Spain and Barcelona star player Aitana Bonmati has made history after she was named the first player to win the women’s Ballon d’Or three times. The 27 year-old took the award with her international team-mate, Arsenal winger Mariona Caldentey, coming second.
Bonmati also won the award in 2023 and 2024. It means Barcelona players have won the honour in each of the past five years after midfielder Alexia Putellas earned the prize in 2021 and 2022. The award, officially called the Ballon d’Or Feminin, recognises the best footballer of the year and is voted for by a jury of journalists from each of the top 100 countries in the Fifa men’s world ranking.
Outside the top 10, Arsenal defenders Emily Fox and Steph Catley came 25th and 29th respectively, with midfielder Frida Maanum ending 27th. Chelsea pair Sandy Baltimore and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd finished 15th and 23rd, while former Blues midfielder Pernille Harder was 20th. Scotland and Real Madrid midfielder Caroline Weir finished 30th in the vote.
It was a great night for the Lionesses as manager Sarina Wiegman won the women’s coach award and Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton was named best women’s goalkeeper.
Ballon d’Or Feminin top 10 and selected others
1: Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona, Spain)
2: Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal, Spain)
3: Alessia Russo (Arsenal, England)
4: Alexia Putellas (Barcelona, Spain)
5: Chloe Kelly (Manchester City, Arsenal, England)
6: Patricia Guijarro (Barcelona, Spain)
7: Leah Williamson (Arsenal, England)
8: Ewa Pajor (Barcelona, Poland)
9: Lucy Bronze (Chelsea, England)
10: Hannah Hampton (Chelsea, England)
15: Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea, France)
20: Pernille Harder (Bayern Munich, Denmark)
23: Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (Chelsea, Sweden)
25: Emily Fox (Arsenal, USA)
27: Frida Maanum (Arsenal, Norway)
29: Steph Catley (Arsenal, Australia)
30: Caroline Weir (Real Madrid, Scotland)
