The 2025 Women’s Ballon d’Or is fast approaching, and the shortlist of 30 nominees showcases just how far the women’s game has come. Among the favorites are both established icons and rising stars whose brilliance has lit up the past seasons. Let’s take a closer look at the leading contenders — and what might tip the scales in their favor.
Who’s Closest to the Trophy?
This year’s top candidates include Aitana Bonmatí, Lucy Bronze, Alexia Putellas, and Ewa Pajor. Each offers a unique case — different roles, different strengths, but the same ultimate goal.
Aitana Bonmatí — Barcelona’s Brain and Engine
Bonmatí embodies the modern midfielder. In 2023/24 she was pivotal for Barça, recording crucial goals and assists in the league, and posting six goals and six assists in the Champions League. A proven winner with the ability to dictate tempo and step up in decisive moments, she remains one of the strongest contenders for the Ballon d’Or.
Lucy Bronze — Defensive Class with Winning Impact
Lucy Bronze continues to set the standard for full-backs worldwide: rock-solid in defense, dangerous going forward. For both club and country, she delivers calmness and consistency in the toughest matches. Clean sheets, decisive interventions, and leadership make her influence impossible to ignore.
Alexia Putellas — The Legend Returns
Back from a serious injury, Putellas is regaining her rhythm and proving once again why she’s a two-time Ballon d’Or winner. A leader in midfield who can still control games, score, and create in key moments, her experience and pedigree give her a strong case despite not yet reaching her pre-injury explosiveness.
Ewa Pajor — Poland’s Striking Sensation
One of the breakout stars of recent months, Pajor finished the 2024/25 season with a jaw-dropping 33 goals in 33 matches for Barcelona. Clinical finishing, penalty-box instincts, and composure under pressure make her the dark horse of this race. She doesn’t just score — she decides games.
Rising Stars to Watch
It’s not only about the established names — the shortlist also highlights talents destined for long-term greatness.
- Klara Bühl (Bayern Munich) — a winger equally adept at scoring and assisting, among Europe’s top creators in recent seasons.
- Patri Guijarro (Barcelona) — a midfielder with a big-game mentality, stepping up in Champions League clashes and proving she can carry her team.
These players may not win this year, but their trajectory points toward future Ballon d’Or battles.
Experience vs. Fresh Energy
When it comes to individual awards, experience often tips the balance.
- Marta — a living legend of Brazilian football, still decisive for her national team. Her status and legacy weigh heavily with voters.
- Pernille Harder — a proven leader across multiple leagues, consistently scoring and driving her teams forward.
The Ballon d’Or is about more than numbers — it’s also about leadership, impact under pressure, and shaping the game at the highest level.
The Stats That Matter Most
- Ewa Pajor — unmatched goal-scoring efficiency and consistency.
- Aitana Bonmatí — creativity and key passes, especially in Europe.
- Lucy Bronze — defensive stability, clean sheets, and reliability.
- Alexia Putellas — experience and decisive contributions in crunch matches.
Ultimately, it’s the big-game performances — finals, title deciders, international fixtures — that will decide the winner.
Who Will Win?
The 2025 Ballon d’Or race is wide open. Pajor’s incredible scoring run, Bonmatí’s creative mastery, Putellas’s leadership and comeback story, and Bronze’s consistency all make strong cases.
Whichever way the vote goes, the outcome will be a testament to the remarkable growth of women’s football. The spotlight is brighter, the competition fiercer, and the history being written more compelling than ever.
👉 All eyes now turn to the decisive matches — because that’s where Ballon d’Or legends are made.
