Top Contenders for Women’s Ballon d’Or 2025: Bonmati, Russo, Kelly
In the world of women’s football, the Ballon d’Or stands as the ultimate mark of individual success. This year, they’ve announced 30 nominees for the prestigious award, and honestly, the competition feels tighter than ever.
England’s Euro 2025-winning squad has five members on the list. Barcelona brings six players, and the United States gets representation with Lindsey Heaps and Emily Fox. The list really shows just how global the talent pool is in women’s football.
The ceremony takes place September 22 in Paris. The Athletic’s writers have weighed in on who they think should take the crown.
Let’s look at some of the top contenders and what they’ve achieved.
The Case for Alessia Russo
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Alessia Russo jumps out as a top pick for the Ballon d’Or this year. Her work for both club and country has been exceptional—seriously, the numbers don’t lie.
Russo snagged a European championship with both teams and ended up joint-top scorer in the Women’s Super League. She’s so much more than a striker; her link-up play and clever movement keep defenders guessing.
Take her assist to Lauren James against the Netherlands—pure vision. Russo leads England’s press with a relentless energy that’s honestly exhausting just to watch.
She’s the definition of a workhorse and her impact on her teams is massive. If you ask me, she deserves to be right at the top of the Ballon d’Or conversation.
The Brilliance of Aitana Bonmati
Aitana Bonmati has already made history, winning a third of the six women’s Ballon d’Or awards. At 27, she’s still the engine for both Barcelona and Spain.
Bonmati mixes elegance with grit, controlling games even when things get chaotic. Sure, Barcelona and Spain both fell short in some finals, but her brilliance never really fades.
Her influence on the pitch is something else. If she wins a third consecutive Ballon d’Or, would anyone really be surprised?
Patri Guijarro: The Unsung Hero
Patri Guijarro might not have the same spotlight as some teammates, but her impact is real. She played a key role for Spain, even converting in the final penalty shootout against England.
Guijarro sees passes others don’t and helps stars like Bonmati and Alexia Putellas shine. She might not make every highlight reel, but her steady performances keep both Barcelona and Spain ticking.
Mariona Caldentey: The Consummate Footballing Beast
Since joining Arsenal from Barcelona, Mariona Caldentey has been a revelation. Her WSL stats jump off the page—she leads in shot-creating actions, progressive passes, and expected assists.
Caldentey can drop deep in midfield and still drive her team’s attack. Big moments? She’s delivered, like her header in the Euro 2025 final and her performance against Barcelona in the Champions League.
Her all-around game is just so complete. She’s got a real shot at the Ballon d’Or.
Lucy Bronze: A Testament to Perseverance
Lucy Bronze’s career has seen her at the very top of the game. At 33, she’s still showing what it takes to stay elite.
This year, Bronze picked up a treble with Chelsea and another European Championship with England. She’s played through injuries but somehow kept her performances at a high level.
Giving Bronze the Ballon d’Or would honor not just her recent success, but her years of grit and dominance.
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The Resilience of Hannah Hampton
Hannah Hampton’s journey has been about resilience and raw talent. She bounced back from early setbacks to become a key player for England.
Hampton’s goalkeeping—those pinpoint passes, those crucial saves—has been huge for her team. Four penalty saves in the European Championship? That’s wild for any keeper.
It’s rare for a goalkeeper to win the Ballon d’Or, but Hampton’s performances have been extraordinary.
Chloe Kelly: The Clutch Player
Chloe Kelly’s made a reputation as a clutch performer. Her penalty run-up, those crosses, her shooting—she’s become essential for England and Arsenal.
Kelly always seems to step up when it matters, like netting the winning penalty in the Euro 2025 final. She can flip a season’s script in just a few games, and that’s not something you see every day.
Esther Gonzalez: The Quiet Consistency
Esther Gonzalez isn’t the flashiest name, but she’s one of Spain’s most reliable scorers. Her precision and relentless work rate have been vital for both the national team and Gotham FC.
Gonzalez leads by example and inspires those around her. She’s definitely earned her place in the Ballon d’Or conversation.
Ewa Pajor: The Goal-Scoring Machine
Ewa Pajor’s first season at Barcelona? Absolutely electric. She won Liga F’s Golden Boot with 25 goals and racked up 43 goals in 46 games for Barcelona.
Pajor stepped in after Caldentey’s departure and didn’t miss a beat. She’s a pure goal machine and a real contender for the Ballon d’Or.
Emily Fox: The Complete Full-Back
Emily Fox’s rise to one of the world’s top right-backs shows her mental strength and tactical smarts. After helping the U.S. win Olympic gold, she joined Arsenal and lifted the UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy.
Fox has climbed the ranks with steady, impressive performances. She’s made a strong case for Ballon d’Or recognition.
Marta: The Icon of Resilience
Marta’s career stretches across more than twenty years. That alone puts her in rare company.
At 39, she still leads Brazil in all-time goals. She’s outlasted generations of challengers and keeps inspiring young soccer players everywhere.
She’s picked up plenty of awards, but the Ballon d’Or? Still missing from her shelf. If she gets it, that would really seal her place as one of football’s all-time greats.
The Ballon d’Or ceremony happens on September 22. I can’t help but wonder who’ll walk away with the prize this time.
There’s more to the story, of course. Dive into the details in the full article at the New York Times.