Caroline Weir Earns Second Consecutive Women's Ballon d'Or Nomination

Scotland captain Caroline Weir has been included on the 30-player shortlist for the 2026 Women's Ballon d'Or. The official Ballon d'Or website confirmed the nominees on Tuesday, and BBC Sport reported that Weir earned her place after scoring 20 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid last season.

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The nomination is Weir's second in succession. She became the first Scottish player to be shortlisted for the award in 2025, according to BBC Sport. Her return to the list follows a final campaign in Spain that preceded a summer move to French champion Lyon.

Weir joined Lyon in June on a three-year contract after four seasons with Real Madrid. BBC Sport reported at the time of the transfer that the midfielder scored 63 goals in 125 appearances for the Spanish club. She was voted Real Madrid's player of the year in 2023 and 2025, and had also previously been named the Spanish league's player of the year.

The 30-year-old enters a field that includes England players Alessia Russo and Alex Greenwood. BBC Sport said Russo scored 24 goals in 40 club appearances for Arsenal during the campaign, while Manchester City captain Greenwood won the Women's Super League and FA Cup. Other nominees confirmed by the award organisers include Alexia Putellas, Khadija Shaw, Ewa Pajor, Melchie Dumornay and Wendie Renard.

Aitana Bonmati, who won the women's Ballon d'Or in each of the previous three years, is not on the 2026 shortlist. BBC Sport reported that the Barcelona midfielder missed a significant portion of the season with a broken leg. The absence ensures that this year's result will produce a different winner.

The Ballon d'Or organisers list Weir with both Real Madrid and Lyon, reflecting her change of club during the award period. Her nomination recognises the season considered by the selection panel, while the final ranking will be decided through the award's voting process. The ceremony is scheduled for 26 October in London, according to an announcement published by Barcelona after the nominees were revealed.