With the 2026 Ballon d’Or Feminin ceremony approaching, four players stand out as leading contenders, but who has done enough to claim one of football’s biggest individual honours?

The Ballon d’Or Féminin has been dominated by Spanish players in recent years, with Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati sharing the last five awards.

However, Bonmati is absent from this year’s shortlist, leaving the door open for a new winner when the ceremony takes place in October.

Barcelona’s Putellas remains a leading contender, but she faces competition from teammate Claudia Pina, Arsenal midfielder Mariona Caldentey and OL Lyonnes star Melchie Dumornay.

Each has a compelling case, whether through individual statistics, major trophies or their influence on their respective teams.

So, who deserves to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or Feminin?

How Trophies Could Shape the 2026 Ballon d’Or Feminin Race

Team success has historically played a significant role in Ballon d’Or voting, making the silverware won during the 2025/26 season an important consideration.

Barcelona’s domestic and European dominance gives Pina and Putellas a particularly strong starting point. Both were part of the side that won the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Liga F, the Copa de la Reina and the Supercopa de España Femenina, while also helping Spain win the UEFA Women’s Nations League.

Dumornay also enjoyed a trophy-filled campaign, collecting three honours with OL Lyonnes, including the French league title and Coupe de France Feminine.

Caldentey’s achievements with Arsenal were different, with the midfielder helping the club win the FIFA Champions Cup and adding another international honour with Spain.

Other nominees have delivered outstanding individual seasons, but the combination of statistics, team success and international performances could prove decisive.

Claudia Pina: Barcelona’s Goalscoring Contender

Pina has developed from an important squad player into one of Barcelona’s most influential attacking options.

Her 2025/26 campaign included 32 goals and nine assists in 54 appearances, making her one of the most productive players in the shortlist.

She also won the Liga F Golden Boot after scoring 21 league goals, while contributing to Barcelona’s Champions League success.

Her performances for Spain strengthened her candidacy further. Pina scored four times during the Nations League campaign and added three goals in World Cup qualifying, including a goal in Spain’s 4-0 victory over England.

Those numbers make a compelling argument for the 24-year-old.

However, her Champions League performances could be a key factor in the comparison with Putellas. Pina did not start the final, a detail voters may consider when assessing her overall contribution to Barcelona’s European campaign.

With so many outstanding players at Barcelona, individual recognition can be difficult to secure.

Pina has the goals and trophies, but will voters consider her contribution significant enough to take the award?

Mariona Caldentey: The Case for an All-Round Midfielder

Caldentey finished second in last year’s voting and has another strong case despite a significant change in her role at Arsenal.

Operating in a deeper midfield position during the 2025/26 campaign, the Spain international scored 7 goals and provided 10 assists in 49 appearances.

Those numbers may not match Pina’s attacking output, but Caldentey’s influence extends beyond goals and assists.

Her ability to progress the ball, create chances, win possession and control the tempo of matches has made her a crucial part of Arsenal’s midfield.

She also contributed to Spain’s Nations League success and helped Arsenal win the FIFA Champions Cup.

At 30, Caldentey offers a different profile to the other leading contenders. Rather than being judged primarily on goalscoring, her candidacy rests on her ability to influence almost every phase of a match.

If voters look beyond attacking statistics, she could be a serious contender.

Melchie Dumornay: The Case for an Outside Contender

Dumornay could be the most intriguing candidate of the four.

The Haiti international recorded 21 goals and 12 assists in 36 appearances, while helping OL Lyonnes win three trophies during the season.

Her performances in the Champions League were particularly impressive. Despite not being among the club’s most-used players by minutes played in the competition, she led Lyonnes for goals, shots and shots on target.

Her attacking influence, ability to carry the ball and willingness to take on defenders make her one of the most exciting players in world football.

Dumornay has also continued to play a major role for Haiti, helping her country progress through international qualification.

The challenge is that individual brilliance does not always translate into Ballon d’Or votes, particularly when competing against players from Barcelona and Spain.

But Dumornay’s statistics demonstrate that she belongs in the conversation.

A win would represent a significant moment for Haiti and recognise a player whose influence extends well beyond the traditional European powerhouses.

Alexia Putellas: The Case for a Third Ballon d’Or

Putellas has perhaps the strongest overall case.

The Barcelona midfielder recorded 26 goals and 15 assists in 53 appearances, contributing 41 goals and assists during a season in which she won five trophies.

Her influence was particularly clear in the Champions League, where she finished among Barcelona’s leading performers for assists, chances created and attacking contributions.

She also delivered for Spain in both the Nations League and World Cup qualifying, reinforcing her credentials on the international stage.

Putellas’ move from Barcelona to London City Lionesses ahead of the 2026/27 season adds another layer to her story, but her candidacy should ultimately rest on her performances during the award period.

The 32-year-old has already won the Ballon d’Or twice, in 2021 and 2022. A third victory would put her back at the top of the individual game after Bonmatí’s three consecutive wins.

Her experience, statistics and contribution to Barcelona’s biggest victories make her difficult to overlook.

Who Should Win the 2026 Ballon d’Or Feminin?

All four players have credible arguments, but their cases are built on different strengths.

Pina has the goalscoring numbers, Caldentey offers all-round midfield influence, Dumornay has produced outstanding individual statistics outside the dominant Spanish teams, and Putellas combines productivity with success on the biggest stage.

If the award is decided primarily by goals and assists, Pina’s numbers make her difficult to ignore. If the emphasis is on influence across the pitch, Caldentey deserves serious consideration.

Dumornay could be rewarded for a remarkable season, but Putellas has the strongest overall case when her individual production, team honours and international contributions are considered together.

Striver.Football's verdict: Alexia Putellas deserves to win the 2026 Ballon d’Or Feminin.

Her 41 goal contributions, five trophies and decisive performances in Barcelona’s Champions League campaign make her a worthy favourite.

The question is whether voters will agree, or whether a new name will finally end Spain’s remarkable run of Ballon d’Or Feminin winners.