Ewa Pajor nominated for FIFPro women's world XI after Ballon d'Or runner-up finish

In brief

• Ewa Pajor is among 26 nominees for FIFPro's 2026 women's team of the year.
• The shortlist was chosen by more than 6,000 women players.
• Pajor finished second in the Ballon d'Or vote on October 26, behind Alexia Putellas.

Shortlist from players' vote

FIFPro has announced a 26-player shortlist for its women's world team of the year for 2026. The selection was made by more than 6,000 women players, who voted through the federation of players' unions. Pajor, the Poland striker and Barcelona forward, is among the nominees (Ewa Pajor w gronie nominowanych gwiazd. Tym razem decydowały same piłkarki – Polskie Radio 24).

Ballon d'Or runner-up

Pajor's nomination follows her second-place finish in the Ballon d'Or vote on October 26. The award went to Alexia Putellas, who previously played for Barcelona and now plays for London City Lionesses (Ewa Pajor zapytana o Złotą Piłkę. Tak nazwała triumfatorkę - Sport w INTERIA.PL – sport.interia.pl). Pajor said she was proud to have been part of the vote and described her previous season with Barcelona as her own golden season, since the club won every trophy available. She also spoke with respect about Putellas, with whom she shared a dressing room for two years.

Barcelona's season

Barcelona won a quadruple in the most recent season, and Pajor became the women's Champions League top scorer. Her Champions League scoring record put her in contention for the top individual honours throughout the year.

Next steps

The 26 nominees will be narrowed down before FIFPro names its final women's team of the year. The players' vote decides who makes the cut, not the media or the federation.