Five England players nominated for women's Ballon d'Or
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.
Nominees
Lucy Bronze (ENG/Chelsea),
Barbra Banda (ZAM/Orlando Pride),
Aitana Bonmati (ESP/ Barcelona),
Sandy Baltimore (FRA/Chelsea),
Mariona Caldentey (ESP/Arsenal),
Klara Buehl (GER/Bayern),
Sofia Cantore (ITA/Juventus),
Steph Catley (AUS/Arsenal),
Melchie Dumornay (HAI/Lyon),
Temwa Chawinga (MWI/Kansas City),
Emily Fox (USA/Arsenal),
Cristiana Girelli (ITA/Juventus),
Esther Gonzalez (ESP/Gotham FC),
Caroline Graham Hansen (NOR/Barcelona),
Patri Guijarro (ESP/ Barcelona),
Amanda Gutierres (BRA/Palmeiras),
Hannah Hampton (ENG/Chelsea),
Pernille Harder (DEN/Bayern),
Lindsey Heaps (USA/Lyon),
Chloe Kelly (ENG/Arsenal),
Marta (BRA/Orlando Pride),
Frida Leonhardsen Maanum (NOR/Arsenal),
Ewa Pajor (POL/Barcelona),
Clara Mateo (FRA/Paris FC),
Alessia Russo (ENG/Arsenal),
Claudia Pina (ESP/Barcelona),
Alexia Putellas (ESP/Barcelona),
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (SWE/Chelsea),
Caroline Weir (SCO/Real Madrid),
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
eNCA
15 hours ago
- eNCA
Five Premier League talking points
AFP | Peter PARKS LONDON - Liverpool begin their bid for a record 21st English title on Friday, with Arne Slot's revamped side installed as favourites to retain the Premier League crown. Arsenal and Manchester City are the main contenders to end Liverpool's reign, while Chelsea and Manchester United have questions to answer. AFP Sport looks at five talking points ahead of the start of the 2025-26 season: Champs Liverpool in pole position AFP | Glyn KIRK When Liverpool host Bournemouth in the opening match of the top-flight season, the Reds will put on display an expensively overhauled team carrying great expectations. Liverpool haven't been crowned champions in successive campaigns since 1982-83 and 1983-84. Emulating the feat of Kenny Dalglish, Ian Rush and company would take the Anfield club past Manchester United into sole possession of the most English titles. Chasing that target, while also competing for the Champions League, convinced boss Arne Slot to invest from a position of strength as Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez headlined a £256 million ($343 million) summer spree. Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz have departed but Slot sees encouraging signs from a new-look attack that could yet include Newcastle striker Alexander Isak. "Last season we had a lot of ball possession but that didn't always lead to promising situations. Now, we are better in creating than we were throughout the whole of last season," he said. Can Arsenal get over the line? AFP | Glyn KIRK After finishing as runners-up for the last three seasons, Arsenal believe they are ready to end their long wait to win the Premier League. Mikel Arteta's side blew golden opportunities in the title race in 2023 and 2024, but last season was a frustrating injury-plagued affair that petered out with Liverpool 10 points ahead of them. Arsenal haven't won the title since 2004 and their only major trophy under Arteta is the 2020 FA Cup. Having spent over £180 million on Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi, Christian Norgaard, Noni Madueke and Kepa Arrizabalaga, Arteta is confident Arsenal can reach the promised land at last. "We have been very close the last few seasons. We know what our targets are. There is a big belief in our ability to achieve that," he said. Man City face long road back to the top AFP | CHANDAN KHANNA Pep Guardiola has spent the close season engaged in a desperate attempt to halt Manchester City's decline. Continuing a major overhaul that started in the January transfer window, Guardiola has signed Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and James Trafford. With Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker leaving and Jack Grealish also on the way out, it has been a summer of change at the Etihad Stadium. Whether Guardiola's wheeling and dealing can take City back to the summit after a first trophyless season since 2017 is another matter. Champions in six of the last eight seasons, City looked shockingly vulnerable during their slump to a third-place finish, while concerns remain over the durability of midfield talisman Rodri after his serious knee injury. Chelsea's world champs aim high AFP | HENRY NICHOLLS Fresh from their surprise Club World Cup success, Chelsea will look to carry the momentum into the domestic campaign. Enzo Maresca's men returned from the United States buoyed by their impressive 3-0 victory over Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain in the final, but are they for real? The Blues had the youngest average age of a starting line-up across an entire Premier League season in the competition's