What a night for women’s football. The Ballon d’Or continues to grow, now with extended categories including Young Player and Goalkeeper of the Year. As always, the awards bring both celebration and debate, and this year was no different. Attendance often gives a hint at outcomes—players like Michelle Agyemang and Ann-Katrin Berger were not present, for example.
Vicky Lopez – Young Player of the Year
This award felt well deserved. Michelle Agyemang had a standout performance at the Euros, but her impact was mostly limited to that tournament. By contrast, Lopez contributed across multiple competitions—the Champions League, Liga F, and the Euros—making her case stronger overall. That said, Wieke Kaptein also had an impressive year, helping her team secure a domestic treble, though the Netherlands exited the Euros at the group stage.
Hannah Hampton – Goalkeeper of the Year
One notable moment came when Mary Earps presented the award, acknowledging Hampton’s rise after Earps’ own retirement.
The award seemed justified based on Hampton’s record: a domestic treble, golden glove, an unbeaten WSL season, and key performances in penalty shootouts during the Euros. Other goalkeepers, such as Ann-Katrin Berger with her Euros save or Daphne van Domselaar in the Champions League final, also had big moments, but Hampton’s consistency over the full season stood out.
Goalscorer Award
This category is purely statistical, and Ewa Pajor’s numbers spoke for themselves. No real debate here.
Main Event – Ballon d’Or Féminin
As usual, the biggest talking point came with the main award. Several players with strong seasons, including Hannah Hampton and Lucy Bronze, were ranked lower than expected despite winning a domestic treble and the Euros.
The top two places generated the most discussion. Many anticipated a close contest between Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo, but the award ultimately went to Aitana Bonmatí.
While Bonmatí was named Player of the Tournament at the Euros, she scored just once there and her teams lost both the Champions League and Euros finals. By comparison, Caldentey lifted the Champions League and scored in the Euros final, while Russo won both competitions and outscored Bonmatí (19 goals vs. 15).
The Ballon d’Or is judged on three main criteria:
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Individual performance and decisive character – Russo had achievements like the WSL Golden Boot.
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Team performance and achievements – Russo’s teams won both major trophies, while Bonmatí’s did not.
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Class and fair play – interpretations vary, but some questioned Spain’s approach in the Euros final.
The decision has fueled debate, echoing past controversies where media and fans used terms like “robbed” or questioned perceived biases.
Wider Context and Past Controversies
This is not the first time such debates have arisen. In 2023, Lionel Messi’s win was questioned given Erling Haaland’s treble-winning season. In 2024, Real Madrid players reportedly skipped the ceremony when Rodri was widely expected to win.
For women’s football, the award has been dominated in recent years by Spanish players from Barcelona—five consecutive winners between Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí. While this reflects domestic and European success, it has raised questions about diversity in recognition.
There was also criticism of the Manager of the Year presentation, where Sarina Wiegman—three-time Euros winner and one of the most successful international managers—was mistakenly introduced as “Sabrina.” The error was seen by some as disrespectful, especially in contrast with how male managers are treated.
English-based players also appear to face challenges in the main awards. Despite the strength of the Premier League and WSL, only Michael Owen has won the Ballon d’Or as an English player. In total, players based in England have won seven times, compared to 24 winners from La Liga.
This isn’t new. Past examples include:
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2019: Megan Rapinoe winning ahead of Lucy Bronze.
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2022: Beth Mead, record Euros goalscorer and winner, losing out to Alexia Putellas, who missed the tournament through injury.
Final Thoughts
The Ballon d’Or aims to reward outstanding performance, yet the definition of “outstanding” often sparks debate. For some, domestic dominance is expected, especially from clubs like Barcelona. For others, unexpected achievements—like Chelsea’s unbeaten domestic treble—carry greater weight.
The question remains: are awards based strictly on statistics and trophies, or do other, less transparent factors come into play?
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