Rose Lavelle Takes the Stage: How the USWNT Star Performed at the 2026 Ballon d'Or!

Only one American earned a nomination at the 2026 Ballon d'Or for the title of world's best player: Rose Lavelle, who came in 27th place in the women's category.

The standout USWNT midfielder earned her spot on the 30-player shortlist for the annual Ballon d'Or Féminin — the most coveted individual accolade in women's football — after steering her club Gotham FC to the 2025 NWSL championship final. She even netted the decisive goal in the 80th minute against fierce rivals Washington Spirit.

Lavelle also guided Gotham to the 2026 NWSL Challenge Cup title and deep runs to the semifinals of both the Concacaf W Champions Cup and the inaugural FIFA Women's Champions Cup this spring.

This was actually Lavelle's second appearance on the shortlist for the award established by France Football, having first been nominated in 2019 following the USWNT's fourth World Cup victory (1991, 1999, 2015, 2019). She placed eighth in the voting that year, though fellow national team star Megan Rapinoe ultimately claimed the prize.

While Lavelle fell short of the top 10 this time around, earning a nomination alone was a notable achievement — particularly given that it was not a Women's World Cup year. She also competes domestically outside of Europe, following the NWSL's spring-to-fall schedule rather than the traditional European calendar observed by most of the world. Fewer matches during the voting window limited her overall standing.

Lavelle will aim to capitalize on her recent momentum and help the USWNT reclaim world supremacy in just eight months at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

Who Won the Ballon d'Or Feminin?

Alexia Putellas claimed the honor, lifting the Ballon d'Or Féminin for the first time since 2022 and the third time overall in her career (2021, 2022, 2026), solidifying her remarkable comeback in the women's game.

The triumph comes on the back of a historic quadruple with Barcelona last season, in which she helped the Catalan giants capture Liga F, Copa de la Reina, Supercopa de España, and the Champions League. She has since moved to London City Lionesses in England's WSL on a free transfer this summer.

Putellas extends Spain's dominance of the award, picking up where La Roja teammate and fellow midfielder Aitana Bonmatí left off after her three consecutive wins (2023, 2024, 2025). It has now been seven years since a non-Spanish player last claimed the accolade — Rapinoe being the last to do so.

Ballon d'Or Féminin Voting Results