Three of the four winners since the Ballon d’Or was expanded to include female footballers in 2018 are in the running again: Bonmati (2023), Spanish teammate Alexia Putellas (2021, 2022) and Norwegian Ada Hegerberg (2018).

Five members of the United States Olympic gold medal-winning team are also nominated: Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson, Lindsey Horan, Sophia Smith and Alyssa Naeher.

Balague: “Aitana Bonmati controls the game, has goals, assists, personality. She is developing fantastically with a team that has taken women’s football to a new dimension.”

“She has the high standards that every midfielder should aspire to, but as the Ballon d’Or is not just about football, she also represents the club and national team very well.”

“She is a reference for children in the stands and for children in the game. She is a great representative of football.”

Former England midfielder Fara Williams: “I would like to see Lindsey Horan in the top five, but my favorite would be Bonmati. It’s their IQ – their understanding of the game is on par with the best.

“She controls the Barcelona midfield – she really gets them going. Not only does she control it, but she adds goals and assists to her game. If you’re a midfielder and have those qualities, you’re really the key.”

Bay FC defender Jen Beattie: “I choose Trinity Rodman. She had an incredible season. What she did at the Olympics was incredible.”

“She is the perfect combination of speed and technical ability. The speed she achieves on the field is incredible.”

“She really deserves it. What she has done for the club and the country – that is what gives you a chance to win the Ballon d’Or. She succeeded at every level.”

Former England striker Ellen White: “Trinity Rodman could win, or Sophia Smith or Aitana Bonmati.

“But I want to express my gratitude to Barbra Banda. She had a fantastic Olympics with back-to-back hat-tricks. She is the second-leading scorer in the NWSL with 13 goals in 20 games.”