Women’s Ballon d’Or of the Year 2023: Nominees revealed for the Golden Ball

The Women’s Ballon d’Or remains a relatively new trophy on the world football scene, but lifting the Golden Ball is quickly becoming a dream for many of the world’s best players. And after a memorable 12 months for the women’s game, the shortlist of nominees for the 2023 award has been revealed.

The 2022-23 season was one dominated by Spanish football, as Barcelona won both their domestic title and the Champions League before La Roja sealed the World Cup in thrilling fashion after a superb tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

We will have to wait until the ceremony on Monday, October 30 to find out who claims the prize, but for now, here are the players who have been shortlisted for football’s ultimate individual honor:

^{Kadidiatou Diani (Lyon) France Football’s French Player of the Season, Diani was the top scorer in the league before scoring four more goals for France at the World Cup.}

^{Linda Caicedo (Real Madrid) The 18-year-old wonderkid has truly broken through, starring for Colombia at the World Cup while scoring the Goal of the Tournament against Germany.}

^{Alba Redondo (Levante) A vital player for Spain, scoring three times at the World Cup, she also won the Pichichi award for being the top goalscorer in the Liga F season with 28 finishes.}

^{Rachel Daly (Aston Villa) After moving to Aston Villa in August 2022, Daly scored 30 goals in as many matches before featuring for England in their run to the World Cup final.}

^{Fridolina Rolfo (Barcelona) A key player for Barcelona’s league and Champions League-winning team, the Sweden star also helped her side claim third at the World Cup.}

^{Olga Carmona (Real Madrid) The Real Madrid full-back scored in the World Cup semi-finals and finals as she became a World Cup-winning hero in her native Spain.}

^{Georgia Stanway (Bayern Munich) The midfielder helped Bayern claim the German title while leading England to the Finalissima, Arnold Clark Cup and a World Cup final.}

^{Amanda Ilestedt (Arsenal) Despite playing as a defender, the Swedish star was the World Cup’s second-top scorer with four goals as she helped her country finish third.}

^{Hayley Raso (Real Madrid) A key figure for hosts Australia at the World Cup with three goals, Raso was vital for Manchester City as well before completing a move to Real Madrid this summer.}

^{Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns) The U.S. women’s national team’s star of the present and future, Smith dominated the NWSL with 22 goals to win league MVP and, more importantly, a league title.}

^{Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona) Just 19 years old, the left winger scored the game-winner against the Netherlands in the World Cup quarter-final before scoring again in Spain’s 2-1 over Sweden in the semis to win the Best Young Player award at the tournament.}

^{Millie Bright (Chelsea) A rock-solid defender for both England and Chelsea, Bright served as captain of the Lionesses on their run to the final.}

^{Hinata Miyazawa (MyNavi Sendai) The Golden Boot winner at the World Cup, Miyazawa scored five goals while providing one assist during Japan’s run.}

^{Lena Oberdorf (Wolfsburg) The German star finished fourth for this award last year and is once again a nominee after another strong season for Wolfsburg and a World Cup trip with Germany.}

^{Daphne van Domselaar (Aston Villa) The Netherlands No. 1 at the World Cup, the goalkeeper was also vital for Twente in their two cup wins before signing with Aston Villa in June.}

^{Patricia Guijarro (Barcelona) Scored two of Barca’s three goals in the Champions League final against Wolfsburg, leading her side to a double this season.}

^{Sam Kerr (Chelsea) Australia’s hero saw her home World Cup derailed by injury issues, but that didn’t stop her from scoring against England in the semi-finals. At club level, she scored 29 goals in all competitions as Chelsea won the league.}

^{Ewa Pajor (Wolfsburg) Scored nine goals in the Champions League, four more than any other player, and opened the scoring in the final with one of her 31 total goals on the season.}

^{Debinha (KC Current) It was a tough World Cup for Debinha and Brazil, but her NWSL numbers speak for themselves: 18 goals and five assists split between the KC Current and North Carolina Courage during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.}

^{Guro Reiten (Chelsea) One of Chelsea’s most important players and one of the best on the ball in the world, Reiten also led Norway to the last 16 while amassing a total of 15 goals and 24 assists for club and country.}

^{Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona) The favorite to win the award, Bonmati won just about everything for club and country, starring for both Barcelona and Spain with 21 goals and 23 assists in all competitions.}

^{Alexandra Popp (Wolfsburg) Tied for second-top scorer at the World Cup, Popp scored in each of Germany’s matches after leading Wolfsburg to the German Cup.}

^{Atsushi TokumaruYui Hasegawa (Manchester City) Japan’s midfield star, Hasegawa was also named to the PFA Team of the Year for her performances in a holding role for Manchester City.}

Getty ImagesJill Roord (Manchester City)Scored four times at the World Cup and, after several years starring at Wolfsburg, made the move to Manchester City this summer for a club-record fee.

^{Katie McCabe (Arsenal) Her World Cup will be remembered for her miraculous Olimpico against Canada, but McCabe was also a key player for Arsenal on their run to the Champions League semis.}

^{Wendie Renard (Lyon) The oldest player on the list at 33, Renard’s reputation precedes her. She’s been one of the world’s best defenders for years and, after another fantastic season with Lyon, she’s back among the nominees.}

^{Asisat Oshoala (Barcelona) Another Barcelona star, the forward scored 29 goals in all competitions, including two in the World Cup, to lead Nigeria to the knockouts.}

^{Mary Earps (Manchester United) England’s superstar No. 1, the goalkeeper played every minute at the World Cup, conceding just four goals while earning the Golden Glove award for the tournament.}

^{Mapi Leon (Barcelona) Another key figure for Barcelona, the left-footed defender was a superstar as they went on to claim the treble.}

^{Khadija Shaw (Manchester City) The Jamaican star scored 20 goals while providing seven assists for Manchester City before taking her game to a new level at the World Cup by leading her country to the quarter-finals.}