Two England Stars Shine as Russo and Greenwood Make Women's Ballon d'Or Shortlist

Two England Stars Shine as Russo and Greenwood Make Women's Ballon d'Or Shortlist

England stars Alessia Russo and Alex Greenwood have been nominated for the women's Ballon d'Or, joining a prestigious list of 30 players. They are the only representatives from the Lionesses on the shortlist, as Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati, a three-time winner, is notably absent due to a significant injury this season. Alessia Russo, an Arsenal forward, had a remarkable individual campaign, finishing third in last year's voting and scoring 24 goals in 40 club appearances. Meanwhile, Alex Greenwood, the Manchester City captain, contributed to her team’s success by lifting both the Women's Super League and the FA Cup last season. Among the other nominees, Khadija Shaw, Greenwood’s teammate, also made the shortlist, having scored 21 goals in 22 league games last season. Alexia Putellas, a two-time winner, emerges as a favorite after her pivotal role in helping Barcelona clinch the Champions League. Caroline Weir, who transferred to Lyon from Real Madrid in June, is another notable nominee, having netted 20 goals in all competitions for her former club. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the award, established by France Football in 1956. The winner will be revealed at a ceremony in London on 26 October, a venue chosen to honor former England player Sir Stanley Matthews, the inaugural Ballon d'Or recipient.

Source: BBC Sport - 2026-09-08