Ballon d'Or Feminin: Who will end Bonmati's dominance?

Ballon d'Or Feminin Power Rankings GFX

Aitana Bonmati has won each of the last three Ballons d'Or Feminin - but the accolade will go to someone else in 2026. Will it be two-time winner and fellow Barcelona star Alexia Putellas who reasserts herself as the best player in the women's game? Or could there be a new name on the honour roll when the Golden Ball is handed out in Paris in October?

Unfortunately, a fractured fibula, which required surgery, has kept Bonmati on the sidelines since November. The midfielder has recently returned to training, so could still have a part to play this season, but not one that will clinch her a fourth Ballon d'Or. There are a lot of other stars who have been nominated for this award in years past who have missed significant time this term, too, be it more Barca stars, like Patri Guijarro and Mapi Leon, or talismanic talents such as Lauren James and Barbra Banda, thus muddying the picture a little more.

Adding to the intrigue is the fact that this is not a World Cup year in women's football. As such, the final few weeks of the current European season will have a massive say in who gets on the podium in the battle for the 2026 Ballon d'Or Feminin. The latter stages of the Women's Champions League will be a key part of that, making this week's semi-finals all the more interesting.

So, who has put themselves in contention for this year's Ballon d'Or Feminin with their performances so far this season? GOAL runs through the likeliest winners of the Golden Ball as the Champions League heats up...

Previous update: March 23

Manchester City v Chelsea FC - Barclays Women's Super League

Vivianne Miedema (Manchester City) ↔️

In 2025-26: 13 goals, five assists.

An unfortunate spell of injuries mean it's been a while since Vivianne Miedema was last nominated for the Ballon d'Or, with her absent from the final list since finishing 11th in 2022. But the Dutchwoman is widely regarded as one of the best players on the planet and, this season, she is reminding everyone just why she recorded back-to-back top-five finishes in the Ballon d'Or voting in the two awards that preceded 2022, by playing a key role in a campaign that looks set to deliver Manchester City's first Women's Super League title in 10 years.

Only two players have scored more goals in the English top-flight this season than Miedema, who also ranks second for assists and for combined direct goal contributions. City's lack of European football will hurt her case for matching some of the higher-ranked finishes she's had in the Ballon d'Or before, but the forward should still earn herself a nomination in her first injury-free season for a while.

Georgia Stanway Bayern Munich Women 2025-26

Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich) ⬇️

In 2025-26: 15 goals, 12 assists. Won Bundesliga & DFB-Supercup.

While women's stars in Germany can struggle for more global recognition at times, there are a few exceptions. As a two-time European champion with England and a World Cup finalist, Georgia Stanway is one of those big names, and the Bayern Munich star is having herself a wonderful season.

Despite playing a more defensive midfield role with her club this term, she ranks joint-sixth for direct goal involvements in the Bundesliga, with six goals and nine assists from 21 outings in that deeper position. She's carried that form into the international breaks, too, with eight goals and three assists for England so far this season.

Bayern have already won two trophies and are still in the mix for three more, with a massive Champions League semi-final tie against Barca starting this week. In her final season at the club, ahead of a protracted move to Arsenal, Stanway will be a key player as Bayern look to improve after the 7-1 drubbing the Catalans dealt them back in October.

Yui Hasegawa Man City Women 2025-26

Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City) ⬇️

In 2025-26: Six goals, four assists. Won Asian Cup.

Nominated in 2023 and 2024, Yui Hasegawa should be on the longlist again in 2026 as she has been the heartbeat of a Man City team which has taken the WSL by storm this season. Playing in a brilliant double-pivot midfield with England youngster Laura Blindkilde Brown, Hasegawa has been given more license to get forward this term and that has resulted in more goal contributions, which will only aid her cause further.

That Hasegawa was a key player in Japan's Asian Cup triumph adds to her credentials in a big way, putting another trophy on her resumé alongside a WSL title that City are well on track to lift in a few weeks' time. A lack of involvement in the Champions League will hurt her case, though adding more silverware in the FA Cup would be a real boost. City face Chelsea in the semi-finals of that competition next month.

Temwa Chawinga

Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current) ⬇️

In 2025-26: Nine goals, three assist. Won NWSL Golden Boot.

It's always difficult to know how NWSL stars will be regarded in the Ballon d'Or voting as the league's schedule does not align with the award's own parameters in terms of dates and cut-off points. Last year, there were just three NWSL stars nominated, and the presence of both Marta and Esther Gonzalez was more down to their major tournament exploits, with Marta awarded the Golden Ball after helping Brazil win Copa America while Gonzalez top-scored at Euro 2025 as Spain reached the final.

Temwa Chawinga's nomination, however, was rooted in her outstanding NWSL form. In the 2024 season, for which the final few months were relevant for the Ballon d'Or, Chawinga won the Golden Boot and Most Valuable Player awards. In the 2025 season, she once again collected both accolades while also helping the Kansas City Current win the NWSL Shield.

As such, the forward should be respected again in the Ballon d'Or voting, and she will have further opportunity to add to her credentials in the summer, as Malawi make their debut at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations.

