With the Ballon d’Or Féminin ceremony on Monday, October 28, 2024, this year is set to witness one of the most extraordinary individual seasons in women’s football. While Aitana Bonmati stands at the peak position on track to win the Golden Ball for the second time in a row, U.S. stars Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman are building their respective cases for historic Olympic glory.

The Ballon d’Or Féminin, introduced in 2018, honors the best female footballer of the year. The award reflects the growing recognition of women’s football, celebrating players like Ada Hegerberg, Megan Rapinoe, and Alexia Putellas, who have left a significant mark on the sport.

Women’s Ballon d’Or showdown: Can Sophia Smith or Trinity Rodman dethrone Aitana Bonmati?

Aitana Bonmati

Aitana Bonmati was one of the brightest players for Barcelona and Spain, as she continued her outstanding season with her team. Her 26 goals and 18 assists were instrumental to the Champions League, Liga F, Copa de la Reina, and Supercopa de Espana titles for Barcelona. Her most memorable performances came in the Champions League, where her impact was crucial. She scored the match-winning goal in the final against Chelsea.

Bonmati’s domestic accomplishments make her an undeniable frontrunner. Her ability to control the tempo and create game-changing moments on the field has drawn comparisons to the greatest in the game. Moreover, she’s arguably the core of Barcelona’s team.

Sophia Smith

The 2023/24 season has been more than sensational for Sophia Smith, who helped the United States win the CONCACAF W Gold Cup. She also won an Olympic gold medal. Domestically, she was an absolute powerhouse for the Portland Thorns, scoring 19 goals and having 11 assists, both for the NWSL and internationally. At such a young age of just 23, Smith’s electric pace and finishing prowess have made her one of the most feared forwards in the league, with consistent performances for club and country alike.

The fact that Smith featured for the United States Women’s National Team during its Olympic triumph in Paris cements her case for Ballon d’Or discussions this year. The NWSL season rarely overlaps with European timetables, and usually, American players miss it because of that. Smith has made sure not to miss it this year, though.

Trinity Rodman

Trinity Rodman is becoming an essential part of her club, the Washington Spirit, and also for the USWNT. The Olympic campaign of Rodman was full of tenacity and skill, where her memorable goal in the quarterfinal against Japan gave the United States team the ticket to the gold medal. In this season, Rodman has been able to score 12 goals and assist 10 times.

Between her CONCACAF W Gold Cup and NWSL campaigns, along with her performance in the Olympics, Rodman has become a worthy candidate. At age 22, she has put herself in a good position due to her hard work and attacking ability.

While Bonmati’s successful season and influence make her the favorite. On the other hand, Smith and Rodman showed heroic performances in the Olympics that gave them a chance to take the title away from the reigning champion. Again, it all lies in how much Olympic success surpasses dominance in European clubs. 

What are your predictions for the 2024 Women’s Ballon d’Or? Let us know below.