history last term. Despite a turbulent campaign, Chelsea finished fourth to qualify for the Champions League and also won the UEFA Conference League. Now emerging stars Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez are joined by new recruits Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Jamie Gittens, Estevao Willian and Jorrel Hato as Chelsea set their sights even higher. Man Utd eye redemption AFP | KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI Chastened by their lowest finish since 1973-74, Manchester United hope a complete revamp of their attack can inspire a redemptive season. Ruben Amorim's side ended 15th in the Premier League and suffered a toothless 1-0 defeat against fellow strugglers Tottenham in the Europa League final -- a loss that cost them a place in the Champions League. It was an appropriately limp conclusion to a humiliating season and Amorim is under intense pressure to turn the tide after spending £200 million on forwards Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. Marcus Rashford has joined Barcelona on loan, with Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho and Rasmus Hojlund all likely to leave Old Trafford as Amorim tries to wake the sleeping giant. By Steven Griffiths
The South African
16 hours ago
- The South African
Is Mohau Nkota questioning Ouaddou's tactics at Pirates?
Former Orlando Pirates winger Mohau Nkota appears to be questioning his former coach, Abdeslam Ouaddou's tactics. The 20-year-old attacker recently left the Buccaneers to join Saudi Arabian side El Ettifaq. Before his move, Nkota trained with Pirates during pre-season under Ouaddou. Speaking on Metro FM's Sports Night Amplified, the former Pirates fan favourite said the coach should mix up his midfield and rotate players. So far, the Buccaneers have played two matches this season, winning one and losing another. ADVERTISEMENT Mohau Nkota wants Pirates 'to shuffle' 'I think most of the time they play the ball at the back,' said Nkota. 'I think man, the coach should shuffle man. He must shuffle, he must shuffle the midfield man. You have a lot of players man, in the midfield, because there's a big game coming ahead of them,' he said ahead of Pirates' clash with Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8. 'I think for me, you have a lot of quality on the bench and even up there on the stands.' Nkota won the MTN8 with Orlando Pirates in his debut season and also helped the club reach the semi-finals of the CAF Champions League. The winger scored seven goals and provided five assists in 39 matches across all competitions in the 2024/25 campaign. He also earned a cap for Bafana Bafana early this year. Do you agree with Nkota? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. ADVERTISEMENT Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
17 hours ago
- The South African
Cristiano Ronaldo puts a ring on it: See the massive engagement ring
After nearly a decade of romance, football icon Cristiano Ronaldo is officially engaged to his long-term partner, Georgina Rodriguez. Rodriguez, 31, confirmed the news in an Instagram post on Monday, showcasing a dazzling diamond ring on her finger as it gently rests on Ronaldo's hand. She captioned the photo: 'Yes I do. In this and in all my lives.' The announcement was met with a wave of congratulations from fans, celebrities, and fellow athletes around the world. A Love Story Nine Years in the Making The couple's journey began in 2016, when Rodriguez was working as a sales assistant at a Gucci store in Madrid. Their chance meeting quickly blossomed into one of football's most high-profile relationships. Together, they have built a family, raising their two daughters – Alana Martina, 7, and Bella Esmeralda, 3. Ronaldo also has three other children from previous surrogacy arrangements, with Rodriguez often referring to all of them as 'our kids' in interviews and social media posts. Now 40, Cristiano Ronaldo is still going strong on the field. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner recently extended his contract with Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2027. His career move to Saudi Arabia has also seen Rodriguez and the family settle into life in the Middle East, where they continue to attract global media attention. While no wedding date has been announced yet, fans are already speculating about where the ceremony might take place – with options ranging from Portugal to Dubai. After nearly a decade, five children, and a life lived largely in the public eye, the engagement marks a significant and joyous milestone for one of sport's most famous couples. Congratulations Cristiano and Georgina! Post your congratulations below, by … Leaving a comment below, or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
