Ballon d'Or Feminin Power Rankings: Top 10 Contenders For the Golden Ball

As the curtains closed on the 2025 Ballon d'Or ceremony, Aitana Bonmati ended up winning the Ballon d'Or Féminin to everyone's surprise. It was arguably unexpected, as Arsenal forward Alessia Russo was tipped to win it, thanks to her playing a key role in securing the UWCL & Women's Euro for her club & country in 2025. But in a season, during which so many women's footballers had impressive seasons, such debates were inevitable. But, that's it for the 2024/25 season, & now it's time to have a look at the early candidates to win Ballon d'Or féminin 2026.

Will it be Aitana Bonmati completing the four-peat, or will it be Alexia Putellas or Alessia Russo? Nevertheless, it's not a straightforward, easy decision to reach as players from Bayern Munich, Lyon, and Chelsea have delivered noteworthy performances in the ongoing 2025-26 season. This is an indication that the race for the 2026 Ballon d'Or féminin is only going to heat up as the season progresses. Hence, based on ranking factors such as overall individual stats, UWCL stats, international stats & trophies, the players will be competing for, Sportsdunia football desk has come up with an unbiased list of Ballon d'Or féminin power rankings.

2026 Ballon d'Or Féminin Power Ranking: Top 10 Contenders Currently

Now, let's have a look at the table below showcasing the possible top 10 Ballon d'Or 2026 feminin contenders, based on players' current performance (in Leagues, UWCL, international competitions) & to an extent, fan sentiments.

2026 Ballon d'Or Feminin Power Ranking: Ranking Factors

In this section, we will delve into the reasons behind our choice of the ranking factors shared at the beginning. Understand why these factors helped us come up with an unbiased list of Ballon d'Or Féminin 2026 rankings. Since the season has just started, we haven't yet considered the factor of winning trophies, but instead have focused on the chances of winning major trophies, such as the respective countries' leagues & as well as the UWCL.

• Goals Scored: Just like in the case of the men's award, the number of goals scored by a player has been a major factor in determining the winner of the Ballon d'Or Féminin since its inception in 2018. Ruthless goal scorers like Ada Hegerberg & Pernille Harder have won the prestigious award in the past.
• Assists: A goalscorer can't score goals without an able assist provider whose job is to create goals for her teammates. Assists are mainly provided by midfielders, wingers, or, on several occasions, strikers. Hence, the number of assists is the 2nd most important ranking factor.
• Performance in UWCL: Whether it's about women's football or men's football, no one can count themselves among the contenders for Ballon d'Or Féminin until they perform at an elite level in UEFA Women's Champions League (UWCL). Since it's an opportunity for players to prove that they are among the best in Europe, it is another major ranking criterion.

• International Matches Stats: Performance of women's footballers while playing international friendlies or qualifiers will also be taken into consideration, albeit to a lesser extent only, since there is no major international tournament upcoming.

  Note: Statistical numbers mentioned in this article for Ballon d'Or Féminin are from trusted and reputable sources like Sportsdunia, FBref & Sofascore.

Ballon d'Or Feminin Power Rankings: Possible Top 10 Contenders Revealed

Now that we are done with explaining the ranking factors, let's explore why these players deserve to be in the list of the top 10 Ballon d'Or Féminin rankings.

10. Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal | Spain)

After spending a glittering 10 years in Barcelona, in which she won 22 trophies in total (including 3 UWCL), the Spanish midfielder Mariona Caldentey went ahead to seek a new challenge & joined Arsenal Women's team in 2024. At first, it raised some eyebrows, but as of now, she has adapted to English football seamlessly. With 23 goal contributions (16G + 7A) last season, she was instrumental in leading her team to their first UEFA Women's Champions League (UWCL) title since 2007.

Primarily a defensive midfielder, the 29-year-old is one of the most versatile players currently in the women's game. Caldentey can play as a CM, left-winger, CAM & as a right-winger. Unlike the traditional strikers often seen, Mariona Caldentey's style is more physical & direct while scoring goals. Unlike the Dutch forward Vivianne Miedema, who plays as an out-and-out number 9, Caldentey prefers to receive the ball from the deep and then gradually move into attacking positions by unsettling the opposition defense & creating space for her fellow attackers. Her ability to use her pace & strength contributes to Arsenal's hold-up play, & her pinpoint crosses from the flanks are always dangerous. Competition for Ballon d'Or Féminin 2026 is such that currently, we have to place her at 10th in our 2026 Ballon d'Or Féminin power ranking. But there is a high possibility that she could climb higher in the rankings by doing what she does best….& that is to deliver consistently.

