Alexia Putellas leads market sentiment for a top-five finish in the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or after anchoring Barcelona’s historic quadruple-winning 2025/26 campaign, including Champions League glory where she earned UEFA Player of the Season honors with 20 goals and 13 assists. Absent three-time winner Aitana Bonmatí due to long-term injury, the October 26 ceremony in London features a wide-open race behind Putellas, with strong cases for Ewa Pajor’s 34-goal output, Melchie Dumornay’s European heroics at Lyon, Pernille Harder’s consistent scoring at Bayern, and Khadija Shaw’s WSL title-winning form at Manchester City. Nominee lists released in early September and club achievements across the Champions League continue to shape trader views ahead of the final vote.