**Alexia Putellas leads the race for the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or after Barcelona’s historic quadruple, positioning her as the clear frontrunner with strong all-round contributions including Champions League Player of the Season honors.** The 30-nominee shortlist, released in early September, sets the field for the October 26 ceremony in London, where journalists rank players from 1–10. Ewa Pajor sits closest behind on the back of 11 Champions League goals and 34 total strikes, while Melchie Dumornay, Pernille Harder, and Khadija Shaw round out the next tier based on European performances and goal tallies. Aitana Bonmatí’s long-term injury absence opens the door for Putellas to claim a third title, but depth from multiple Barcelona and Manchester City players keeps the top-10 battle competitive among the shortlisted group. The final vote remains fluid until ballots close.