With Aitana Bonmatí missing from this year’s shortlist, the Ballon d’Or is guaranteed a new winner this autumn.
A handful of names are emerging as frontrunners, with WSL stars Alexia Putellas, Alessia Russo, Mariona Caldentey and Khadija Shaw all in strong contention.
Will Bunny Shaw Win the 2026 Ballon d’Or?
Bunny Shaw is many pundits’ favourite to grab the title.
She enjoyed a brilliant 25/26 WSL season, netting 21 times to claim her third straight WSL Golden Boot and adding the Players’ Player of the Year gong as City lifted their first league crown in ten years.
Former England midfielder Fara Williams thinks she’ll be tough to beat, saying, “It’s only the Barcelona players that can make her fall out of it.”
Could Putellas Carry on Barcelona’s Ballon d’Or legacy?
Alexia Putellas picked up her Ballon d’Or nomination during her farewell season at Barcelona, where she was a critical factor in the club winning the Champions League before her summer move to London City Lionesses.
Mariona Caldentey, who left Barcelona for Arsenal back in 2024, has continued to shine in the WSL and remains one of the league’s most creative players, keeping her firmly in the Ballon d’Or conversation.
Is Russo Also a Genuine Contender?
Alessia Russo led Arsenal’s WSL scoring charts last term with 13 goals, and fans have plenty of praise for her Ballon d’Or credentials too.
She’s been described as having the capability to turn matches on their head, while others point to her sustained and consistent form throughout the 25/26 season as reason enough for her to take the crown.
Whoever comes out on top, it’ll be a brand new Ballon d’Or winner when the award is presented at the ceremony in London on Monday, 26 October.
