Women's Ballon d'Or 2018: Full list of nominees for the inaugural award revealed

Topics: Ballon d'Or, France Football, Marta, Dzsenifer Marozsan, Ada Hegerberg

For the first time in the history of the Ballon d’Or, France Football magazine will honor the best player in women’s football.

Aside the 30-man shortlist to determine the Ballon d'Or winner in the male's category, a list comprising of 15 players from women's football was also released by France Football magazine on Monday. The compilation was done by the editorial staff of the French publication of which the winner will be voted for by journalists from around the world.

Marta, who was adjudged the Best Women's Player of the Year at the recently held FIFA Football awards, is in line to win the maiden edition of the honor having been named. The 32-year-old Brazilian captained her nation to the Copa America title and subsequently helped her club side Orlando Pride through a challenging campaign in the USA's National Women's Soccer League last season.

Lyon duo Ada Hegerberg and Dzsenifer Marozsan who completed the top three shortlist alongside Marta are also in contention for this year's Ballon d'Or accolade. The former scored 31 goals in 20 appearances to help Lyon win Ligue 1 Feminine and also set a new record in the UEFA Women's Champions League by scoring 15 goals in her side's triumphant campaign last season.

Dzsenifer Marozsan, on the other hand, also enjoyed the same success with Lyon on the club level and captained Germany to five wins in six Women's World Cup qualifying games. English duo Lucy Bronze and Fran Kirby were also featured on France Football magazine's list.

The latter, in particular, will be fancying her chances having been crowned PFA Players' Player of the Year and Football Writers' Women's Footballer of the year last term.

See below for the full list of players who made the shortlist. The names of the players in contention for the Ballon d'Or in the men's category is also accessible here.

Nominees for the Women's Ballon d'Or: