The Women's Ballon d'Or, known as the Ballon d'Or Féminin, is one of the most prestigious awards in women's football, recognizing the best female player in the world over the previous season.

Ballon d'Or awardThe Ballon d'Or award

It is awarded by France Football, the same organization that created the men's Ballon d'Or. This accolade celebrates individual brilliance, leadership, and consistent performances across club and international competitions, making it a highly coveted prize in the world of women's football.

First introduced in 2018, the Women's Ballon d'Or marked a significant step forward in the recognition of women's football on the global stage. The women's award was designed to complement the men's trophy but follows the same rigorous selection process. However, it highlights the growing stature of women's football, which has seen unprecedented development in recent years, particularly with the increased visibility of domestic leagues and international tournaments.

As women’s football continues to grow in popularity, the Ballon d'Or Féminin has become a symbol of excellence, celebrating players who elevate the game to new heights. Two Spanish players, Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí, share the record of three wins each.

2018 Ballon d'Or

The inaugural winner was Norwegian forward Ada Hegerberg after an outstanding season with Olympique Lyonnais, during which she led her team to Champions League glory.

2019 Ballon d'Or

American star Megan Rapinoe took the title in 2019 after her influential role in the U.S. Women's World Cup victory.

2020 Ballon d'Or

Due to the disruption to world sport in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, there was no award given in 2020.

2021 Ballon d'Or

Spain's Alexia Putellas won the Women's Ballon d'Or for her exceptional performances playing with Barcelona.

2022 Ballon d'Or

Barcelona's Alexia Putellas made history by winning back-to-back Ballon d'Or Féminin titles.

2023 Ballon d'Or

The 2023 edition saw Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí claim the award following her standout performances at the FIFA Women’s World Cup and UEFA Women's Champions League.

2024 Ballon d'Or

The winner of the 2024 Women's Ballon d'Or was favorite Aitana Bonmatí, her second win in two years.

2025 Ballon d'Or

Aitana Bonmatí became the first player to win three Women's Ballon d'Or awards, and the first to win three in a row. She was named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2025, even though Spain lost the final to England on penalties and Barcelona were beaten by Arsenal in the Champions League final.

2026 Ballon d'Or

Alexia Putellas won her third Ballon d'Or Féminin, drawing level with Aitana Bonmatí for the most wins. The award, mostly for her 2025-26 season with Barcelona, completed her comeback from the serious knee (ACL) injury she suffered in 2022. She had joined London City Lionesses in England's Women's Super League by the time of the ceremony.