Lucy Bronze: Alexia Putellas is the standout candidate for Ballon d’Or prize

In the latest edition of FOOTBALL NOW, Euronews spoke to Bronze, who was a runner-up to the Ballon d’Or Feminin in 2019 for her key role in England’s run to the World Cup semi-finals. This year’s award is wide open with 20 players from nine different clubs competing.

Bronze said: “The only thing with women's football is the fact that there are not so many games broadcasted, so a lot of the shortlists, in general, tend to be from players who, (are from the) Champions League final or whatever the kind of national team tournament to the Olympics, this year’s final. So there's kind of a mixture of players and because of that and obviously a lot of Barcelona players with their exceptional season that they had last year. So I think for me, it's probably going to go to to one of those girls”

The Ballon d’Or is probably the most coveted honour by any footballer but it wasn’t until recently that the women’s game has been acknowledged.

“When you look at how women's football has really just been illuminated in terms of not just the talent, but also the sponsorships coming into the game, the broadcasting rights when you see everything aligning like that, I think it just makes sense for the Ballon d'Or to have a women's category.” Says football journalist, Melissa Reddy.

The Ballon d’Or was founded by sports publication France Football in 1956, however, this is only the third year for the Ballon d’Or Feminin after a year's absence due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Norwegian player Ada Hegerberg became the first-ever winner in 2018 and USA striker Megan Rapinoe followed suit a year later after leading her country to the World Cup title.

The magazine puts together a 20 player shortlist from which journalists vote for their favourite based on