Shaw among women’s Ballon d’Or finalists after record-breaking City campaign
Key Points(5)
- Khadija “Bunny” Shaw has once again placed herself among the most celebrated players in women’s football, earning a place on the 30-player shortlist for the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or.
- The Jamaican superstar and Manchester City striker’s latest nomination comes after a remarkable campaign in which she helped deliver a historic domestic double while adding another Golden Boot to her growing collection of individual honors.
- For Shaw, the recognition represents a third consecutive appearance on the Ballon d’Or shortlist, following nominations in 2024 and 2025.
- The winner of the prestigious award will be announced at a ceremony in London on October 26, with this year’s event marking the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d’Or.
- A season built on goals and silverware Shaw’s nomination is underpinned by extraordinary production in front of goal.
Khadija “Bunny” Shaw has once again placed herself among the most celebrated players in women’s football, earning a place on the 30-player shortlist for the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or.
The Jamaican superstar and Manchester City striker’s latest nomination comes after a remarkable campaign in which she helped deliver a historic domestic double while adding another Golden Boot to her growing collection of individual honors.
For Shaw, the recognition represents a third consecutive appearance on the Ballon d’Or shortlist, following nominations in 2024 and 2025.
The winner of the prestigious award will be announced at a ceremony in London on October 26, with this year’s event marking the 70th anniversary of the Ballon d’Or.
A season built on goals and silverware
Shaw’s nomination is underpinned by extraordinary production in front of goal.
Across the season, she recorded 36 goals and 10 assists in 36 appearances, without receiving a yellow or red card.
Her most significant contribution came in Manchester City’s run to its first domestic double. Shaw scored 21 goals in 22 WSL appearances, finishing as the league’s leading scorer while helping City capture both the Women’s Super League title and the FA Cup.
The Golden Boot was particularly significant.
It was Shaw’s third consecutive WSL scoring title, making her the first player in league history to win three WSL Golden Boots. She moved beyond two-time winners Vivianne Miedema and Sam Kerr to claim sole possession of that distinction.
Her individual excellence was recognized with both the Professional Footballers’ Association Women’s Player of the Year award and the WSL Football’s Player of the Season honor.
Breaking records at Manchester City
Shaw’s latest campaign also strengthened her standing as one of Manchester City’s most prolific players.
She surpassed the 100-goal mark for the club last season and remains City’s all-time leading scorer.
She also owns the record for the most hat tricks in WSL history, another measure of the Jamaican’s extraordinary consistency and ability to turn dominance into decisive moments.
Her Manchester City résumé already includes the 2022 FA Women’s League Cup, while her latest league triumph adds another major domestic title to her collection.
Beyond England, Shaw has also established herself as one of the region’s defining players. She was named CONCACAF Player of the Year in 2022 and claimed the PFA Women’s Players’ Player of the Year award in both 2024 and 2025.
A Jamaican icon on the global stage
Shaw’s influence extends well beyond club football.
The Reggae Girlz captain has represented Jamaica 48 times and has scored 66 international goals, making her the country’s all-time leading goalscorer across the men’s and women’s national teams.
Her international career has included appearances at the 2019 and 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cups, further cementing her status as one of the most accomplished footballers Jamaica has produced.
That international record, combined with her achievements in England, has made Shaw an increasingly prominent figure on the global stage.
At 29, she remains at the heart of Jamaica’s ambitions while continuing to rewrite the record books at club level.
A star-studded Ballon d’Or field
Shaw’s inclusion places her alongside some of the biggest names in the women’s game.
Among the other nominees are her Manchester City captain Alex Greenwood, Arsenal forward Alessia Russo and Barcelona great Alexia Putellas, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner.
The shortlist also has a notable absence.
Barcelona’s Aitana Bonmatí, who won the award in each of the previous three years, was left out after missing a significant portion of the season because of a broken leg.
On the men’s side, the 2026 shortlist features a collection of global superstars, including Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Ousmane Dembélé and Kylian Mbappé. Lionel Messi is also listed following his recent announcement that he is retiring from football.
Another milestone in Shaw’s extraordinary rise
Shaw’s latest Ballon d’Or nomination adds another chapter to a career that has already taken her from Jamaica to the pinnacle of the women’s game.
She has combined individual scoring records with major team honors, while becoming the most prolific international goalscorer in Jamaican football history.
Now, for the third straight year, her name sits among the world's elite contenders for the sport’s most prestigious individual prize.
Whether she ultimately takes home the Ballon d’Or will be decided in London on October 26.
But the nomination itself reinforces what Shaw’s remarkable season has made increasingly difficult to dispute: Jamaica’s Bunny Shaw belongs among the very best players in world football.
