**Alexia Putellas leads the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or race as the clear frontrunner following the September 8 shortlist announcement.** Her standout campaign at Barcelona—delivering 20 goals and 13 assists en route to a historic quadruple that included the Champions League—positions her for a potential third career win, especially with three-time winner Aitana Bonmatí sidelined by injury and absent from the 30 nominees. Strong challengers include Ewa Pajor (Barcelona’s Champions League top scorer with 11 goals), Melchie Dumornay, Pernille Harder, and Khadija Shaw, whose WSL title and Golden Boot form have kept them in contention. The October 26 ceremony in London remains the decisive catalyst, where guild-style voting by journalists and captains will determine final placements amid an unusually open field.