September 20, 2026 | Women's Soccer
PARIS, France --- On September 8, the Ballon d'Or announced the shortlist of nominees for this year's honor that included 2021 Anteater alum Scarlett Camberos.
The Ballon d'Or is awarded to the top footballer in the world each year since 1956 and on the women's side since 2018. Camberos joins elite company in this year's class like Alexia Putellas, Wendie Renard, and Rose Lavelle. Camberos joins Lavelle and others as nominees from NCAA Division I colleges and universities. Camberos making the list makes 20 different players from NCAA schools representing 13 different schools and just a few non-Power 4s such as Portland, South Florida, and St. John's.
Camberos' honor is also significant for Mexico as she is the first Mexican to ever be named on the women's side. Her club, Club America, is also the first Mexican club to receive the recognition in women's club of the year. Camberos and Club American won the treble that is the LigaMX Femenil title, the CONCACAF Champions Cup, and the Campeon de Campeonas title for the first time ever. CamberosΒ contributed with 27 goals and seven assists in 47 matches across all competitions.
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The winners were announced October 26 with Alexia Putellas of Barcelona and London City taking home the award. Camberos finished 21st in the Ballon d'Or 2026 rankings.
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The Ballon d'Or is awarded to the top footballer in the world each year since 1956 and on the women's side since 2018. Camberos joins elite company in this year's class like Alexia Putellas, Wendie Renard, and Rose Lavelle. Camberos joins Lavelle and others as nominees from NCAA Division I colleges and universities. Camberos making the list makes 20 different players from NCAA schools representing 13 different schools and just a few non-Power 4s such as Portland, South Florida, and St. John's.
Camberos' honor is also significant for Mexico as she is the first Mexican to ever be named on the women's side. Her club, Club America, is also the first Mexican club to receive the recognition in women's club of the year. Camberos and Club American won the treble that is the LigaMX Femenil title, the CONCACAF Champions Cup, and the Campeon de Campeonas title for the first time ever. CamberosΒ contributed with 27 goals and seven assists in 47 matches across all competitions.
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Scarlett's journey has taken her from playing college soccer at UC Irvine to representing Mexico and competing among the best players in the world. At Club América, she helped the team win a historic treble, including the Concacaf W Champions Cup, and tonight, she shared a red carpet with some of the greatest players to have ever lived," beamed head coach Scott Juniper. "I probably coached her less and less in the traditional sense as the season went on. It's a reminder that sometimes you simply have to remove the barriers. Scarlett Camberos was always very good, but she was unbeatable in the second half of that season. The balance of trust, freedom, winning, and fun gave her the room to express herself in her most natural state. Scarlett could have played one more year at UCI but chose to make the brave decision to turn pro. It was the right decision. She has crushed it in the pros, and she's only getting started. We are incredibly proud of Scarlett and everything she has achieved. Her story is a powerful example for young players who dream of taking their game as far as it can go."
The winners were announced October 26 with Alexia Putellas of Barcelona and London City taking home the award. Camberos finished 21st in the Ballon d'Or 2026 rankings.
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HISTORY
For nearly seven decades, the Ballon d'Orβ’ has stood as the ultimate individual accolade in the world of football. Established in 1956, it honors the players who have defined the beautiful game through their talent, character, and achievements on the pitch.Β From the very first trophy to the modern era, the Ballon d'Orβ’ connects the legends of the past with the icons of today. It is a history written by the greatest names in the sport, creating a lineage of excellence that spans generations.
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AWARD RULES
The Ballon d'Orβ’ follows a rigorous process designed to maintain its prestige and fairness. Selected international journalists β one per eligible nation β cast their votes based on the performances of players throughout the season.Β Each voter ranks their top 10 candidates, with points distributed on a descending scale. The process ensures global representation and recognizes performance across all major competitions worldwide.
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CRITERIA
The Ballon d'Orβ’ is awarded based on three essential pillars, in order of importance: individual performance, team achievements, and class combined with fair play. Each criterion carries significant weight in the final decision.Β While individual brilliance is paramount, the award also values the impact a player has on their team's success. The combination of talent, sportsmanship, and competitive excellence defines the complete Ballon d'Orβ’ winner.
Saturday, October 17
Saturday, September 26
Tuesday, September 22
Thursday, September 10
