Five England players nominated for women’s Ballon d’Or

Five of England’s Euro 2025-winning squad were nominated for the women’s Ballon d’Or award on Thursday.

Captain Leah Williamson, Lucy Bronze, Alessia Russo, Chloe Kelly and Hannah Hampton all made the 30-player list after England successfully defended their title in Switzerland.

England beat world champions Spain on penalities in the final last month and both countries have five players on the list.

Chelsea full-back Bronze, 33, was a Ballon d’Or runner-up in 2019.

Arsenal Michelle Agyemang, 19, has been nominated for the Women’s Kopa Trophy, awarded to the best women’s footballer under 21 after she was named the young player of the tournament at Euro 2025.

England goalkeeper Hampton, 24, played a key role in her country’s win and in Chelsea’s domestic treble-winning season.

Spain’s two-time Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas have also been nominated.

Midfielder Bonmati, 27, won the Spanish league title with Barcelona and was named the Best Player of the Tournament at the Women’s Euro 2025.

Bonmati won the last two Ballon d’Ors. 

Barcelona captain Putellas, a winner in 2021 and 2022, has also been shortlisted. 

Arsenal, the English Women’s Super League runners-up, are the club with the most nominees, with seven in total.

The evergreen Brazilian Marta, 39, has been nominated after her latest Copa America title. The Orlando Pride forward is the oldest nominee.

Chelsea’s French international winger Sandy Baltimore, 25, also made the list for the first time. 

The winner will be announced at a ceremony in Paris on September 22.