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

Spanish players have dominated the Women's Ballon d'Or for the past five years, so will they be celebrating again on Monday? Alessia Russo (left) and Khadija Shaw (right) are among the contenders seeking to deny Alexia Putellas (centre) a third Ballon d'Or When the Ballon d'Or for best female footballer is dished out on Monday night, the chances are it will be a familiar figure that lifts the coveted trophy. Spanish icons Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas have hoovered up the past five awards – and Putellas is favourite to win it for a third time. In May, the now London City Lionesses forward captained Barcelona to a quadruple, including a third Champions League trophy in four years and their seventh straight Liga F title.

Arguably, the only reason Bonmati is not in the running this time is because of a serious leg injury suffered on international duty in November 2025. So will Putellas clean up once again? Is this trophy yet another example of Spain's increasing dominance of the women's game? Or does anyone else on the 30-strong shortlist stand a chance of wrenching it from her grasp? In Barcelona, Spain boast the world's most dominant club side. The Catalans have contested seven of the past eight Champions League finals (winning four) and have been domestic champions every year