FC Bayern München v Real Madrid CF - Women's Pre-Seaso Friendly

Klara Buhl (Bayern Munich) ⬇️

In 2025-26: 10 goals, 21 assists. Won Bundesliga & DFB-Supercup.

Again, players in Germany can be overlooked in the voting for this award, but Klara Buhl's incredible numbers clearly cut through last year and she's been excellent this time around, too. The flying winger has already matched her number of goals and surpassed her assists in the Bundesliga from last year. Her Champions League numbers are way up, too, with a remarkable eight assists in six games so far.

Hampering Buhl's case has been a muscle injury that kept her on the sidelines for the two months. Fortunately, the Germany international made her comeback as Bayern beat Union Berlin to win the Bundesliga on Wednesday, assisting the winning goal after coming off the bench. That's a massive boost for her team ahead of the Champions League semi-final clash with Barca and a nice lift for her chances of ranking well in the Ballon d'Or voting again.

Patri Guijarro Barcelona Women 2025-26

Patri Guijarro (Barcelona) 🆕

In 2025-26: Three goals, seven assists. Won Liga F & Supercopa de Espana.

After missing over two months due to a broken bone in her foot, forcing her to watch from afar as Spain won the Nations League, Patri Guijarro has been back with a bang in 2026. Her importance at Barcelona has been evident since, with the team's level undoubtedly rising upon her return to a degree that her time on the sidelines should not prevent her from receiving another inclusion on the Ballon d'Or longlist.

Previously finishing as high as sixth in the voting for this award, how high Guijarro places in 2026 will likely depend on how Barca end this season. If she can play a starring role in the high-profile matches, starting with this weekend's Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich, it should serve as a reminder to voters that she is in contention once again.

Caroline Graham Hansen Barcelona Women 2025-26

Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona) ⬆️

In 2025-26: 14 goals, 14 assists. Won Liga F & Supercopa de Espana.

There are several factors at play when it comes to the Ballon d'Or Feminin. Of course, the performances and statistics of each individual are a major one, especially on the biggest stages, as is winning silverware. But it would be naive not to note the importance of name recognition when it comes to this award, too.

There have been many strange omissions over the years, with stars in the relatively lower-profile Bundesliga often overlooked, for example, while Barcelona maestro Caroline Graham Hansen had to wait until 2024 for her first nomination. However, the Norway international has broken through that glass ceiling now and should be in the mix again in 2026.

Only two players have more direct goal involvements in Liga F this season than Graham Hansen, who leads the division for assists, and with Barca in contention for another two trophies, having already won two, the flying winger has the platform to showcase her qualities and put forth her case for another lofty finish in the Ballon d'Or voting. She did exactly that in the three games with Real Madrid last month, providing two goals and three assists as Barca beat their biggest rivals three times to qualify for the UWCL semis and extend their lead over in the league standings. More of that will rocket her up this ranking.

Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur - Barclays Women's Super League

Khadija Shaw (Manchester City) ⬆️

In 2025-26: 33 goals, eight assists.

While her case for the Golden Ball will likely be limited by a lack of European football, Khadija Shaw should rack up plenty of Ballon d'Or votes later this year because of a fantastic season in front of goal that looks set to propel Man City to a first WSL title in 10 years. Shaw has 18 goals in 19 league games this term, six more than anyone else in the division, and she's also added four assists to make her the most productive forward in the WSL by some distance.

If City see out their title bid successfully, as many expect, she will certainly be among the nominees, and if she can help fire them to further success in the FA Cup, that would likely go a long way towards moving her up these rankings. Shaw has also been on fire for Jamaica, scoring nine goals in qualifying for the CONCACAF W Championship, where there are World Cup spots up for grabs. Helping her nation to punch their ticket to next summer's tournament in Brazil would only strengthen her case. 

Arsenal v Liverpool - Barclays Women's Super League

Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal) ⬇️

In 2025-26: Six goals, four assists. Won UEFA Nations League and FIFA Women's Champions Cup.

After finishing second in the Ballon d'Or voting last year, could Mariona Caldentey clinch the Golden Ball this time around? The Spain international certainly remains influential at Arsenal this season and she has already helped them clinch one title, at the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup.

Caldentey's attacking numbers are down on last year, both domestically and in the Champions League, due to the deeper role she's been asked to play more consistently at club level, and that is likely to have an impact on her chances. However, with the latter stages of the Gunners' European title defence coming up and other opportunities for silverware looming, that could all still change.

FC Bayern München v Arsenal FC - UEFA Women's Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD3

Pernille Harder (Bayern Munich) ⬆️

In 2025-26: 28 goals, 10 assists. Won Bundesliga & DFB-Supercup.

After ranking second in the first-ever Ballon d'Or Feminin vote back in 2018, Pernille Harder is still going incredibly strong in 2026. The Denmark international likely would have a Golden Ball on her mantlepiece had the accolade been dished out in 2020 and she remains highly thought of by voters, ranking 20th last year despite her Denmark side crashing out in the group stages of Euro 2025 without a point to their name.

