How many times has Marta won the Ballon d’Or? 2025 favorites could break records
Alexia Putellas and Alessia Russo lead the race as France Football prepares to unveil the nominees
The Women’s Ballon d’Or is among the most prestigious individual awards in football, recognizing the best female player in the world each year. With the 2025 nominees set to be announced this Thursday (August 7) by France Football, fans are already speculating who might take home the prize this time around.
Marta: The Queen of Women’s Football, But Not the Ballon d’Or
When it comes to greatness in women’s football, Marta Vieira da Silva known simply as Marta is often the first name that comes to mind. The Brazilian legend has won the FIFA World Player of the Year award six times (2006–2010, 2018), a record unmatched in the sport.
However, Marta has never won the Women’s Ballon d’Or, and there’s a reason: the award was only introduced in 2018 by France Football, well after Marta’s peak years. While she was honored during the period when FIFA and France Football co-hosted the Ballon d’Or (2010–2015), she has not received the updated France Football-only version of the prize.
A New Era: Putellas and Russo Battle for the 2025 Ballon d’Or
The last four Ballon d’Or Féminin awards have been dominated by FC Barcelona players:
- Alexia Putellas (2021, 2022)
- Aitana Bonmatí (2023, 2024)
For 2025, Alexia Putellas is again a leading contender after an impressive season with Barcelona, having won Liga F, the Copa de la Reina, and the Supercopa. Her closest challenger is Alessia Russo of Arsenal, who shined in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and Women’s Euro 2025, both of which ended with Arsenal and England as champions.
A win this year would make Putellas the first woman to win the Ballon d’Or three times, setting a new all-time record in this relatively young award’s history.
Marta’s 2025 Chances?
Despite strong performances at the Copa América Femenina, Marta is not expected to be among the top nominees this year. At 39, she remains a global icon, but the spotlight in 2025 is firmly on Europe’s rising and reigning stars.
