As the race for the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or heats up, several standout players have emerged as top contenders based on their remarkable performances over the past season.

1. Melchie Dumornay (OL Lyonnes/Haiti) - Despite a tough 4-0 loss to Barcelona in the Champions League final, the 23-year-old midfielder showcased her brilliance in Lyonnes’ domestic treble. Her pivotal role was evident when she returned from injury to lead her team to a 3-1 victory against Arsenal in the semi-finals, earning player-of-the-match honors.

2. Ewa Pajor (Barcelona/Poland) - After enduring five Champions League final defeats, Pajor finally shone, scoring two goals in the final against Lyonnes. With 11 goals in European competitions, she also tallied 16 goals in Liga F, making her one of the league's top scorers.

3. Khadija Shaw (Manchester City/Jamaica) - The only player to win three Women's Super League golden boots, Shaw scored 21 goals in 22 games, helping City to a league and FA Cup double. Her all-around game earned her both the PFA and FWA player of the year awards.

4. Alexia Putellas (London City Lionesses/Spain) - In her final season with Barcelona, Putellas returned to form, scoring seven goals in the Champions League and leading her team to a quadruple.

5. Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City/Japan) - Hasegawa was instrumental in City’s double success, earning a spot in the PFA team of the year and contributing to Japan’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup victory.

Other notable players include Alessia Russo (Arsenal/England), Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current/Malawi), and Claudia Pina (Barcelona/Spain), all of whom have made significant impacts in their respective leagues and international competitions.

With such a competitive field, the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or promises to be an exciting showdown.