In the last few years, it's seemed relatively easy to predict the winner of the Ballon d'Or Feminin. In 2025, though, it feels incredibly tricky, especially after England's win over Spain in the European Championship final.
Alexia Putellas was the slight favourite going into the tournament, with Mariona Caldentey hot on her heels and Aitana Bonmati well in the mix for a third Golden Ball in a row. However, all three were on the losing side in Basel.
For England's stars, it's quite a different story. Among their heroes were players who enhanced an already strong case for the Ballon d'Or and outsiders who threw their hats firmly into the ring, having backed up strong seasons with stand-out summers. After all, we know how the voting goes for these awards in this day and age; there is immense weight placed upon these major tournaments by many of the voters. That much was evident when the full list of nominees was revealed on August 7.
The Euros wasn't the only tournament played during the summer either. The Women's Africa Cup of Nations came to its climax the day before, as Nigeria came from 2-0 down to beat Morocco in a thrilling final, while Brazil got the better of Colombia in the Copa America decider.
So, ahead of Monday night's ceremony in Paris, who is in pole position to win this year's Ballon d'Or? GOAL takes a look at the leading contenders below…
Getty Images15Pernille Harder (Bayern Munich)
It's often difficult for players in the Frauen-Bundesliga to get nominated for the Ballon d'Or, and it's not going to be any easier this year, given both Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg crashed out at the quarter-final stage of the Women's Champions League. However, Pernille Harder had herself a truly outstanding season which helped Bayern clinch a domestic treble.
The German champions retained their league title, lifted the German Super Cup and beat Werder Bremen in the DFB-Pokal final – with Harder at the heart of it all. A treble, combined with her wonderful stats, should be more than enough to put the Denmark captain onto the list of Golden Ball nominees. That said, the Danes' disappointing group-stage exit at the Euros could stop her from ranking too highly.
AdvertisementGetty Images14Melchie Dumornay (Lyon)
Until Lyon's shock Champions League exit at the hands of Arsenal, Melchie Dumornay felt like a genuine contender for the Ballon d'Or at age 21. The Haiti international was OL's best player all season long and even scored in both legs of their European semi-final, despite the team's disappointing defeat.
She still deserves to receive votes for the Golden Ball this year, but the fact Lyon were only able to win one trophy, plus Haiti's lack of a major tournament this summer, will stop her from getting on the podium. Watch this space, though: she looks capable of winning this award – and sooner rather than later.
Imagn Images13Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride)
Twelfth in the Golden Ball voting last year, Barbra Banda stood a good chance of ranking even higher in 2025. The latter stages of the 2024 NWSL season will count towards this year's award, during which the striker helped the Orlando Pride win the NWSL Shield and the Championship, and she has continued to excel in 2025.
Banda was not able to enhance her case with a big Africa Cup of Nations, though that's not on her really. The striker scored three goals and assisted another in her four appearances for Zambia at the tournament, but defensive frailties hurt the team again as they lost 5-0 to Nigeria in the quarter-finals.
Getty Images Sport12Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea)
Chelsea completed an incredible domestic treble this past season and reached the last four of the Champions League – and yet, until some backed that up with big summers on the international front, they lacked obvious contenders for the Ballon d'Or. It's an award that often leans at least somewhat on name recognition as well as performances, and the Blues' most recognisable stars were often hampered by injuries.
However, Sandy Baltimore made her mark in enough big moments to be in with a shout. It was her corner that Lucy Bronze headed home to win the WSL title at Manchester United and she was then involved in all three goals in victory over the same opponent in the FA Cup final, scoring twice and assisting another. A quarter-final exit at the Euros with France will weaken her case, though.