Honouring Excellence in the Women’s Ballon d’Or Journey

When France Football announced in 2018 that it would honour the best female footballer in the world with a Ballon d’Or of her own, the news felt overdue. For decades the men’s award had stood as the pinnacle of individual recognition, yet the women’s game—richer in talent and drama every year—had no equivalent. The Ballon d’Or Féminin changed that. In the few years since, it has become the most coveted individual prize in women’s football, a yearly reminder of how far the sport has come and how brightly its stars can shine.

The first name engraved on the trophy was Ada Hegerberg’s. In 2018 the Norwegian striker powered Olympique Lyonnais to another Champions League triumph and set a new benchmark for goal scoring. Her win announced to the world that the award would recognise true dominance on the pitch, not just popularity. A year later it was Megan Rapinoe’s turn. Fresh off leading the United States to victory at the 2019 Women’s World Cup, Rapinoe embodied the mix of technical brilliance, leadership and social impact that makes this honour so meaningful.

Then came 2020 and the silence of the pandemic. With seasons cut short and competitions postponed, France Football chose not to present the award, a decision that underscored how fragile the sporting calendar had become. But when football returned, it did so with a vengeance. In 2021 and again in 2022, Spain’s Alexia Putellas, the creative heartbeat of FC Barcelona, claimed back-to-back Ballons d’Or. Her artistry and consistency made her the face of a new era and highlighted the rise of Spanish women’s football.

The spotlight soon shifted to another Catalan star. Aitana Bonmatí stepped into the role of midfield conductor for both Barcelona and Spain, steering her club to Champions League glory and her country to a World Cup title. She captured the Ballon d’Or in 2023, repeated the feat in 2024, and in 2025 achieved something unprecedented: a third consecutive win. No woman had ever done it before, and only legends like Lionel Messi and Michel Platini had matched such a streak in the men’s game. Bonmatí’s run not only confirmed her as the defining player of her generation but also illustrated the growing depth and dominance of Spanish football.

The award’s short history already tells a larger story about the women’s game. From Hegerberg’s relentless finishing to Rapinoe’s World Cup heroics, from Putellas’s vision to Bonmatí’s command of midfield, each winner has brought a different style and narrative. The Ballon d’Or Féminin is not merely about goals or trophies; it celebrates resilience, leadership and the ability to elevate a team and a sport. For fans, it is a yearly celebration of football at its most creative and courageous. For players, it is proof that their achievements stand on the same global stage as their male counterparts.

Looking ahead, the award will continue to evolve as women’s football grows in reach and investment. New leagues are flourishing, youth development is stronger than ever, and nations beyond the traditional powerhouses are producing world-class talent. The next winner may come from a country or club that has never lifted the trophy before, reflecting a game that is becoming ever more global.

From the first presentation in 2018 to Bonmatí’s historic three-peat, the Women’s Ballon d’Or has already chronicled a revolution. It honours not only the brilliance of individual players but also the collective progress of the sport itself—a reminder that women’s football is not just catching up, it is setting standards of its own.