What is the Ballon d'Or Féminin and why is it important for women's football?
The Ballon d'Or Féminin, also known as the Women's Ballon d'Or, is the most prestigious individual award in women's football.
It is presented by France Football, the same publication that created the original Ballon d'Or for men in 1956. The award honors the best female player in the world over the previous season, based on their performances, achievements, and impact on the game.
The Ballon d'Or Féminin was introduced in 2018, more than six decades after the men's award. This reflects the long history of discrimination, neglect, and marginalization that women's football has faced. For many years, women's football was banned, ridiculed, or ignored by the authorities, the media, and the public. Even today, women's football suffers from a lack of investment, exposure, and recognition compared to men's football.
However, women's football has also shown remarkable resilience, growth, and development over the years. More and more women and girls are playing the game, more and more clubs and leagues are being established, and more and more fans are watching and supporting the game. Women's football has also produced some of the most talented, inspiring, and influential players in the history of the sport.
The Ballon d'Or Féminin is a recognition of the excellence, diversity, and evolution of women's football. It is a celebration of the achievements, skills, and personalities of the players who have made the game what it is today. It is also a motivation for the players to strive for more, to challenge themselves, and to inspire others.
The Ballon d'Or Féminin has been awarded five times so far, to five different players from five different countries. The first winner was Ada Hegerberg of Norway, who scored more than 50 goals for Lyon in the 2017/18 season, including 15 in the Champions League. The second winner was Megan Rapinoe of the United States, who led her country to World Cup glory in 2019, scoring six goals and winning the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot. The third winner was Alexia Putellas of Spain, who captained Barcelona to a historic treble in 2021, scoring 37 goals and providing 27 assists. The fourth winner was also Alexia Putellas, who became the first and only player to win the award twice and in consecutive years, after another dominant season with Barcelona. The fifth and most recent winner was Aitana Bonmatí of Spain, who was a key player for Barcelona's unbeaten league campaign and their second consecutive Champions League title.
The Ballon d'Or Féminin is not just an award, it is a statement. It is a statement that women's football matters, that women's football is exciting, and that women's football is here to stay. It is a statement that women's football deserves respect, recognition, and support. It is a statement that women's football has its own stars, its own stories, and its own history. The Ballon d'Or Féminin is the ultimate accolade for women's football, and the ultimate aspiration for women's footballers.