9. Patri Guijarro (FC Barcelona | Spain)

What makes Patri Guijarro a candidate for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Féminin award is her hawkish awareness while anticipating defensive & attacking situations. Her consistency & positional discipline let her know when to accelerate play & when to slow the tempo, when to commit to tackles & when to maintain shape & circulate the ball among the teammates to maintain a sense of control. Not only does she involve herself in creating opportunities to take a shot at the opposition's goal (As her shot-creating actions of 5.91/90 showcase), but she also knows when to make timely interceptions to prevent the opposition's team attackers from bypassing the midfield. These traits are the hallmark of a complete midfielder & that's why Patri Guijarro is placed 4th in our top 10 Ballon d'Or feminin rankings.

In 2018, FIFA described Guijarro as a box-to-box midfielder who displays something extraordinary to bamboozle the opposition at every stage of attacking play. She has been used both as a midfielder and a defensive midfielder by Barcelona & Spain. While more attack-minded players might have more compelling and flashier stats, Guijarro’s understanding of midfield play & her ability to execute complex tactical instructions give her a boost in the Ballon d’Or Féminin ranking.

8. Vicky López (FC Barcelona | Spain)

At just 19 years old, Barcelona's right-winger Vicky Lopez's stock rose further. She became the first-ever female winner of the Kopa Trophy at the recently concluded 2025 Ballon d'Or event. Since breaking into the first team in 2023, she has only performed better, with last season's performance being no exception, as she had 13 goal contributions (11G + 2A). Barcelona Women won all the domestic trophies, with the UWCL final defeat only being a sole blot on their near-perfect campaign.

Vicky Lopez plays as a right-winger & as well as an attacking midfielder. She possesses an electrifying pace, eye-popping dribbling skills, amazing ball control, & the ability to play with fearlessness & poise even in tight spaces. She is already among the favourites to possibly retain the Kopa Trophy, thanks to another impressive start, which has already seen her deliver 8 goals & 6 assists in all competitions. But if she maintains such levels throughout the season, she will for sure be in the mix for Ballon d'Or Feminine.

7. Tabitha Chawinga (OL Lyonnes | Malawi)

Undoubtedly, the most underrated player in the list, Lyon forward Tabitha Chawinga, has impressed the club's fans & neutral followers of women's game alike. With 8.16 touches per game in the opposition's penalty box, according to data on FBref, it highlights the constant threat exhibited by her when her team is in attack. Though she has been playing for more than 10 years now, she came into the limelight in the 2022-3 season, when she was playing for Inter Milan on loan from the Chinese WSL's side Jiangsu Suning. She racked up 23 goals that season, & became the 1st African woman to become the highest Serie A goalscorer in a single season. She continued her form in the following season, after moving to PSG, as she scored 27 goals. Now, she represents their arch-rivals, Olympique Lyon.

Being a pacy left-footed winger, she has a knack for scoring goals. She is one of the fastest players in the Women's Champions League & often uses her high sprint speed & ability to indulge in direct take-ons with the defenders to create goalscoring opportunities. With 2 goals & 2 assists already in the first 3 matches of the new season, she is intending to maintain hat rich vein of form. Year by Year, her stock has only risen, & if Lyon, along with dominating the league, can win the UWCL, then it's obvious to see her climb closer to the podium in our rankings of Ballon d'Or Féminin 2026.

6. Ewa Pajor (FC Barcelona | Spain)

Often referred to as the “female Robert Lewandowski”, Polish striker Ewa Pajor had the most prolific season of her career last term. Just like the og Robert Lewandowski, she scores loads of goals. In a near-perfect 2024/25 season, in which the Barcelona Women's team only missed out on UWCL glory, she had 57 goal contributions (43G + 14A). Her 14 assists exhibit her selflessness & willingness to play along with the team.

The right-footed no.9 is known for her ruthless goalscoring instincts & speed at which she runs into the opposition penalty area. Her ability to run behind the defenses & receive crosses has always caused chaos among the defenders. After scoring twice in a 7-1 demolition of Bayern Munich in the opening night of UWCL, her tally for this season is 20 G + A in just 17 appearances. Though she is currently placed 6th in our list of top 10 Ballon d'Or Féminin rankings, her blistering start this season showcases her intention to be among the top contenders to win the award.

5. Caroline Graham Hansen (FC Barcelona | Norway)

Known for her dribbling skills, ability to indulge in effective one-on-one challenges & slick passing quality, no defender would want to face off against Barcelona winger Caroline Hansen. The way she advances with the ball at her feet, & then combines pace with close control, especially in tight spaces, always unshackles the opponent's defense. The Norwegian winger has enjoyed one of her finest individual seasons last term, as she contributed 16 goals and 14 assists.

