Bunny Shaw Finishes Third at the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or, and It Is a First for Jamaica

Jamaica’s Khadija “Bunny” Shaw finished third in the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or, the highest placing by a Jamaican in the award’s history. The result was announced on Monday, 26 October, at a ceremony in London.

So, if you saw the Manchester City post on your feed, you read it right. Here is who won, what Shaw did to get there and why this finish matters far beyond the podium.

Who Won the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or?

Spain’s Alexia Putellas took the trophy for a third time, after her wins in 2021 and 2022, following a season in which she won four trophies with Barcelona. Poland’s Ewa Pajor, her Barcelona teammate, finished second, and Shaw completed the top three in a ranking announced at the London ceremony.

The award also marked its 70th anniversary this year. Meanwhile, Aitana Bonmatí, the winner of the previous three editions, was not on the 30-player shortlist after a broken leg kept her out for much of the season, which left the race wide open.

Why Shaw’s Third Place Is Historic

This result breaks several records at once. It is the highest Ballon d’Or finish by a Jamaican, by a Manchester City female player and by an Afro-Caribbean player.

The wider picture is just as striking. Shaw is the fourth player from outside Europe to finish in the top three, and the third North American after Megan Rapinoe, the 2019 winner, and Alex Morgan, who was third that year. She also joins Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne as the only City players to reach a Ballon d’Or top three.

City had a strong night overall. Yui Hasegawa finished 11th, Kerstin Casparij 24th, Alex Greenwood 26th and Vivianne Miedema 28th, so the club had five players in the rankings.

Her climb has been steady, too. She placed 24th in 2023 and 15th in 2024 before this podium finish, so this is progress you can actually trace.

The Season Behind the Result

The numbers explain the ranking. Shaw scored 21 goals in 22 Women’s Super League games, and she won her third straight WSL Golden Boot. She is the first player to win three, ahead of Vivianne Miedema and Sam Kerr, who won two each.

Team success mattered as well. Shaw opened the scoring in City’s 4-0 FA Cup final win over Brighton, and the club won the WSL and FA Cup in the same season. She also picked up several individual awards:

• WSL Player of the Season.

• PFA Women’s Player of the Year.

• FWA Footballer of the Year.

Even better, her club records keep growing. She passed 100 goals for City last season, remains the club’s all-time leading scorer and holds the WSL record for most hat-tricks.

More Than a Club Story: Shaw for Jamaica

Shaw is also Jamaica’s all-time leading scorer across the men’s and women’s teams, with 66 goals in 48 caps, and she has played at the 2019 and 2023 World Cups. That is why the reaction back home has been so warm.

Jamaica Football Federation president Michael Ricketts said the federation was delighted and proud, while Reggae Girlz coach Hubert Busby called her a national treasure and praised her impact on young girls in Jamaica and the diaspora. For her part, Shaw called the finish “a huge honour,” and thanked City, her teammates and staff.

What It Means for Women’s Football

Beyond the records, this result shows how far the women’s game has opened up. A Jamaican striker from outside Europe’s traditional powers is now sitting on a global podium, and young players in the Caribbean can see a clear path from local football to the top of the sport.

Also, with Putellas now at London City Lionesses, the next few seasons promise a very different race for the trophy. For Shaw, the target is clear: she is still only 29, and her goal record suggests the best may still be ahead.

Want More Ballon d’Or Coverage?

The night had plenty of other storylines. Catch up on our earlier coverage: the men’s Ballon d’Or 2026 story on Kane and Messi, why Bukayo Saka won the Socrates Award, and Unai Simón’s Yashin Trophy win. For more, visit the PINCHED homepage.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where did Bunny Shaw finish in the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or?

She finished third, behind winner Alexia Putellas and runner-up Ewa Pajor.

2. Is Bunny Shaw the first Jamaican on the Ballon d’Or podium?

Her third place is the highest Ballon d’Or finish by a Jamaican in the award’s history.

3. Who won the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or?

Alexia Putellas of Spain won it for the third time, after 2021 and 2022.

4. How many goals did Bunny Shaw score last season?

She scored 21 goals in 22 WSL games and won a third straight WSL Golden Boot.