Alexia Putellas Wins Third Women’s Ballon d’Or as Bunny Shaw Finishes Third

Reggae Girlz captain Khadija “Bunny” Shaw finished third in the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or, the highest ranking ever by a Jamaican in the award’s history. The Manchester City striker earned the honour after scoring 21 goals in 22 Women’s Super League matches, helping City win the league and FA Cup while collecting her third straight Golden Boot.

Harry Kane won his first Ballon d’Or in London after a record 73-goal season for Bayern Munich and England, while Alexia Putellas took the women’s prize for a third time. Barcelona teen Lamine Yamal won the young player award again, Luis de la Fuente was named men’s coach of the year, and Bukayo Saka received the Socrates award.

Khadija “Bunny” Shaw finished third in the women’s Ballon d’Or, the highest placement ever by a Jamaican in football’s top individual award. Spain’s Alexia Putellas won for the third time after helping Barcelona to four trophies, with teammate Ewa Pajor placing second.

Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas won her third women’s Ballon d’Or after starring for Barcelona in a trophy-filled season, including the Women’s Champions League, and helping Spain win the Women’s Nations League. The 32-year-old, now with London City Lionesses, ended teammate Aitana Bonmati’s three-year run after Bonmati missed the shortlist because of injury.

Harry Kane is the favourite to win the Ballon d’Or in London, after scoring 73 goals for Bayern Munich and England last season, though Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe remain strong challengers. In the women’s race, Alexia Putellas leads after Barcelona’s Champions League win, with Aitana Bonmati likely to lose her title.

Khadija “Bunny” Shaw is in contention to become the first Jamaican to win the Ballon d’Or, with the 2026 women’s award to be announced in London. The Reggae Girlz captain earned her third nomination after scoring 21 goals for Manchester City, winning the WSL golden boot, the league title and the FA Cup, boosting Jamaica’s global profile.

The Ballon d’Or winners will be announced today in London, with Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappé, Harry Kane and Lionel Messi leading the men’s race. In the women’s award, Alexia Putellas is favoured after Aitana Bonmati’s injury ruled her out, as the ceremony marks a possible changing of the guard in world football.