Caroline Weir earns Scotland's highest ever ranking in women's Ballon d'Or as men's award 'leaked'

The 31-year-old midfielder, who joined French champions Lyon this summer after four years at Real Madrid, became the first Scottish player to be nominated for the award last year, finishing in 30th place.

She made the global shortlist for a second consecutive year after another stellar individual campaign in her final season at Madrid, scoring 20 goals and providing seven assists across 39 appearances. She finished the season as the club's top scorer and its all-time leading goalscorer.

She has also scored 11 goals in her last seven Scotland appearances including hat-tricks against Luxembourg and Israel before netting four in a 5-1 away win against Israel in June. Her total international record is 32 goals in 123 caps.

Those achievements have earned her 25th place in the 2026 Ballon d'Or Feminin - beating her own record by five places.

There are no Scots in the running for the 2026 men's Ballon d'Or after Scott McTominay's 18th place finish in 2025 following his starring role in a Serie A title-winning season with Napoli.

Meanwhile, the Ballon d’Or website has published three separate articles naming Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe as winner of the 2026 men’s award.

Hours before the ceremony for the 70th edition of the individual accolade at Palladium Theatre in London, chaos descended when a link emerged announcing England captain Kane had received the honour.

“A record-breaking welter of league and cup goals in 2025/26 has propelled Harry Kane to Ballon d’Or success,” read the story on the official website of the prestigious France Football prize.

However, further links were subsequently found to articles hailing Real Madrid forward Mbappe and Barcelona winger Yamal as victors. All three versions have now been taken down.

Ballon d’Or organisers have yet to comment on the apparent leaks, which could potentially have confirmed the top three for this year’s award.