Russo and Greenwood Earn Ballon d'Or Nominations as Lionesses' Golden Run Continues

England's Lionesses have received glittering recognition of their standing in the world game, with Alessia Russo and Alex Greenwood named among the 30 nominees for the women's Ballon d'Or, as reported by BBC Sport. For Russo, the nomination crowns a steady ascent to the summit of the striker's craft. The Arsenal forward has evolved into the focal point of England's attack, marrying clever movement with an increasingly ruthless eye for goal. Her audacious backheel against Sweden at Euro 2022 remains one of the iconic moments of the modern women's game, and she has since added consistency and leadership to the flair, making her a nightmare for defenders in the Women's Super League and beyond. Greenwood's presence on the list is a victory for the unglamorous arts of defending. The Manchester City centre-back is widely regarded as one of the finest ball-playing defenders on the planet, her left foot doubling as a playmaking weapon whether she is spraying raking diagonal passes or delivering set pieces onto a teammate's head. Calm under pressure and commanding in the air, Greenwood has become the defensive heartbeat of both club and country. Both players were central figures in England's march to back-to-back European titles, with Sarina Wiegman's squad retaining their continental crown in 2025 after lifting the trophy on home soil in 2022. The duo also featured in the run to the 2023 World Cup final, underlining their credentials on the biggest stages the sport can offer. The history books add an extra layer of intrigue. Since the women's Ballon d'Or was introduced in 2018, no English player has ever lifted the trophy, with Barcelona's Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí sharing the last four awards between them. Should either Lioness triumph at the ceremony in Paris, it would represent a watershed moment for the English game. The nominations also arrive as football's global spotlight begins to swing toward the 2026 World Cup, a tournament that promises to push the sport to unprecedented audiences. For England, having two players recognised among the world's top 30 is both a reflection of a golden era and a statement of intent — the Lionesses are not merely participating at the elite level; they are shaping it.