Women’s Ballon d’Or Ranking 2026: Full Results and Top 30

The Ballon d’Or ranking 2026 women has been confirmed, with Alexia Putellas winning the award for the third time in her career. The Barcelona midfielder finished ahead of Ewa Pajor in second place and Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw in third at the ceremony held in London on 26 October 2026.

England international Alessia Russo finished ninth, placing her among the ten highest-ranked players in women’s football. Barcelona players featured prominently in the results, with several members of the squad finishing inside the top eight.

The ceremony marked the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d’Or awards and recognised players for their performances during the relevant season. Here is the complete ranking, the leading players’ results and what the outcome means for UK football supporters.

Who Won the Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026?

Alexia Putellas won the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or, adding another major individual honour to her career. The Spanish midfielder had previously won the award in 2021 and 2022.

According to UEFA’s report on Alexia Putellas winning the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or, she was recognised after an outstanding European campaign with Barcelona. She scored seven goals and provided seven assists in the 2025–26 UEFA Women’s Champions League, earning the competition’s Player of the Season award.

Ewa Pajor finished second, while Khadija Shaw secured third place after an impressive campaign with Manchester City. Their results placed players from Barcelona and the Women’s Super League among the leading names in the final vote.

The ceremony took place at the London Palladium on 26 October 2026. The event celebrated seven decades since the first Ballon d’Or was awarded to England’s Stanley Matthews in 1956.

Ballon d’Or Women Ranking 2026: Full Final Results

The official Ballon d’Or women ranking 2026 includes 30 players across the published positions, with three players tied for 28th place.

The following table reproduces the published ranking. You can also check the complete official Women’s Ballon d’Or rankings on the award’s website.

The ranking follows the official published list, including its club affiliations and three-way tie for 28th place. There are no separate 29th and 30th positions in the published results.

Alessia Russo Finishes Ninth in the 2026 Ballon d’Or

Alessia Russo finished ninth in the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or while representing Arsenal. Her position placed her among the top ten players recognised by the voting panel.

The England international has become an important attacking player for both club and country. Her nomination followed a period that included Arsenal’s European success and England’s victory at UEFA Women’s EURO 2025.

Russo’s result is particularly relevant to UK football supporters because she was one of the English representatives competing against leading players from Spain, France, Germany and other major footballing nations.

Arsenal teammate Mariona Caldentey finished 13th, while Manchester City’s Alex Greenwood placed 26th. These results gave English club football several representatives in the final top 30.

Although Russo did not win the individual award, her ninth-place finish confirmed her position among the highest-ranked nominees in the 2026 women’s competition.

Why Did Alexia Putellas Win the Award?

Putellas’s third Women’s Ballon d’Or reflects her contribution to Barcelona’s midfield and her performances during the club’s European campaign.

During the 2025–26 UEFA Women’s Champions League, she scored seven goals and provided seven assists. These figures helped her secure the competition’s Player of the Season award as Barcelona won the tournament.

Her 2026 victory followed her previous Ballon d’Or wins in 2021 and 2022. Winning again placed her among the small group of players to have received the women’s award three times.

However, the Ballon d’Or is an individual honour determined through voting. Its final ranking reflects the jury’s assessment of players’ performances and achievements rather than a simple comparison of goals scored or trophies won.

Barcelona Players Feature Prominently in the Rankings

Barcelona had a strong presence in the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or results. Putellas won the award, Pajor finished second, and Patri Guijarro, Caroline Graham Hansen and Clàudia Pina all placed inside the top eight.

Cata Coll, Mapi León and Esmee Brugts also appeared in the final ranking.

This spread of results demonstrates how several members of the same squad received individual recognition. Barcelona’s European success formed an important part of the season, while individual performances contributed to each player’s ranking.

The results also highlighted players from other clubs. Shaw finished third for Manchester City, Melchie Dumornay placed fourth for OL Lyonnes, and Pernille Harder finished seventh for Bayern Munich.

The final list therefore featured leading players from several clubs and countries, reflecting the competitive nature of women’s football across Europe and beyond.

What Does the Ranking Mean for English Women’s Football?

For UK readers, Alessia Russo’s ninth-place finish is one of the most notable outcomes of the 2026 awards.

Russo represented Arsenal in the ranking, while Shaw and Hasegawa represented Manchester City. Caldentey and Greenwood also featured in the top 30, giving Women’s Super League supporters several players to follow in the final results.

The ranking provides a snapshot of how players from English clubs compare with international rivals. It also gives supporters a useful reference point when following Arsenal, Manchester City and England’s national team.

Nevertheless, an individual award cannot measure every aspect of a player’s contribution. Tactical responsibilities, playing positions and performances across different competitions vary, so the final positions should be understood as the result of the Ballon d’Or voting process rather than a complete measure of each player’s ability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026?

Alexia Putellas won the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or. It was her third victory, following her previous wins in 2021 and 2022.

What was Alessia Russo’s Ballon d’Or ranking in 2026?

Alessia Russo finished ninth in the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or ranking while representing Arsenal and England.

Who finished second and third in the Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026?

Ewa Pajor finished second and Khadija Shaw finished third behind winner Alexia Putellas.

When was the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or ceremony?

The ceremony took place on 26 October 2026 at the London Palladium in London, England.

Which club had the most players near the top of the ranking?

Barcelona had five players in the top eight: Alexia Putellas, Ewa Pajor, Patri Guijarro, Caroline Graham Hansen and Clàudia Pina.

Where can readers find the official Women’s Ballon d’Or ranking?

Readers can view the official Women’s Ballon d’Or ranking on the award’s website, including the winner and the final positions.

Final Takeaway

Alexia Putellas topped the Ballon d’Or ranking 2026 women, winning the award for the third time after a successful season with Barcelona. Ewa Pajor and Khadija Shaw completed the top three, while England striker Alessia Russo secured ninth place for Arsenal.

The final results highlight Barcelona’s strong representation and the continued presence of Women’s Super League players among the leading nominees. For UK supporters, Russo’s top-ten finish is one of the key outcomes from the 2026 ceremony.

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