Women’s Ballon d Or 2026 Contenders Beyond Alexia Putellas
The race for the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or is taking shape as domestic leagues conclude and international contenders emerge, with former winners and prolific goalscorers vying for the prize.
The Contenders Reshaping the Global Race
Alexia Putellas has shifted her career to the Women’s Super League, playing for London City, where she continues to test defenses.
Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw enters the conversation after scoring 21 league goals last season. Her performance secured Manchester City’s first title in a decade, alongside five goals in the FA Cup to complete a domestic double.
Shaw has topped the WSL scoring charts for the past three seasons, accumulating 90 goals since joining the club in the summer of 2021. That run earned the Jamaica striker a lucrative four-year contract in June.
Former England international Ellen White voiced support for the forward. “We haven’t had a major tournament but there are some amazing players on the list,” White said, according to bbc.com. “I would love to see Shaw up there – brilliant goalscoring.”
Russo's European Form Boosts Ballon d'Or Hopes
Despite Shaw’s domestic dominance, her Ballon d’Or candidacy faces a significant hurdle. She is part of a five-strong Manchester City contingent on the radar, but none of them featured in the Champions League during the previous campaign.
Arsenal forward Alessia Russo presents a contrasting resume. Russo finished second to Shaw in league goals last season and netted nine times in the Champions League.
That European form builds on a podium finish in the previous Ballon d’Or voting, where Russo placed third behind Aitana Bonmati and club teammate Mariona Caldentey. That recognition followed Arsenal’s Champions League victory in May 2025.
However, Arsenal’s exit in the semi-finals of the competition against Lyon may affect her chances of claiming the top award this year.
Alexia Putellas is crowned the 2026 Ballon d’Or winner, making history once more! 🏆👑 Watch the Ballon d'Or LIVE and FREE on DAZN in more than 200 countries around the world, from 19:00 GMT tonight 🌍#ballondor pic.twitter.com/uyrXqoAffa
Ewa Pajor Challenges Spanish Dominance with Goal Record
Ewa Pajor offers a direct challenge to the recent dominance of Spanish-based players. The Poland international scored 11 goals in just 10 Champions League matches last season for Barcelona, including a hat-trick in the final against Lyon.
The 29-year-old secured the Women’s Gerd Muller trophy as the top scorer last season and finished eighth in the overall Ballon d’Or rankings.