Arsenal star tipped to be first non-Spanish winner of Ballon d’Or since 2019 | OneFootball

Alessia Russo is leading the race to break Spain’s dominance of the Ballon d’Or Féminin, with her double-winning season for club and country putting her ahead of the pack.

Mundo Deprotivo 28 July 2025

Before the nominations were announced, Mundo Deportivo believed that Arsenal’s Alessia Russo had emerged as the frontrunner to end Spain’s dominance of the Ballon d’Or Féminin, following a season in which she won both the Champions League with Arsenal and the European Championship with England.

Now that we know the names on the list, some of the Spanish press are still predicting a Russo win.

No player outside Spain has claimed the award since 2019, but Russo’s decisive header in the Euro 2025 final and consistent club form have propelled her into contention.

Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

Russo scored 12 goals in the WSL and seven in the Champions League, adding two goals and three assists at the Euros, including the equaliser against Spain in Basel before Chloe Kelly’s winning penalty.

With a domestic and international double to her name, she is now tipped to succeed Aitana Bonmatí and become Arsenal’s first female Ballon d’Or winner.

Her main competition comes from club teammate Mariona Caldentey, whose early header gave Spain the lead in the final and who contributed 10 goal involvements in Arsenal’s European campaign.

Photo by Maja Hitij/Getty Images

But Russo’s ability to deliver in the biggest moments for both club and country has placed her firmly at the forefront of voters’ minds.

A Ballon d’Or for Russo would mark a shift away from the Spanish stranglehold on the trophy and crown a career-defining year for the Arsenal forward, underlining the club’s growing influence on the global stage.

Since its inception in 2018, Arsenal have only ever had one player place in the top three – Beth Mead, who came second to Alexia Putellas, in 2022.

Ballon d’Or nominees 2025

Arsenal women have seven nominees in the 30-name long list – Russo, along with Mariona Caldentey, Steph Catley, Emily Fox, Chloe Kelly, Frida Maanum and Leah Williamson.

Ballon d’Or long list

In addition, Renee Slegers is in the running for Women’s Coach of the Year, the whole Arsenal team are up for Team of the Year, Michelle Agyemang is in contention for the Kopa while Daphne van Domselaar is up for the Yashin Trophy.