Ballon d'Or Feminin 2026 Power Rankings: Alexia Putellas Leads the Race

Aitana Bonmati claimed the last three Ballon d'Or Feminin awards, but an injury-ridden season means the 2026 trophy will find a new owner. The ceremony in London this Monday will likely crown either Alexia Putellas, the two-time winner and fellow Barcelona star, or introduce a fresh name to the list of honorees.

Bonmati fractured her fibula last November, requiring surgery that sidelined her until May. Although she returned to contribute as Barcelona clinched a historic quadruple—capping it with a Champions League final win over Lyon—her absence from much of the season kept her off the 2026 Ballon d'Or nomination list.

This year’s award focuses mainly on club performances during the 2025-26 season, as no Women's World Cup took place and the Africa Cup of Nations results do not count toward voting. The Asian Cup, won by Japan in March, remains an exception.

Top Contenders for the 2026 Award

Cata Coll (Barcelona): 23 clean sheets, UEFA Nations League, Champions League, Liga F, Supercopa de España, Copa de la Reina wins. Coll made crucial saves in the 4-0 Champions League final victory over Lyon, proving her value in key moments despite often facing little action.
Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal): Seven goals, five assists, UEFA Nations League, FIFA Women’s Champions Cup titles. Her deeper midfield role saw fewer goals this season, and Arsenal’s Champions League exit at the semis limits her chances despite previous runner-up status.
Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City): 14 goals, five assists, Women’s Super League and FA Cup winner. After years of injuries, Miedema enjoyed an injury-free season, helping City secure their first league title in a decade and shining in the FA Cup final.
Claudia Pina (Barcelona): 32 goals, nine assists, UEFA Nations League, Champions League, Liga F, Supercopa de España, Copa de la Reina victories. Despite a strong scoring season, Pina faded in the Champions League knockout rounds and Clasico against Real Madrid.
Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current): 18 goals, four assists, NWSL Shield and Golden Boot. Dominated the NWSL with back-to-back MVP and Golden Boot awards and helped Kansas City secure the Shield, though her Africa Cup of Nations feats fall outside the voting window.
Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City): Six goals, five assists, Asian Cup, WSL, and FA Cup winner. Hasegawa was pivotal in City’s midfield and Japan’s Asian Cup success, contributing significantly to their dominant season.
Klara Buhl (Bayern Munich): 10 goals, 22 assists, Bundesliga, DFB-Supercup, DFB-Pokal winner. Despite a muscle injury keeping her out for two months, Buhl excelled with high assist numbers and helped Bayern claim another treble.
Alessia Russo (Arsenal): 29 goals, 10 assists, FIFA Women’s Champions Cup winner. Russo’s individual stats improved, but Arsenal’s failure to retain major trophies this season may limit her Ballon d'Or support.
Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona): 18 goals, 16 assists, Champions League, Liga F, Supercopa de España, Copa de la Reina winner. Leading the league in assists, Hansen had several standout Champions League performances, cementing her place among top contenders.
Patri Guijarro (Barcelona): Four goals, 10 assists, Champions League, Liga F, Supercopa de España, Copa de la Reina winner. Returned strongly after a foot injury with key contributions including an assist in the Champions League final.
Pernille Harder (Bayern Munich): 34 goals, 14 assists, Bundesliga, DFB-Supercup, DFB-Pokal winner. Harder maintained her elite level, delivering impressive numbers and crucial performances in Bayern’s Champions League run and Denmark’s World Cup qualification.
Khadija Shaw (Manchester City): 39 goals, nine assists, WSL and FA Cup winner. Shaw was the top scorer in the league by a wide margin and shone in the FA Cup, though City's lack of European football could affect her ranking.
Melchie Dumornay (Lyon): 22 goals, 12 assists, Premiere Ligue, Coupe de la Ligue, Coupe de France winner. Dumornay was decisive in finals and scored a hat-trick to clinch the league, also playing a starring role in Lyon’s Champions League journey.
Ewa Pajor (Barcelona): 33 goals, seven assists, Champions League, Liga F, Supercopa de España, Copa de la Reina winner. Pajor scored in every Champions League knockout match, including two goals in the final, following her 2025 Gerd Muller Trophy-winning season.
Alexia Putellas (London City Lionesses): 24 goals, 13 assists, UEFA Women’s Nations League, Champions League, Liga F, Supercopa de España, Copa de la Reina winner. Putellas continued her exceptional form, guiding Barcelona through a quadruple-winning campaign and earning early accolades like Champions League Player of the Season, making her the frontrunner for 2026.