Caroline Weir admits she had to double-check the official Ballon d’Or shortlist to believe her inclusion, describing the moment as “pretty surreal” after a year defined by resilience and recovery.
The 30-year-old Real Madrid midfielder, who missed Euro 2025 with Scotland as she continued her return from a serious knee injury, has become the first Scottish woman ever nominated for the Ballon d’Or. Her selection comes after a strong campaign in Spain that she herself has labelled her “comeback season.”
“It’s pretty cool to be included in that kind of company,” Weir told BBC Scotland. “I wasn’t expecting it at all, but I’m just trying to roll with it and enjoy it. To even be on the same list as these players is huge for me.”
Weir’s recognition comes almost two years to the day since she ruptured her ACL during a Nations League match against Belgium—a devastating setback after a prolific debut season at Real Madrid, where she scored 28 goals in all competitions.
By her own admission, her strongest statistical case for the award might have come back then. Yet the midfielder believes this year’s acknowledgment is more meaningful, given the adversity she overcame.
“Last season I didn’t put pressure on myself because it was about coming back from injury,” she explained. “That’s why this nomination feels special. Anyone who has been through a long-term injury knows the self-doubt and the hard work it takes. For me, this is validation of that journey.”
The nomination carries even greater weight given Scotland’s continued absence from major tournaments. Since missing the delayed 2022 Euros, Scotland have also failed to qualify for the 2023 World Cup and Euro 2025.
With new head coach Melissa Andreatta overseeing a transitional squad, Weir is determined to lead Scotland back to the international stage.
“The big one is another tournament with Scotland,” she said. “I really want to be at the World Cup in 2027. That’s at the forefront of my mind every day.”
Weir joins Scott McTominay, also shortlisted this year, as the first Scots to be nominated for the award in decades. McTominay’s recognition is the first for a male Scot since Ally McCoist in 1987—a milestone that underlines the significance of this year’s nominations for Scottish football.
“It’s really cool for young kids in Scotland to have two Scots there,” Weir said. “I would have loved to see that growing up, so hopefully it inspires a few.”
Weir, who will attend Monday’s ceremony in Paris, joked that her parents tried to “angle” for an invitation but were told “not this time.” With her trademark modesty, she acknowledges the unlikelihood of winning but insists that simply being nominated is a career-defining moment.
“I know the chances are slim because there are incredible players on that list,” she said. “But I’ll keep working hard. For me, this is already special enough.”
