Barcelona's captain became only the third female winner of the prize last year, but has she done enough to retain it?
The full list of nominees for the Women's 2022 Ballon d'Or has been announced, with recognising the world's best female players of the past 12 months.
Lyon's Ada Hegerberg won the inaugural Ballon d'Or Feminin back in 2018 and United States Women's national team star Megan Rapinoe scooped the prize the following year, but the Covid-19 pandemic caused the 2020 ceremony to be cancelled.
The voting resumed last year, though, and Barcelona star Alexia Putellas became the third female player to win a Golden Ball, but will her name be up in lights once again on October 17?
Check out the nominees for the Women's Ballon d'Or below:
Getty ImagesSelma Bacha – Lyon
Bacha was named the Women's Champions League's Young Player of the Season as attacking full-back recorded the most assists in the 2021-22 competition.
AdvertisementGettyFridolina Rolfo – Barcelona
Rolfo enjoyed an excellent first season at Barcelona as the Sweden striker settled into life in Spain following her summer move from Wolfsburg.
GettyVivianne Miedema – Arsenal
Miedema enjoyed another stellar season in front of goal for Arsenal as the WSL's all-time top scorer committed her future to the club rather than join Barcelona or Paris Saint-Germain.
GettyLucy Bronze – Barcelona
Bronze finally added an international trophy to her collection after a series of stellar displays from the England right back helped the Lionesses win the European Championship on home soil.