Books and Ballon d’Or 2025: who’s been written about, and who hasn’t

The Ballon d’Or shortlist is a snapshot of elite women’s football, and the data I have been able to collect so far gives an interesting, blunt way to measure how much each player’s story has been told in English.

The most-written-about

Lucy Bronze

Bronze tops the list with 11 books, which makes sense: long club success across England and Europe, a high profile with the Lionesses, and a marketable, recognisable name. Eleven English-language titles suggests sustained media and publishing interest.

Well-covered stars

Chloe Kelly, Alexia Putellas, Marta, Aitana Bonmatí, Alessia Russo, Leah Williamson, Pernille Harder, Lindsey Horan

These players are all household names for fans: major trophies, national-team visibility, or long careers that invite biographies and profiles. Alexia and Marta’s global reputations explain multiple titles; others benefit from recent tournament exposure (World Cups, Euros) that drives interest.

Lightly covered

Mariona Caldentey, Hannah Hampton

A single English-language book can mean a translation of a local biography, a strong feature in an anthology, or a newer title catching on. It signals potential: more stories could be told.

Not yet written in English

Barbra Banda, Sandy Baltimore, Klara Bühl, Sofía Cantore, Steph Catley, Melchie Dumornay, Temwa Chawinga, Emily Fox, Cristiana Girelli, Esther González, Caroline Graham Hansen, Patricia Guijarro, Amanda Gutierres, Frida Maanum, Ewa Pajor, Clara Mateo, Clàudia Pina, Johanna Rytting Kaneryd, Caroline Weir

A substantial group have no English-language books. It often reflects language barriers, publishing economics, or that a player’s peak visibility is recent. For many, local-language biographies, magazine long-reads, or profiles exist - they just haven’t been published or translated into English yet.

What this distribution tells us

1. Visibility and timing matter. Players with long, trophy-filled careers or those who lit up a major tournament are far more likely to attract multiple English titles.

2. Language and market access are huge. A brilliant Brazilian, Spanish, or African player may be covered extensively in local press or books in other languages that never reach English-speaking readers.

3. Publishing inertia. The book world moves slower than social media: a breakout season can generate articles and podcasts quickly, but books take time and investment.

4. Opportunity gap. There’s a clear space for publishers and writers: many compelling stories on the Ballon d’Or list aren’t available to English readers, yet.

With the rise of AI-assisted writing tools and increasingly accessible self-publishing platforms, these trends could shift rapidly. Players, fans, and independent writers now have more ways than ever to produce polished books without the long lead times or gatekeeping of traditional publishing, meaning the gap between on-pitch success and a book deal could shrink dramatically in the years ahead.

A final thought

These book counts are a useful lens on whose stories the English-speaking world has embraced. They also map opportunities for translators, biographers, and fans who want to push for more diverse storytelling in women’s football.

Titles

Lucy Bronze

• Journey to Stardom: How Lucy Bronze Became a Women's Soccer Legend — Helen J. Wiles

• Lucy Bronze Biography: A Champion's Legacy — Sidney J. Prince

• Lucy Bronze Biography: Soccer's Shining Star — Victor A. Webb

• Lucy Bronze Biography: Steel and Grace – The Rise of a Relentless Defender — Ted A. Fowler

• Lucy Bronze Biography: The Girl Who Became a Global Football Hero — Brian E. Mercer

• Lucy Bronze: Biography of a Football Pioneer — Stacy B. Russell

• Lucy Bronze: From School Fields to Stadiums of Champions — Donald P. Hill

• Lucy Bronze: Rising to the Challenge – The Inspiring Story of a Football Legend — Richard Dees

• My Football Hero: Lucy Bronze – Learn All About Your Footballing Hero — Rob Green

• The Bronze Standard: "The Art of Defense – Lucy Bronze and the Rise of Women's Football" — Bless P. Walton

Chloe Kelly

• Chloe Kelly: The Power of Perseverance, the Heart of a Champion — Anthony Gabriel

• Chloe Kelly Biography: The Football Star Who Believed in Herself — Brian E. Mercer

• Chloe Kelly: Football Rising Stars — Harry Meredith

• Chloe Kelly: Queen of Europe — Richard Dees

• Her-story: Chloe Kelly – Inspirational Women for Girls — T. J. Akers

• Tales from the Pitch: Kelly — Robin Adams

Alexia Putellas

• Alexia Putellas (Sports Superstars) — Golriz Golkar

• Alexia Putellas and the Game She Loves: "Footsteps of Greatness – Alexia Putellas and the Evolution of Women's Football" — J. Cornerstone Oo

• Alexia Putellas Biography: The Girl Who Chased a Ball and Found Her Dream — Donald A. Wafford

• Alexia Putellas: A Legacy Beyond the Game — Dan N. Witt

• Alexia Putellas: Biography of a Footballer – Soccer Short Stories for Girls — Red Bouta

• Kickin' It with Alexia: "From Barcelona to Glory – The Alexia Putellas Chronicles" — J. Cornerstone Oo

Marta

• Marta – Ultimate Football Heroes — Charlotte Browne

• Marta (Soccer Stars) — David Machajewski

• Marta vs. Mia Hamm: Soccer Legends Face Off — Elliott Smith

• What It's Like to Be Marta Vieira (Bilingual Edition) — Rebecca Thatcher Murcia

• Her-story: Marta – Inspirational Women for Girls — T. J. Akers

Aitana Bonmatí

• Aitana Bonmatí: Football Rising Stars — Harry Meredith

• Aitana Bonmatí: From the Heart of Barcelona to the World Stage — Mattie Snow

• Aitana Bonmatí: How She Became a World-Class Playmaker — Lester L. Milburn

• Barcelona Brilliance: "The Unstoppable Aitana Bonmatí" — Mike M. D. Davies

Alessia Russo

• My Football Hero: Alessia Russo – Biography for Kids — Rob Green

• The Russo Revolution: From Italian Roots to English Stardom — George Hope Publishing

• Alessia Russo Biography: The Goal-Scoring Star Who Shines for England — Mary B. Clough

• Alessia Russo: Football Rising Stars — Harry Meredith

Leah Williamson

• Leah Williamson – Ultimate Football Heroes — Emily Stead

• Leah Williamson Biography: The Story of a Soccer Star — Brian E. Mercer

• Leah Williamson: Football Genius and Tactical Brilliance — Janelle Noris

• Leah Williamson: Football Rising Stars — Harry Meredith

Pernille Harder & Magdalena Eriksson

• Love on the Pitch: Magdalena Eriksson and Pernille Harder Turned Football and Love into a Global Legacy — Mike M. D. Davies

• Pernille's Playground: "Pernille Harder – Football Trailblazing Career and Her Impact on Women's Football" — Henry P. Allwell

• Harder, Faster, Stronger: Pernille Harder – The Inspiring Rise of Europe's Most Dynamic Female Football Star — Mike M. D. Davies

Lindsey Horan

• Horan's Harmony: "Lindsey Horan – Football Trailblazing Career and Her Impact on Women's Football" — Henry P. Allwell

• Lindsey Horan — Leigh Lewis

• Mastering the Game: Biography of Lindsey Horan — Gilbert Martin

Mariona Caldentey

• Mariona Caldentey: A Trailblazer in Women's Football — Lino M. Surber

Hannah Hampton

• Hannah Hampton Biography: The Brave Goalkeeper Who Never Gave Up — Mary B. Clough