Arsenal’s Ballon d’Or Triumph Highlights Unstoppable Ascent in Women’s Football

Arsenal Women’s Football Club has made some real waves in women’s football lately, and their recent win as the Women’s Club of the Year at the 2025 Ballon d’Or ceremony really says it all. Even though Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo didn’t snag the individual Ballon d’Or, Arsenal’s collective achievement took center stage and showed just how far they’ve come.

It’s kind of wild to think about how quickly they’ve transformed, right? Let’s look at what’s fueled their rise, the players making it happen, and how the club’s been pushing the women’s game forward.

Arsenal’s Milestone at the Ballon d’Or 2025

At the 2025 Ballon d’Or, Arsenal picked up the Women’s Club of the Year award. That’s a pretty big nod to their hard work and performance in women’s football.

Seven players, head coach Renee Slegers, and director of women’s football Clare Wheatley all took the stage to accept the trophy. The players in the spotlight were:

• Daphne van Domselaar – Fifth in the Women’s Yashin Trophy
• Steph Catley – 29th in the Ballon d’Or Feminin
• Emily Fox – 25th in the Ballon d’Or Feminin
• Leah Williamson – Seventh in the Ballon d’Or Feminin
• Chloe Kelly – Fifth in the Ballon d’Or Feminin
• Alessia Russo – Third in the Ballon d’Or Feminin
• Mariona Caldentey – Second in the Ballon d’Or Feminin

Historical Context and Club Foundations

Arsenal Women’s Football Club started back in 1987, thanks to Vic Akers and Arsenal in the Community. Akers ran the show for 22 years and racked up over 32 major trophies, including their first Champions League title in 2007.

That early era really set the tone for what Arsenal would become. They’ve been a big part of putting women’s football on the map in England.

Strategic Investments and Infrastructure

In the last few years, Arsenal’s put real money and effort into the women’s side. When Jonas Eidevall came in as head coach in June 2021, the club kicked off a serious review and started upgrading training facilities.

They also brought in more backroom staff—new heads of sports medicine, sports science, nutritionists, and even an individual development coach. Renee Slegers actually held that last role before she took over as head coach.

Home Ground and Fan Engagement

One of the biggest shifts? Arsenal decided to play every home Women’s Super League match at the Emirates Stadium. That’s a huge deal for visibility and for connecting with fans.

The Emirates used to host women’s games every now and then, but now it’s their permanent home. It really shows how serious the club is about giving their women’s team equal footing and facilities.

Player Contributions and International Success

Arsenal’s players have made a mark both at the club and on the international scene. Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo, even though they didn’t win the Ballon d’Or, had incredible seasons.

Caldentey’s clutch goal in the Champions League semi-final against Lyon and Russo’s standout performance against Real Madrid in the quarter-final were both unforgettable. Both of them also shined for Spain and England, respectively.

Champions League Triumph

Winning the Champions League really put Arsenal in the spotlight at the Ballon d’Or. The team pulled together and showed off some serious talent throughout the competition.

That quarter-final comeback against Bayern Munich in March 2023 still sticks out. The squad’s grit and skill were on full display, and honestly, it felt like a turning point.

Future Prospects and Continued Growth

Arsenal’s rise in women’s football comes down to smart planning, investment, and a real drive for excellence. The club sold 17,000 memberships for the current season, which is up 12% from last year—pretty impressive growth.

This bigger fan base has helped bring in top talent. Players like Daphne van Domselaar and Olivia Smith have said that playing in front of a packed Emirates Stadium was a huge reason they wanted to join Arsenal.

Inspirational Leadership and Vision

Renee Slegers, during her acceptance speech, really drove home how vital it is to invest in women’s sport. She pointed out the collective push across the club to create the best possible conditions for success.

Slegers leads with purpose, but she doesn’t do it alone. Club owners Stan and Josh Kroenke, plus director Clare Wheatley, all play a big part in moving things forward.

Arsenal’s rise has sparked inspiration throughout the women’s football community. Their drive for excellence—on the pitch and behind the scenes—sets a high bar.