November 10 – Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmatí, Alessia Russo and Ella Toone are among the players nominated in a controversial FIFPRO Women’s World 11 that has sparked debate.
Putellas, the Ballon d’Or winner after a quadruple final season at Barcelona, made the team. But he received fewer votes in midfield (44.9%) than Barcelona team-mate Bonmatí (47.4%), who played just seven Liga F games and started one of three Champions League appearances after injury.
Ewa Pajor came second in the Ballon d’Or, won the quadruple with Barcelona and was the top scorer in the Champions League with 11 goals. He received 10.5% of the forward vote and lost. Russo got 23.5%.
Manchester City won their first league title in a decade, but only had one representative. Their striker Khadija “Bunny” Shaw, winner of the Golden Boot for the third consecutive season, was not even on the list. Neither were Melchie Dumornay, Pernille Harder or Caroline Graham Hansen, all the first 10 of the Ballon d’Or.
Instead, England internationals Chloe Kelly, Aggie Beever-Jones and Toone were shortlisted despite injuries and limited minutes. Toone then made the final eleven after 14 league appearances and three goals for Manchester United who finished fourth.
Russo, Hannah Hampton and Alex Greenwood also made the team, with Hampton chosen despite losing the Yashin trophy to Barcelona’s Cata Coll. Lucy Bronze set a record with her ninth nomination.
Barcelona has five players, including Irene Paredes, Clàudia Pina and Mapi León, who has since joined the London City Lionesses. The voting period was from August 2025 to August 2026.
The XI is heavily weighted towards two leagues. Orlando Pride’s Barbra Banda is the only player from outside the WSL and F-League, and the only one who is neither English nor Spanish.
The team was voted for by 6,511 professional players worldwide.
