Ballon d’Or Feminin: Every winner of women’s football’s top individual honour

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The Ballon d’Or was created to honour the best footballer, initially just from Europe but later the world, in 1956.

But it wasn’t until 2018 that France Football, the iconic publication that has handed out the award for most of its history, also created a female equivalent – the Ballon d’Or Feminin.

As the women’s game continues to grow and grow in popularity, the winners of the award have already become household names of football as a whole.

Here’s who is on the Ballon d’Or Feminin roll of honour so far.

Ada HegerbergAda Hegerberg

Ada Hegerberg was the first recipient of the Ballon d’Or Feminin / FRANCK FIFE/GettyImages

2nd: Pernille Harder
3rd: Dzsenifer Marozsan

Lyon superstar Ada Hegerberg was a deserving first ever winner of the Ballon d’Or Feminin when she was presented with the trophy in 2018.

Hegerberg had finished the 2017/18 club season with more than 50 goals, including 15 in the Champions League. She had also started 2018/19 in blistering fashion, ensuring she stood out as the very best in 2018.

Megan RapinoeMegan Rapinoe

Megan Rapinoe led USA to World Cup glory in 2019 / Marc Atkins/GettyImages

2nd: Lucy Bronze
3rd: Alex Morgan

Megan Rapinoe dominated the headlines on and off the pitch in 2019, making her voice heard in the fight for gender equality and later emerging as the star of the World Cup.

The American scored all four of her country’s goals in quarter-final and semi-final wins, as well as in the final. She finished with the World Cup trophy and with individual Golden Ball and Golden Boot prizes.

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic resulted in France Football deciding not to go ahead with the Ballon d’Or awards in 2020.

Only January and February saw matches played in normal conditions, and even once games resumed, unusual circumstances – such as playing behind closed doors – made judging on normal merits difficult. Some players also saw competitions cancelled, making comparisons unfair.

Alexia PutellasAlexia Putellas

Putellas was a deserved winner / FRANCK FIFE/GettyImages

The 2021 Ballon d’Or Feminin was always going to a Barcelona player – they did when the treble after all – the only question was: which one?

In the end, Alexia Putellas was that lucky someone, as she become only the second-ever win of the gong.

She enjoyed a terrific year personally, registering an astonishing 37 goals and 27 assists as she captained Barcelona to a string of incredible victories.

2nd Jennifer Hermoso
3rd: Sam Kerr