Zambia’s Banda makes history as 12th best female footballer in the world as Ballon d’Or holds

Copper Queens captain, Barbra Banda, made history after being named 12th best female footballer in the world in the Ballon d’Or rankings on Monday.

Banda’s achievement marked the highest-ever ranking for an African female footballer in the Ballon d’Or féminin, setting a record no other African woman has reached.

In her debut nomination for this award, the Banda claimed 12th place after scoring 31 goals and providing six assists in 28 matches.

Other top players included England’s Lucy Bronze in 20th, Malawi’s Tabitha Chawinga in 16th, Khadija “Bunny” Shaw of Manchester City in 15th, and Chelsea’s Lauren James in 13th.

Nigeria’s Asisat Oshoala had placed 16th in 2022, 20th in 2023, but did not make the list this year. Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmati was awarded the 2024 Women’s Golden Ball after an outstanding season.

Bonmati was instrumental in Barcelona’s success, helping them secure all four major titles, including the Champions League, where she scored first in their final against Lyon in Bilbao. She was also crucial in Spain’s victory in the inaugural Women’s Nations League.

Though Spain finished fourth at the Olympics, missing out on another title as the United States took gold, Bonmati’s impressive earned her a second consecutive Golden Ball, finishing ahead of teammates Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo, who placed second and third, respectively.

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