’t develop overnight. It is the result of a journey that began long before her rise to global prominence. Macario has played soccer her whole life. She started playing on boys’ teams in Brazil before moving to the U.S. at the age of 12 to pursue a professional career. After the move, she played for the San Diego Surf, which is a part of the Elite Club National League (ECNL). During her time with the San Diego Surf, she quickly became a standout youth player, scoring 165 goals. She then played collegiate for Stanford University where she was nothing short of successful. Here she won two NCAA Championships (2017, 2019) and won the MAC Hermann Trophy twice (2018, 2019).

However, in late 2020, she had one of her biggest steps in her soccer career: she became a U.S. citizen, becoming eligible for the USWNT shortly after. To Macario, the opportunity to represent the United States was a dream come true. On January 18, 2021, Macario made her USNWT debut as the first naturalized citizen to play for the USWNT. It didn’t take long for her to find her place on the USNWT, as she eventually found herself leading the USNWT in scoring in 2025 with eight goals in ten games. Macario doubled the USNWT’s most prolific scorers, was a bronze medalist in the 2020 Olympics, and was recognized as the SheBelieves Cup winner, quickly showing why she has the record breaking contract deal.

After becoming a U.S. citizen and before her time with the USWNT, she also played for Lyon in France as her first professional contract. With Lyon, she secured the 2021-2022 Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) Women’s Champions League, 2021-2022 French Division 1 Féminine title, tallied 23 goals in 33 games, and was the first American to score in a Champions League final. Despite her success with Lyon and the USWNT, she suffered a torn ACL in 2022 that prevented her from playing for over a year. In 2023, she joined Chelsea FC on a three-year deal, and on her return to play, she scored on her debut with the English club in March 2024. Yet again, Macario rapidly found success with Chelsea despite her injury, winning back-to-back Women’s Super League titles, the FA Cup (Football Association Challenge Cup), and the League Cup with Chelsea.

Several goals and record-breaking accolades later, that leads us back to the moment where her journey, resilience, and elite performance culminate in a historic, record-setting contract in the NWSL. Macario’s record-breaking contract represents far more than a milestone for one player. It signals a larger shift in the landscape of women’s sports. As investment in leagues like the NWSL continues to grow, so does the recognition of the value, talent, and marketability of female athletes. Deals like this not only reward elite performance, but also set new standards for what is possible, creating momentum for future players to negotiate higher salaries and greater opportunities. In many ways, Macario’s contract is both a reflection of how far the game has come and a preview of where it is headed.

As she prepares to wear the No. 20 for San Diego Wave FC this season, all eyes will be on Macario to see how she continues to elevate the game. But if her journey so far is any indication, she won’t just live up to the moment. She’ll redefine it. From record-breaking contracts to game-changing performances, Macario is not only making history. She is helping shape the future of women’s soccer.