The 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony took place in London this evening, and Blues quintet Lucy Bronze, Veerle Buurman, Hannah Hampton, Melvine Malard and Manaka Matsukubo were all in attendance.
The 70th anniversary of the prestigious awards, presented by France Football magazine and recognising players' and clubs' achievements from the previous season, was held in the capital in celebration of the inaugural winner, Stanley Matthews.
Summer arrivals Malard and Matsukubo were both shortlisted for the Women’s Ballon d’Or, which was won by Spanish international Alexia Putellas.
Malard, who joined the Blues from Manchester United in July and has made an impressive start to life as a Blue, ranked 28th in the voting, while Matsukubo placed 22nd.
Hampton was shortlisted for the Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year award she claimed last year. However, on this occasion, Barcelona and Spain's Cata Coll claimed the prize.
Meanwhile, Burrman was in the running for the Women’s Talent of the Year award, or Kopa Trophy. Blues defender Bronze presented the award and passed it to Vicky Lopez, who claimed it for the second successive year.
On the men's front, Emi Martinez was shortlisted for the Men's Goalkeeper of the Year honour, which was awarded to Spain's World Cup-winning stopper Unai Simon.
While the Blues did not bring any silverware home, it was a memorable evening at the London Palladium Theatre, and we have pulled our favourite images from the night together, which you can view below.