That was off the back of a terrific treble-winning campaign with Bayern Munich and the Bavarians are well on track for similar success this time around, all while Harder is producing numbers that have already eclipsed those of last year. Throw in the star role she played in Bayern's Champions League quarter-final triumph over Manchester United, plus how she has helped put an understandably unfancied Denmark in pole position to qualify automatically for next summer's World Cup, and Harder could be on for her best ranking in the Ballon d'Or in several years.

FC Barcelona v FC Bayern München - UEFA Women's Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1

Claudia Pina (Barcelona) ⬇️

In 2025-26: 25 goals, nine assists. Won UEFA Nations League, Liga F & Supercopa de Espana.

Claudia Pina is having herself a brilliant season. She leads the race for the Golden Boot in Liga F and has been one of the most prolific forwards on the continent all season, to the benefit of both Spain, who she helped win the Nations League, and Barca, who remain in the mix for a quadruple.

Having endured a little dip in that productivity in recent weeks, rediscovering it in the latter stages of this campaign will be vital. Pina was excellent at grabbing the attention on the big stages last year, helping her to rank 11th in the 2025 Ballon d'Or voting. She couldn't quite do that in the quarter-final tie against Real Madrid, where others took centre stage, but there is another big opportunity to show why she should be a serious Golden Ball contender this week, in the semi-final clash with Bayern.

Arsenal FC v OL Lyonnes - UEFA Women's Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1

Melchie Dumornay (Lyon) ⬇️

In 2025-26: 14 goals, 11 assists. Won Coupe de la Ligue.

It'd be a huge surprise if Melchie Dumornay doesn't win the Ballon d'Or at some point, she is just that good. It's a point she has proved time and time again with her performances for Lyon this season, in which she has regularly stood out as the best player on the pitch.

After scoring at a remarkable rate last year, Dumornay is assisting goals more regularly this time around, but she is still finding the back of the net in big moments - and in spectacular fashion. That was the case when Lyon met PSG in the Coupe de la Ligue final, as her wonderful hit proved to be the only goal in the game to deliver what OL will hope is the first of four pieces of silverware this season.

Lyon are going well in the Champions League, too. If that continues, Dumornay will likely be at the heart of their success and, as a result, should rise up the Ballon d'Or rankings as well.

Arsenal v Brighton & Hove Albion - Barclays Women's Super League

Alessia Russo (Arsenal) ⬆️

In 2025-26: 24 goals, seven assists. Won FIFA Women's Champions Cup.

Last year, Alessia Russo finished third in the Ballon d'Or voting. This time around, on an individual basis, she's having an even better season. Could she be the one to make the leap and win the Golden Ball?

It must be said that the role Russo played in England's successful European title defence and Arsenal's Champions League triumph both contributed to her lofty finish in the voting, so the Gunners will likely need to finish the season strongly for her to be in contention again, given they appear unlikely to win the league. That's not out of the question given Arsenal's European success last term, though, and especially not given the rate at which Russo is scoring.

She heads into this weekend's semi-final clash with Lyon having netted 11 times in her last 13 games for club and country, hoping to pose problems for a team she played a key role in knocking out at this very stage of last season's Champions League.

FC Barcelona v FC Bayern München - UEFA Women's Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD1

Ewa Pajor (Barcelona) ⬆️

In 2025-26: 29 goals, four assists. Won Supercopa de Espana and Liga F.

Ewa Pajor continues to put up eye-watering numbers in front of goal and her role in Barcelona's strong season on four fronts should see her return to the Ballon d'Or shortlist this year, after a very successful showing in 2025. Last time around, the Poland international collected the Gerd Muller Trophy for her goal-scoring exploits and also ranked eighth in the voting for the main award. It feels very likely that she will come in even higher this term.

Pajor is scoring at a similar rate to that of last season, giving her a nice foundation as some huge, title-deciding games for Barca loom. With the form she is in, it would not be a surprise if she is a decisive figure in those fixtures.

TOPSHOT-FBL-EUR-C1-WOMEN-BARCELONA-BAYERN MUNICH

Alexia Putellas (Barcelona) ↔️

In 2025-26: 20 goals, 11 assists. Won UEFA Women's Nations League, Liga F & Supercopa de Espana.

For many, Alexia Putellas would have been a deserving winner of the 2025 Ballon d'Or Feminin. The Barcelona star looked arguably better than ever last season, putting some tough years of injury behind her to produce an other-worldly level as the Catalans won a domestic treble and reached the Champions League final.

Putellas has only carried that into this season, where the weight of expectation has been on her shoulders even more at times, amid injuries in the midfield to Guijarro and Bonmati. The two-time Ballon d'Or winner has excelled in helping younger players around her step up to fill the absences of big names, while still producing a very impressive return of goals and assists that has helped both Spain and Barca to success.

Right now, given her consistently world-class level, the track record she has in the Golden Ball voting and Barca's status as perhaps the most dangerous team in Europe, Putellas feels like the front-runner for the 2026 Ballon d'Or Feminin.