Ballon d'Or 2026: Russo and Greenwood nominated

England forwards Alessia Russo and Alex Greenwood have been named among the 30 players shortlisted for the women's Ballon d'Or for 2026. The duo stand as the only representatives from the Lionesses to secure a place on the prestigious list for this year's awards.

Arsenal striker Russo finished third in the voting last year and continued her stellar form by netting 24 goals across 40 club appearances. Meanwhile, Manchester City captain Greenwood led her squad to glory by lifting both the Women's Super League and the FA Cup last season, alongside club teammate Khadija Shaw who also earned a nomination after scoring 21 goals in 22 league matches.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

Notable absentees include Barcelona's Aitana Bonmati, who claimed the award for the past three consecutive years but was forced to sit out a significant portion of the campaign following a broken leg. This absence opens the door for two-time winner Alexia Putellas, who is considered a strong favorite after guiding Barcelona to Champions League success.

Other prominent names on the shortlist include Scotland's Caroline Weir, who moved to Lyon from Real Madrid, alongside international stars representing clubs across Europe. The winner of the 2026 Ballon d'Or will be officially announced at a gala ceremony in London on October 26.

Source: BBC Sport