The 30-year-old winger’s exceptional dribbling skills, pinpoint crossing & exceptional finishing ability make her completely unbeatable. She was one of the key players who led Barcelona Femeni to sweep all the domestic trophies. To no one's surprise, she is performing well in the early stages of the 2025/26 season, as she has 6 goals + 6 assists to her name in 16 matches overall so far. If her exceptional run of form continues, then it's very much possible that you will see her ranked even higher in our 2026 Ballon d'Or féminin power ranking after a few months.

4. Khadija Shaw (Man City | Man City)

One of the reasons behind Man City Women's bright outing in the Women's Super League so far, Khadija Shaw has set the stage on fire. The Jamaican forward has bagged 15 goals and 4 assists in the league so far, making her the top scorer in the league.

City was on an unbeaten streak till in which Khadija played a big part, scoring left, right and centre and helping her team towards the ultimate goal. Unfortunately, their streak ended with a 1-0 loss to Arsenal recently.

One of her most memorable performances in the league so far remains her four-goal rout in a 6-1 shamshing of Aston Villa, which saw Khadija become the first player in the club's history to score 100 goals.

All these factors make her a sure-shot favourite in the Ballon d'Or feminin power rankings. She needs titles to back up her individual performance, which will bring her closer to grabbing the illustrious golden ball.

3. Alessia Russo (Arsenal | England)

Despite contributing to Arsenal's memorable 2024/25 season by chipping in 19 goals & 4 assists, which also included scoring some crucial goals in their path to Women's Champions League glory, English striker Alessia Russo narrowly missed out on winning the Ballon d'Or Feminine. The 57-time England international is a right-footed centre forward, and has played as the sole striker to lead the line in the teams she has represented so far. Russo uses her physicality to impose herself on defenders & bump them away. That also makes her able to attack the incoming crosses with well-timed movements, taking advantage of the chaos caused among the opposition defenders.

Russo scored one of the most important goals of her entire career in the Women's Euro final this summer, as it helped the Three Lions to equalise, which forced both England and Spain into penalties, which the English won 3-1. Russo's Arsenal also won the UWCL final against Barcelona & was the favourite to clinch the Ballon d'Or in September. But to everyone's shock, Bonmati ended up scooping the award, probably because she racked up more attacking numbers than Russo. Though she has started the 2025/26 season pretty much well, we have placed her at 3rd currently in the power rankings list of Ballon d'Or féminin 2026. Unlike last term, Arsenal have to aim to win WSL too, along with targeting successive UWCL glory.

2. Alexia Putellas (FC Barcelona | Spain)

After two injury-disrupted seasons, critics thought that Alexia Putellas's day as the best female footballer are numbered. But instead, she returned to the summit of elite footballers by delivering a breathtaking campaign that led to her winning Ballon d’Or Féminine twice. She marked her comeback with a return of 19 goals & 15 assists as her club once again dominated Spanish football. No matter what is happening off the pitch, she lets her actions speak while playing on it. Hence, apart from being one of the hottest female footballers in the world, she is one of the best female soccer players in the modern era as well.

Thanks to her ability to carry the ball forward as a midfielder, Putellas is hailed as one of the best left-sided 'number 8' central & attacking midfielders. Whether it's in terms of progressive carries, touches in the opposition's penalty area, or the ability to create shot-creating actions, Putellas ranks in the 99th Percentile in all the key metrics according to data viewed on FBref. This is one of the reasons why she is hailed as a “Complete Midfielder”, as her passing accuracy, vision to create goalscoring opportunities & ability to dictate the tempo are compared to the legendary Barcelona Midfielders of Pep Guardiola's era. She is all set to battle next year for Ballon d'Or Féminin with her fellow midfield partner, Aitana Bonmati. The 2025/26 season has just started & Putellas is leaving no stones unturned as she has delivered 12 goal contributions in as many matches so far.

1. Aitana Bonmati (FC Barcelona | Spain)

It is not rocket science to think why Aitana Bonmati, the current holder of Ballon d'Or Féminin & one of the best female footballers in the world, is ranked 1st in our Ballon d'Or Féminin power rankings. After completing a hat-trick of wins & equalling Barcelona legend Lionel Messi's record, she is aiming to achieve the four-peat. Her 15 goals & 12 assists last season catapulted Barca to complete a Domestic treble for the second year running & reach the final of the Women's Champions League.

As a midfielder, Bonmati has excellent ball control, technical poise & vision to execute passes through the tightest of spaces. Because of this, she has often been compared to Spanish legend Andres Iniesta. But what makes Bonmati stand out is the fact that she is two-footed & can play in 4-5 different attacking positions without lowering her level, as told by her former FCB Femeni coach, Xavi Llorens. She has already kick-started her quest for a record 4th consecutive Ballon d'Or by registering 6 goals & 3 assists in 11 appearances in the 2025-26 season, showcasing that she is not going to rest on her laurels & will continue to redefine the women's game.