Ballon d'Or Féminin: history and past winners

France Football presented the inaugural Ballon d'Or Féminin to Norway's Ada Hegerberg in 2018, an award that recognises the player judged to have been the best during the previous season. Aitana Bonmatí has won the most Ballon d’Or Féminin (3).

The prize, officially called the Ballon d'Or Féminin, is handed out by France Football and was first awarded in 2018 to Ada Hegerberg. Only two players—French defender Wendie Renard and Australian striker Sam Kerr—were nominated every year from the award's inception through 2023. Barcelona skipper Alexia Putellas is the only player to win the award in consecutive years, claiming it in 2021 and 2022. In 2023 Mary Earps finished fifth, the highest placing ever achieved by a goalkeeper.

The ceremony traditionally takes place during the women's international break, which has frequently prevented shortlisted players from attending. In 2023 Georgia Stanway was unable to attend because an Olympic qualifying match in another country fell less than 24 hours before the ceremony; she voiced her disappointment at not being able to attend this "potentially once-in-a-lifetime opportunity". Stanway called for improved planning "with women in awareness so more female footballers could participate," and England head coach Sarina Wiegman expressed discontent that the scheduling clash with international duty would not properly reward the players' commitment.

Attendance figures underlined the problem in 2023 when only seven of the thirty shortlisted players were able to make the event because many had games the following day and missed training. Those who did attend were present to accept the award for Best Club Team of 2023, which went to Barcelona. The limited turnout highlighted the impact of international fixtures on the ceremony's accessibility for nominees.

Club representation is notable in the award's history: Barcelona's women have produced multiple individual winners, and the club has won the award the most times overall. Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí have each won the Ballon d'Or Féminin three times, contributing to Barcelona's tally.

Since 2023 there have been changes to scheduling, and many women’s footballers are now able to attend the ceremony. The adjustment in dates has increased the likelihood that shortlisted players can be present at future presentations.