Will anyone end Spain's domination of women's Ballon d'Or?

Spanish players have won five straight Women's Ballon d'Or awards; Alexia Putellas is favourite to claim a third title on Monday.

The Women's Ballon d'Or will be awarded on Monday night, with Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas heavily favoured to win for a third consecutive time after a dominant season with Barcelona.

Putellas scored 21 goals and provided 13 assists as Barcelona won a quadruple in May, including their third Champions League title in four years and seventh straight Liga F championship. She captained the side and her all-round influence has been central to their success. Spain's national team won the 2023 World Cup, reached the 2025 Euros final and won the Nations League in December, cementing the country's dominance of women's football.

Spain have six players on the 30-strong shortlist, more than any other nation. However, other contenders include Manchester City's Khadija Shaw, who scored 21 WSL goals to fire City to their first league title in a decade, and Arsenal's Alessia Russo, who scored nine Champions League goals. Barcelona's Poland forward Ewa Pajor, who scored 11 Champions League goals including a hat-trick in the final, is also in consideration. Bonmati, who won the past two awards, is ruled out due to a serious leg injury suffered in November 2025.