The Prestigious Feminine Ballon d’Or: Honoring the Women’s Player of the Year
The Ballon d’Or, an esteemed award in the world of soccer, has long been recognized as a symbol of excellence and achievement. While it has predominantly focused on honoring male players, the recognition of women’s achievements in the sport has gained significant momentum in recent years. In 2018, the prestigious Feminine Ballon d’Or was introduced as a means to honor the Women’s Player of the Year. This article delves into the origin of the Ballon d’Or, the significance of recognizing women’s achievements, the criteria for winning the Feminine Ballon d’Or, previous winners, and the controversies surrounding this esteemed award.
The Origin of the Ballon d’Or
The Ballon d’Or, French for “Golden Ball,” was established in 1956 by France Football magazine. It was initially created to honor the best male player in European football. The award gained prominence over the years and became one of the most prestigious individual accolades in the sport.
Recognition of Women’s Achievements
In light of the growing popularity and success of women’s football, there was a growing demand for recognition of female players. The need to celebrate their achievements and contributions to the sport led to the establishment of the Feminine Ballon d’Or.
The introduction of the Feminine Ballon d’Or has been a significant step towards gender equality in soccer. It showcases the growing recognition of women’s talent, skill, and dedication to the sport.
The Criteria for Winning the Feminine Ballon d’Or
The criteria for winning the Feminine Ballon d’Or mirror those of its male counterpart. The award is given to the best women’s player in the world over the course of the calendar year. A panel of international journalists, coaches, and national team captains vote for their top five nominees. The criteria include individual performance, team success, leadership, and sporting behavior.
The players who receive the most votes are shortlisted, and the winner is announced at a glamorous ceremony attended by some of the biggest names in football.
Previous Winners of the Feminine Ballon d’Or
The Feminine Ballon d’Or has seen several exceptional players being recognized for their outstanding performances. Here are the previous winners of this prestigious award:
List of Women’s Ballon d’Or (Ballon d’Or Féminin) Award Winners
| year | Player | Nationality | Club |
| 2023 | Aitana Bonmatí | Spain | Barcelona |
| 2022 | Alexia Putellas | Spain | Barcelona |
| 2021 | Alexia Putellas | Spain | Barcelona |
| 2020 | not awarded due t Covid-19 | ||
| 2019 | Megan Rapinoe | USA | Reign FC |
| 2018 | Ada Hegerberg | Norway | Olympique Lyonnais |
All three winners have left an indelible mark on women’s football and have showcased exceptional skill, leadership, and passion for the game.
2023 Women’s Ballon d’Or Nominees
The nominees for the 2023 Women’s Ballon d’Or are locked in and we can expect a new winner with two-time defending holder Alexia Putellas out of the running.
| Player Nominated | Club/Country |
| Aitana Bonmatí | Barcelona/Spain |
| Millie Bright | Chelsea/England |
| Linda Caicedo | Real Madrid/Colombia |
| Olga Carmona | Real Madrid/Spain |
| Rachel Daly | Aston Villa/England |
| Debinha | Kansas City Current/Brazil |
| Kadidiatou Diani | Lyon/France |
| Mary Earps | Manchester United/England |
| Patri Guijarro | Barcelona/Spain |
| Yui Hasegawa | Manchester City/Japan |
| Amanda Ilestedt | Arsenal/Sweden |
| Sam Kerr | Chelsea/Australia |
| Mapi Léon | Barcelona/Spain |
| Katie McCabe | Arsenal/Ireland |
| Hinata Miyazawa | Manchester United/Japan |
| Lena Oberdorf | VfL Wolfsburg/Germany |
| Asisat Oshoala | Barcelona/Nigeria |
| Ewa Pajor | VfL Wolfsburg/Poland |
| Salma Paralluelo | Barcelona/Spain |
| Alexandra Popp | VfL Wolfsburg/Germany |
| Hayley Raso | Real Madrid/Australia |
| Alba Redondo | Levante/Spain |
| Guro Reiten | Chelsea/Norway |
| Wendie Renard | Lyon/France |
| Fridolina Rolfö | Barcelona/Sweden |
| Jill Roord | Manchester City/Netherlands |
| Khadija Shaw | Manchester City/Jamaica |
| Sophia Smith | Portland Thorns/USA |
| Georgia Stanway | Bayern Munich/England |
| Daphne van Domselaar | Aston Villa/Netherlands |
Controversies Surrounding the Feminine Ballon d’Or
While the introduction of the Feminine Ballon d’Or has been a step forward, it has not been without controversy. One major controversy arose in 2018 when Ada Hegerberg was asked to twerk on stage after receiving the award. The incident highlighted the ongoing issues of sexism and lack of respect towards female athletes.
Another point of contention is the lack of exposure and media coverage of the Feminine Ballon d’Or compared to its male counterpart. This disparity further amplifies the challenges female athletes face in gaining recognition and equality in the sport.
Efforts are being made to address these controversies and create a more inclusive and respectful environment for women in football.
In conclusion, the introduction of the Feminine Ballon d’Or has been a significant milestone in recognizing and honoring the achievements of women in soccer. It represents a step towards gender equality and provides a platform to showcase the extraordinary talent and dedication of female players. While there have been controversies and challenges along the way, the Feminine Ballon d’Or continues to inspire and empower women in the world of football.
