For the first time since 2023, the Women's Ballon d'Or could have a new winner, with Ewa Pajor, Khadija Shaw, Alessia Russo and Melchie Dumornay among the leading contenders. The race to be named the world's best female player is the most open in years.
Top Contenders Lead the Field
Melchie Dumornay (OL Lyonnes/Haiti) tops the power rankings. Despite Lyonnes' 4-0 loss to Barcelona in last season's Champions League final, Dumornay's influence in midfield was pivotal as they cruised to a domestic treble. The 23-year-old was named player of the year by the French players' union. Her importance was highlighted by her absence through injury in a 2-1 Champions League semi-final first-leg loss to Arsenal; she returned for the second leg with a player-of-the-match performance in a 3-1 win. Dumornay scored five goals in Lyonnes' Champions League run and was named in the team of the tournament.
Ewa Pajor (Barcelona/Poland) is second. After losing five Champions League finals, Pajor scored two goals as Barcelona thrashed Lyonnes in Oslo. Her 11 goals in European competition last season matched Alexia Putellas's 2021-22 tally, which has not been bettered since Ada Hegerberg's record-breaking 15 in 2017-18. Pajor also scored 16 goals in Liga F, behind only Barcelona teammate Claudia Pina, who scored 21.
Consistent Performers and Rising Stars
Khadija Shaw (Manchester City/Jamaica) is third. Shaw is the only player to win three consecutive Women's Super League golden boots. The 29-year-old scored 21 goals in 22 games as Manchester City won a league and FA Cup double, and signed a new contract. She won the Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) and Football Writers' Association (FWA) player of the year awards. Shaw scored nine goals and was named in the Best XI in this year's Concacaf Women's Championship qualification, helping Jamaica reach the tournament.
Alexia Putellas (London City Lionesses/Spain) is fourth. In her final season at Barcelona before moving in July, Putellas scored seven goals in the Champions League and nine goals and seven assists in Liga F as Barcelona won a quadruple. The 32-year-old also scored the second and third goals in a 4-0 defeat of England to secure Spain's World Cup qualification.
Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City/Japan) is fifth. The 29-year-old was a critical component in City's double and was named in the PFA team of the year. She helped Japan to a third AFC Women's Asian Cup win, earning World Cup qualification.
Other Notable Names in the Rankings
Alessia Russo (Arsenal/England) is sixth. Despite a disappointing season for Arsenal, Russo impressed for club and country, switching between No 9 and No 10 roles. She was named in the PFA team of the year, and her goal against Iceland in April moved her into the Lionesses' top-10 goalscorers.
Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current/Malawi) is seventh. The NWSL top scorer and most valuable player for a second season running, Chawinga scored 15 goals as Kansas City Current won the NWSL Shield. She also scored five goals to help Malawi reach the Women's Africa Cup of Nations final and their first World Cup.
The rest of the top 10 includes Claudia Pina (Barcelona/Spain), Patri Guijarro (Barcelona/Spain), and Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride/Zambia). Pina scored 21 goals in Liga F; Guijarro was critical to Barcelona's quadruple; Banda scored five goals at the Women's Africa Cup of Nations and was named in the Fifpro Women's World XI.
Players ranked 11 to 20 include Kerstin Casparij, Mariona Caldentey, Caroline Graham Hansen, Selma Bacha, Pernille Harder, Vivianne Miedema, Mapi León, Rose Lavelle, Lorena, and Manaka Matsukubo. The remaining contenders are Klara Bühl, Cata Coll, Alex Greenwood, Wendie Renard, Esmee Brugts, Momoko Tanikawa, Caroline Weir, Melvine Malard, Scarlett Camberos, and Tessa Wullaert.
