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Matildas and Arsenal star Steph Catley has been shortlisted for the biggest individual honour in women’s soccer after a stunning year for club and country.
Catley, who assumed the captaincy of the Matildas in the absence of injured Sam Kerr, is nominated among the game’s top-30 players for the Ballon d’Or.
The 31-year-old is the only Australian to feature in the annual awards, with a season-ending ACL injury to her Matildas teammate Mary Fowler cruelling her chances having been in red-hot form for Manchester City.
Catley played a key role in Arsenal’s Women’s Champions League triumph and was one of seven Gunners nominated for the award.
Arsenal WFC v FC Barcelona - UEFA Women's Champions League Final
Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross celebrate with the UEFA Women's Champions League trophy. Picture: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
It’s the first time Catley, who has played 138 times for the Matildas, has made the elite list. Sam Kerr has been nominated five times, finishing runner-up once, while Hayley Raso made the 30-player shortlist in 2023.
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Spain’s two-time Ballon d’Or winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas have also been nominated.
Midfielder Bonmati, 27, won the Spanish league title with Barcelona and was named the Best Player of the Tournament at the Women’s Euro 2025.
Bonmati won the last two Ballon d’Ors.
Catley secured the Champions League triumph alongside fellow Matildas Caitlin Foord and Kyra Cooney-Cross.
No Australian men made the 30-player list.
The winner will be announced at a ceremony in Paris on September 22.
Women’s Ballon d’Or full nominee list
Lucy Bronze (ENG/Chelsea), Barbra Banda (ZAM/Orlando Pride), Aitana Bonmati (ESP/ Barcelona), Sandy Baltimore (FRA/Chelsea), Mariona Caldentey (ESP/Arsenal), Klara Buehl (GER/Bayern), Sofia Cantore (ITA/Juventus), Steph Catley (AUS/Arsenal), Melchie Dumornay (HAI/Lyon), Temwa Chawinga (MWI/Kansas City), Emily Fox (USA/Arsenal), Cristiana Girelli (ITA/Juventus), Esther Gonzalez (ESP/Gotham FC), Caroline Graham Hansen (NOR/Barcelona), Patri Guijarro (ESP/ Barcelona), Amanda Gutierres (BRA/Palmeiras), Hannah Hampton (ENG/Chelsea), Pernille Harder (DEN/Bayern), Lindsey Heaps (USA/Lyon), Chloe Kelly (ENG/Arsenal), Marta (BRA/Orlando Pride), Frida Leonhardsen Maanum (NOR/Arsenal), Ewa Pajor (POL/Barcelona), Clara Mateo (FRA/Paris FC), Alessia Russo (ENG/Arsenal), Claudia Pina (ESP/Barcelona), Alexia Putellas (ESP/Barcelona), Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (SWE/Chelsea), Caroline Weir (SCO/Real Madrid), Leah Williamson (ENG/Arsenal)