France Football has released the list of 30 players nominated to win the Ballon d’Or. The winner will be announced on 28 October, with several names standing out as favourites. Among them are Aitana Bonmatí and Caroline Graham Hansen, both FC Barcelona players, who have won every possible title.
Absolute Spanish dominance and, above all, that of FC Barcelona in this first list of the best in the world. The last three editions have been won by Aitana Bonmatí (2023) and Alexia Putellas (2022 and 2021). The current Ballon d’Or winner is one of the great favourites, as she has been the orchestra conductor of Barça and the Spanish national team. The player from Sant Pere scored 19 goals and 17 assists in 41 games.
The former Ballon d’Or winner, Alexia Putellas, has rediscovered her best form in the final stretch of the season after breaking her cruciate muscle. Everything suggests that she won’t be on the final podium, but the fact that her name is on the list is very positive. The Barça captain scored 11 goals and provided 27 assists for Barça.
We must talk about Graham Hansen. After several years of injustice, this list of nominees would be meaningless without the Norwegian. The striker broke all records and was a key player at Barça. In 40 games played, she scored a total of 32 goals and provided 29 assists. Scary numbers that made it much easier for the blaugranas to win everything possible. She has to be, at the very least, on the final podium.
Another of the azulgranas who returns to the list and who finished third last season is Salma Paralluelo. She was a key player in Barça’s attack, scoring 39 goals and providing 13 assists in 53 games. This is also largely thanks to coach Jonatan Giráldez, nominated for best coach in the world, who converted Salma into a centre-forward.
Patri Guijarro is another FC Barcelona player who has made this list. It has been many years that this name has been asked to be on the list of final candidates. It is impossible to understand the game of the azulgrana team without this midfielder. A lot of work in silence that has finally been valued.
And that’s not all for FC Barcelona’s candidates. New Wolfsburg signing Ewa Pajor has also been nominated thanks to her great performances in Germany: 25 goals and eight assists in 38 games. Also included are two former Barcelona players who have left for England, Lucy Bronze (Chelsea) and Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal). The inclusion of the Spaniard is great news, as she isn’t usually valued in this type of awards and has deserved it for many years.
The fact that Barça are the favourites to win the award for best team in the world is because of these players and because they have won everything. Players such as Engen, Walsh or Ona Batlle could also have been included, something that has been surprising. The Blue and Whites’ dominance has been total and, in addition, Spain‘s high level after winning the World Cup and the Nations League means that the best players want to start coming to the Liga F.
The total list of candidates is as follows:
- Aitana Bonmatí (FC Barcelona, Spain).
- Barbra Banda (Shanghai RCB/Orlando Pride, Zambia).
- Tarciane (Corinthians/Houston Dash, Brazil).
- Lauren Hemp (Manchester City, England).
- Trinity Rodman (Washington Spirit, USA).
- Ada Hegerberg (Olympique Lyon, Norway).
- Manuela Giugliano (AS Roma, Italy).
- Mallory Swanson (Chicago Red Stars, USA),
- Glodis Viggosdottir (Bayern Munich, Iceland).
- Mariona Caldentey (FC Barcelona/Arsenal, Spain).
- Lauren James (Chelsea FC, England).
- Lea Schüller (Bayern Munich, Germany),
- Patri Guijarro (FC Barcelona, Spain).
- Gabi Portilho (Corinthians, Brazil).
- Tabitha Chawinga (PSG/Olympique Lyon, Malawi),
- Caroline Graham Hansen (FC Barcelona, Norway).
- Lindsay Horan (Olympique Lyon, USA).
- Sjoeke Nüsken (Chelsea FC, Germany).
- Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City, Japan).
- Lucy Bronze (FC Barcelona/Chelsea, England).
- Ewa Pajor (Wolfsburgo/FC Barcelona, Poland).
- Alexia Putellas (FC Barcelona, Spain).
- Salma Paralluelo (FC Barcelona, Spain).
- Khadija Shaw (Manchester City, Jamaica).
- Grace Geyoro (PSG, France).
- Giulia Gwinn (Bayern Munich, Germany).
- Marie-Antoinette Katoto (PSG, France).
- Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns, USA).
- Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars, USA).
- Mayra Ramírez (Chelsea FC, Colombia).
Will Aitana Bonmatí repeat as Ballon d’Or winner, or will it finally be Graham Hansen’s time? The answer to this great dilemma will come on 28 October. Anyone is deserving of this prestigious award.
Translated by Marcos Rodríguez.
Main image: @FCBfemeni.
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