Alessia Russo and Alex Greenwood have both been nominated for the women's Ballon d'Or, France Football's prestigious annual award, as the only England players to make a 30-strong shortlist that will be decided at a ceremony in London on 26 October.

Russo's prolific season earns recognition

Russo, the Arsenal forward, is no stranger to this stage having finished third in last year's voting. This time around she arrives on the back of another outstanding club campaign, having scored 24 goals in 40 appearances for Arsenal. Few forwards in world football have matched that kind of output over a full season, and her consistency places her firmly in contention rather than simply making up the numbers.

Greenwood rewarded after domestic double

Greenwood's nomination is equally well deserved. The Manchester City captain led her side to both the Women's Super League title and the FA Cup last season — a domestic double that underlines just how central she has been to City's success. Her defensive composure and leadership qualities have long made her one of the best centre-backs in the game, and this nod from the Ballon d'Or panel reflects that standing.

Manchester City team-mate Khadija Shaw also makes the shortlist after an extraordinary WSL campaign in which she netted 21 goals in just 22 league games, a return that few strikers anywhere in the world can rival.

A wide-open contest with Putellas among the favourites

The usual frontrunner is notably absent this year. Aitana Bonmatí, who has claimed the award for the past three consecutive seasons, misses the shortlist entirely after suffering a broken leg that ruled her out of a significant portion of the campaign. That opens the field considerably.

Two-time winner Alexia Putellas — now at London City Lionesses — is widely regarded as one of the favourites after helping Barcelona clinch the Women's Champions League. Lyon's Caroline Weir, who moved from Real Madrid in June, also features after contributing 20 goals in all competitions for the Spanish club last season. The Scotland international's form will give her a genuine chance of featuring in the final reckoning.

A special setting for a landmark anniversary

This year's ceremony carries extra significance. The Ballon d'Or is celebrating its 70th anniversary, having been created by France Football in 1956, and the decision to hold proceedings in London is described as a symbolic tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews — the former England winger who won the inaugural award. It is a fitting backdrop that should lend the evening some additional gravitas.

The full 30-player shortlist for the women's award features a strong WSL presence, with players from Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea all represented alongside nominees from Barcelona, Lyon and Bayern Munich. The market will have its own view on where the winner comes from, but England supporters will be hoping at least one of their own is still in the conversation come late October.

  • Alessia Russo (Arsenal/England) — 24 goals in 40 club appearances
  • Alex Greenwood (Manchester City/England) — WSL and FA Cup winner
  • Khadija Shaw (Manchester City/Jamaica) — 21 WSL goals in 22 games
  • Alexia Putellas (London City Lionesses/Spain) — considered a leading contender
  • Caroline Weir (Lyon/Scotland) — 20 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid

Frequently asked

When and where is the 2026 women's Ballon d'Or ceremony?
The ceremony takes place on 26 October in London. The city was chosen as a symbolic tribute to Sir Stanley Matthews, who won the first ever Ballon d'Or in 1956.
Why isn't Aitana Bonmatí on the women's Ballon d'Or shortlist?
Bonmatí, who has won the women's award for the past three years, missed a large portion of the season due to a broken leg and was not nominated as a result.
Which UK-based players are nominated for the women's Ballon d'Or 2026?
England's Alessia Russo (Arsenal) and Alex Greenwood (Manchester City) are both nominated, as are Manchester City's Khadija Shaw and Yui Hasegawa, Chelsea's Melvine Malard and Manaka Matsukubo, and Scotland's Caroline Weir — though Weir now plays for Lyon in France.