Image source, Getty Images

Third group of players and third mention for Arsenal.

American right-back Emily Fox makes it a hat-trick for the Gunners among the nominees so far.

• Lucy Bronze (Chelsea & England)
• Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride & Zambia)
• Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona & Spain)
• Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea & France)
• Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal & Spain)
• Klara Buhl (Bayern Munich & Germany)
• Sofia Cantore (Washington Spirit & Italy)
• Steph Catley (Arsenal & Australia)
• Melchie Dumornay (Lyon & Haiti)
• Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current & Malawi)

• Emily Fox (Arsenal & USA)
• Cristiana Girelli (Juventus & Italy)
• Esther Gonzalez (Gotham & Spain)
• Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona & Norway)
• Patri Guijarro (Barcelona & Spain)

*Those in bold are the latest five to be added to the shortlist

Image source, Getty Images

Arsenal and Australia defender Steph Catley joins her team-mate Caldentey in the Women's Ballon d'Or shortlist.

Sofia Cantore who played a pivotal role in Italy reaching the semi-finals of Euro 2025 also finds her place in the list.

• Lucy Bronze (Chelsea & England)
• Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride & Zambia)
• Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona & Spain)
• Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea & France)
• Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal & Spain)
• Klara Buhl (Bayern Munich & Germany)
• Sofia Cantore (Washington Spirit & Italy)
• Steph Catley (Arsenal & Australia)
• Melchie Dumornay (Lyon & Haiti)
• Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current & Malawi)

*Those in bold are the latest five to be added to the shortlist

Image source, Getty Images

We'll be bringing these to you in groups with a recap of the full list at the end.

The first five are up and it's a double nomination for Chelsea with both Sandy Baltimore and England's Lucy Bronze in the running.

Spain and Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati, who has won the award both in 2023 and 2024, is once again on the shortlist.

• Lucy Bronze (Chelsea & England)
• Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride & Zambia)

• Aitana Bonmati (Barcelona & Spain)
• Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea & France)
• Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal & Spain)

And Lucy Bronze is the first name on the board...

The England defender, 33, played through their successful Euro 2025 campaign with a fractured left tibia!

OK, we are back with the Women's Ballon d'Or nominees. We will have 30 in the shortlist.

Coming up any time now...

From 2010 to 2015, Fifa collaborated with France Football on the award, which was known as the Fifa Ballon d'Or.

Fifa now give out their own separate prize, called the Fifa Best player award, but its lack of long-term history means the Ballon d'Or is generally considered more prestigious.

The way in which the Ballon d'Or is awarded has changed significantly since it was first created in 1956.

Until 1995, only European footballers were eligible for the award. Then, for the next 12 years, players of any origin playing for a club in Europe were eligible. Only from 2007 onwards have all players worldwide been included.

Between 2007 and 2015, the captain and manager of each Fifa-recognised international team was invited to participate in the final vote, but both prior to that period and since then, only journalists have contributed.

Prior to 2022, voting was based on a player's performances over the course of a calendar year – comprising half of two separate seasons in most elite leagues – before being changed to encompass a single full season.

Puskas Award, for the best goal of the year, is part of The Best Fifa Football Awards.

What's the difference you ask?

Image source, Getty Images

• 2000 - Luis Figo - Portugal and Real Madrid
• 2001 - Michael Owen - England and Liverpool
• 2002 - Ronaldo - Brazil and Real Madrid
• 2003 - Pavel Nedved - Czech Republic and Juventus
• 2004 - Andriy Shevchenko - Ukraine and AC Milan
• 2005 - Ronaldinho - Brazil and Barcelona
• 2006 - Fabio Cannavaro - Italy and Real Madrid
• 2007 - Kaka - Brazil and AC Milan
• 2008 - Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal and Manchester United
• 2009 - Lionel Messi - Argentina and Barcelona
• 2010 - Lionel Messi - Argentina and Barcelona
• 2011- Lionel Messi - Argentina and Barcelona
• 2012 - Lionel Messi - Argentina and Barcelona
• 2013 - Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal and Real Madrid
• 2014 - Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal and Real Madrid
• 2015 - Lionel Messi - Argentina and Barcelona
• 2016 - Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal and Real Madrid
• 2017 - Cristiano Ronaldo - Portugal and Real Madrid
• 2018 - Luka Modric - Croatia and Real Madrid

• 2019 - Lionel Messi - Argentina and Barcelona
• 2020 - Not awarded due to Covid-19 pandemic
• 2021 - Lionel Messi - Argentina and Paris St-Germain
• 2022 - Karim Benzema - France and Real Madrid
• 2023 - Lionel Messi - Argentina and Inter Miami
• 2024 - Rodri - Spain and Manchester City

15 minutes to go for Ballon d'Or nominations, says Ballon d'Or on X!

We haven't had an update for a while now, but we assume it's the shortlist for the Women's Ballon d'Or that is coming up next...

We feel you, James!

But surely the main event is not too far away now?

Image source, Getty Images

Two English clubs in the Men's Club of the Year shortlist too as Premier League winners Liverpool are joined by Fifa Club World Cup winners Chelsea, who are nominated in both categories.

• Barcelona (Spain)
• Botafogo (Brazil)
• Chelsea (England)
• Liverpool (England)
• Paris St-Germain (France)

Image source, Getty Images

And we repeat for the Men's Club of the Year award...

Image source, Getty Images

Two Women's Super League sides among the five nominees for the Women's Club of the Year - English champions Chelsea and European champions Arsenal.

• Arsenal (England)
• Barcelona (Spain)
• Chelsea (England)
• OL Lyonnes (France)
• Orlando Pride (United States)

Moving on to the Women's Club of the Year prize now...