Spain's Aitana Bonmati aims to retain Ballon d'Or Feminin with Lindsey Horan nominated

Spanish midfielder Aitana Bonmati was the 2023 winner of the Ballon d'Or Feminin and is among the favourites to retain the trophy after being included on this year's list of nominees. 

Success for Bonmati would make it the fourth successive year a Barcelona player has picked up the accolade for world's best female player after Alexia Putellas won in 2021 and 2022.

Bonmati is one of the favourites to take home the coveted golden ball, the Barcelona midfielder having had a brilliant season for her club once again. Taking home both the Champions League and Liga F titles, Barcelona swept all before them - with many of their best performances spearheaded by Bonmati.

But with Spain failing to win a medal at the Olympics, has the door been opened for one of the gold medal-winning Americans to take the crown?

Lindsey Horan had a brilliant 2023-24 for Lyon, helping her side reach the Champions League final. Add in Olympic gold, wearing the captain's armband no less, and Horan could well cause an upset this year.

As could Sophia Smith, whose performances at Paris could tip the scales in her favour. It's rare for someone playing in America to necessarily get the same attention as those in Europe, but Smith was instrumental for the Portland Thorns - before being a standout player in that gold medal run for the US in Paris.

Below is the full list of nominees for the 2024 Ballon d'Or Feminin

Aitana Bonmati - Barcelona
Lauren Hemp - Man City
Trinity Rodman - Washington Spirit
Barbra Banda - Shanghai RCB/Orlando Pride
Tarciane - Houston Dash
Manuela Giugliano - Roma
Mallory Swanson - Chicago Red Stars
Glodis Viggosdottir - Bayern Munich
Mariona Caldentey - Barcelona/Arsenal
Lauren James - Chelsea
Patricia Guijarro - Barcelona
Lea Schuller - Bayern Munich
Gabi Portilho - Corinthians
Tabitha Chawinga - PSG
Caroline Graham Hansen - Barcelona
Lindsey Horan - Lyon
Lucy Bronze - Barcelona/Chelsea
Yui Hasegawa - Man City
Ada Hegerberg - Lyon
Sjoeke Nusken - Chelsea
Salma Paralluelo (Barcelona)
Giulia Gwinn (Bayern Munich)
Khadija Shaw (Manchester City)
Grace Geyoro (Paris-SG)
Alexia Putellas (Barcelona)
Marie-Antoinette Katoto (Paris-SG)
Mayra Ramirez (Levante - Chelsea)
Alyssa Naeher (Chicago Red Stars)
Ewa Pajor (Wolfsburg - Barcelona)
Sophia Smith (Portland Thorns)