Mariona Caldentey’s Ballon d’Or credentials are flying under radar – but 2025 runner-up can state case by carrying Arsenal back to Women’s Champions League final

The big difference to last season, though, when it comes to the plaudits Caldentey has and hasn’t received, is in the goals and assists. Last term, she racked up 23 goals and 18 assists for club and country, in all competitions. This time around, playing that deeper role, she only has six goals and four assists to her name.

Unfortunately, in today’s world, there is a lot of weight placed on those stats and when they don’t stand out, it can lead to players being overlooked. Barcelona winger Caroline Graham Hansen, for instance, didn’t get her first Ballon d’Or nomination until 2024, despite deserving one long before that. When asked why she thought she got so much hype that year compared to others, Graham Hansen didn’t believe it had anything to do with her actual level.

“Nothing has changed,” she told The Vanguard that season. “I think I was playing very well in the other years too, but because people only look at the numbers, they didn’t look at it as much. I’ve scored more goals and people take notice of that.”