By 90min | Created at 2024-10-29 21:33:04 | Updated at 2024-10-30 19:21:59
1 week ago
The winner of the sixth Ballon d'Or Feminin will be announced on Monday 28 October.
Aitana Bonmati and Megan Rapinoe are among the previous winners of this prestigious individual prize, which was first awarded in 2018. Only Spain's Alexia Putellas has won the women's Ballon d'Or more than once.
From an England perspective, Lucy Bronze and Beth Mead are the only two Lionesses to have ever placed in the top three, although a handful of the squad have secured nominations for this year's prize. Mary Earps also won the highest ever rank for a goalkeeper last year when she placed fifth.
This year's ceremony will take place in Paris next week and other accolades up for grabs include the men's prize, the men's Kopa Trophy, men's Yashin Trophy, men's and women's club of the year, as well as men's and women's coach of the year.
90min have taken a look at the previous winners of the Ballon d'Or Feminin, this year's nominees and predicted who will claim the prize on Monday.
Hegerberg won the first Ballon d'Or Feminin in 2024 / FRANCK FIFE/GettyImages
The Ballon d'Or Feminin was only awarded for the first time in 2018, contrasting sharply with the men's award which was first handed out in 1956. Ada Hegerberg was the inaugural recipient and was followed by USWNT legend Megan Rapinoe a year later.
In the three ceremonies since, the award has been won by Spanish players. Alexia Putellas was a back-to-back winner in 2021 and 2022 before Barcelona teammate Bonmati claimed the gong in 2023.
2018 | Ada Hegerberg | Norway | Lyon |
2019 | Megan Rapinoe | USA | Reign FC |
2021 | Alexia Putellas | Spain | Barcelona |
2022 | Alexia Putellas | Spain | Barcelona |
2023 | Aitana Bonmati | Spain | Barcelona |
2024 Ballon d'Or Feminin nominees
Chelsea star Bronze has been nominated / Tim Nwachukwu/GettyImages
The nominees for the 2024 Ballon d'Or Feminin were revealed by France Football back in September, with a number of leading women's players making the shortlist.
Current holder Bonmati is one of the major favourites to claim the award for the second year in a row, though she faces competition from a number of renowned stars around the world.
Spanish compatriots Mariona Caldentey, Patricia Guijarro, Salma Paralluelo and former winner Putellas are also nominated, while Lionesses Lucy Bronze, Lauren Hemp and Lauren James are among the contenders.
Key USWNT figures like Sophia Smith and Lindsey Horan will also harbour hopes of claiming the gold in October.
Barcelona star Aitana Bonmati is the favourite to claim this year's Ballon d'Or / David Ramos/GettyImages
When it comes to the biggest individual prize in women's football, it's hard to look past Bonmati. Although Spain failed to medal at the Olympics in the summer, the midfielder still played an integral role in Barcelona's quadruple winning season, which included the Champions League.
Bonmati's Barca teammates Caroline Graham Hansen, Patricia Guijarro and Alexia Putellas should also be considered among the favourites. However, if international tournaments take precedence, there are a number of players outside Europe who are strong contenders.
The USA stormed to gold at the Olympics this year and their attack was spearheaded by Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson, who all had fantastic campaigns. Brazil's Tarciane and Gabi Portilho were also outstanding in their journey to a silver medal.
Purely from a goalscoring perspective, Manchester City's Khadija Shaw, Lyon's Tabitha Chawinga - who spent last season on loan at Paris Saint-Germain - former Wolfsburg star Ewa Pajor and Barca's Graham Hansen should all be considered for leading the charts in Europe's top four leagues.
