The Ballon d'Or is the greatest individual honour a footballer can receive.

Presented by France Football, the award has been a yearly ceremony for men's football since 1956 — providing 44 different winners.

The women's accolade was introduced in 2018, with Ada Hegerberg and Megan Rapinoe taking the two titles so far.

After the 2020 edition was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Ballon d'Or ceremony returns on November 29. 

Read on as we run the rule over the 20 players in line for the women's award. 

Stina Blackstenius (BK Hacken, Sweden)

Stina Blackstenius has scored 17 goals in 21 matches in 2021, helping Hacken finish second in Sweden's Damallsvenskan this season. 

The 25-year-old Swede also represented her country at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics during the summer, bagging five goals.

Blackstenius netted in the gold medal match against Canada but her side could only claim a silver medal at the Games. 

Kadidiatou Diani (Paris Saint-Germain, France)

After winning the Division 1 Women title with Paris Saint-Germain in 2020-21, Kadidiatou Diani was named the Player of the Year in France.

The French international scored 13 times in 19 appearances last term, assisting nine along the way.

Christiane Endler (Lyon, Chile)

Although she joined Lyon in the summer, Christiane Endler's nomination comes from her stellar efforts in goal for PSG last season.

Endler, 30, only conceded four goals during their title charge.

The Chilean won the Goalkeeper of the Year award and kept 19 clean sheets in 22 league matches. 

Magdalena Eriksson (Chelsea, Sweden)

One of seven Women's Super League nominations, Magdalena Eriksson played a huge role in helping Chelsea win the title and reach the Women's Champions League final last season,.

Eriksson featured alongside Blackstenius as Sweden took silver in Tokyo and her magnificent performances for Chelsea saw her named in the PFA Team of the Year.

Jessie Fleming (Chelsea, Canada)

Jessie Fleming was one of Europe's most decorated players last season. 

Alongside Eriksson, Fleming won the WSL and Women's League Cup with Chelsea before claiming a gold medal with Canada at the Olympics.

The 23-year-old midfielder only has one full season under her belt with the Blues but has already announced herself as a star in English football. 

Pernille Harder (Chelsea, Denmark)

Pernille Harder has held the tag of the world's most expensive footballer since joining Chelsea from Wolfsburg in September 2020.

Harder, 29, scored nine goals and registered three assists as the Blues dominated the domestic scene.

Jennifer Hermoso (Barcelona, Spain)

Barcelona and Chelsea both have five nominees for the Ballon d'Or, with Jennifer Hermoso being one of the Catalan club's finest players.

The 31-year-old striker scored 35 league goals for Barca as the Spanish giants won the Primera Division and Copa de la Reina last season. 

She was also the joint top scorer in the Women's Champions League, helping Blaugrana become the first Spanish side to win a European trophy.

Marie-Antoinette Katoto (Paris Saint-Germain, France)

Marie Antionette Katoto was PSG's most lethal finisher in their title triumph last season. 

She scored 21 goals and finished as the second-highest scorer in the division. 

The 23-year-old striker went on to score her first international hat-trick in a 10-0 win over Greece. 

Sam Kerr (Chelsea, Australia)

Australia's all-time leading goalscorer Sam Kerr is Chelsea's fourth nominee for the Ballon d'Or.

Kerr, 28, won the WSL Golden Boot as the Blues won the title last season, netting 21 goals in 22 appearances.

Fran Kirby (Chelsea, England) 

Fran Kirby was sidelined from football after she fell ill with pericarditis in November 2019.

She returned nearly a year later to bag 16 goals and provide 11 assists by the end of the 2020-21 WSL campaign.

The 28-year-old forward has already scooped the 2021 FWA Women's Footballer of the Year and PFA Women's Players' Player of the Year awards. 

Ashley Lawrence (Paris Saint-Germain, Canada)

Ashley Lawrence is another member of Canada's Olympic champions. 

And the 26-year-old ace was also instrumental in helping PSG end Lyon's 14-year title-winning streak.

Lieke Martens (Barcelona, Netherlands)

Barcelona achieved an outstanding continental treble last season and Lieke Martens proved pivotal in their success.

The Dutch international, 28, netted 20 goals and 16 assists for her club.

Samantha Mewis (North Carolina Courage, United States)

Samantha Mewis lifted the Women's FA Cup last season during a loan spell with Manchester City.

The 29-year-old midfielder scored 16 goals in all competitions and stands alone as the only United States international to feature on this year's shortlist.

Vivianne Miedema (Arsenal, Netherlands)

Vivianne Miedema continued to fire for Arsenal despite their poor form in the WSL last season.

The striker scored 18 times, with only Kerr netting more. 

Miedema, 25, bagged her 100th goal for the Gunners in September and is the WSL's all-time top goalscorer.

Sandra Panos (Barcelona, Spain)

Sandra Panos was a vital part of Barcelona's success last term. 

The Spanish stopper was named in the Women's Champions League Squad of the Season after her side beat Chelsea 4-0 in the final.

Irene Paredes (Barcelona, Spain)

Irene Paredes joined Barcelona during the summer after winning the title with PSG. 

Paredes, 30, is Spain's captain and was named the Women's Champions League Defender of the Season following the French club's run to the semis. 

Alexia Putellas (Barcelona, Spain)

Alexia Putellas fired on all cylinders as Barca picked up three trophies last season. 

The 27-year-old was on target in the Champions League final and as she became the highest-scoring midfielder in Europe.

She won UEFA Women's Player of the Year award and was included in the Women's Champions League Squad of the Season. 

Wendie Renard (Lyon, France)

Wendie Renard had an impressive individual campaign for Lyon last season. 

Despite a lack of silverware for the first time in 15 years, the 31-year-old impressed once again for the French outfit. 

Christine Sinclair (Portland Thorns, Canada)

Christine Sinclair is the third and final Canadian nomination for the 2021 Ballon d'Or.

The 38-year-old has won more than 300 caps for her country and scored in five Women's World Cups.

She netted six times for Portland Thorns as they won the National Women's Soccer League in 2020-21.

Ellen White (Manchester City, England)

Rounding off our list is Manchester City star Ellen White.

The striker, 32, was named England Women's Player of the Year for the third time after a fine season.

She scored 10 goals in the WSL last term and netted a hat-trick for Team GB in the quarter-finals of the Olympics against Australia.