Arsenal star Mariona Caldentey has been shortlisted for the World Sport Star of the Year award, where the winner will be announced at the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year awards.
Mariona Caldentey shortlisted for World Sport Star of the Year award
The BBC confirmed the Spanish international as one of six contenders for the award, which was last won by Swedish pole vaulter Armand Duplantis last year.
Caldentey could become the first women’s footballer to win the prize, which has been handed out since 1960.
In the last 10 years, the only female athletes to win the award were gymnast Simone Biles in 2016 and jockey Rachael Blackmore in 2021.
Caldentey’s nomination comes after a stunning first season at Arsenal. The Spaniard scored 19 goals in 41 appearances, helping Arsenal to win the Women’s Champions League.
She also netted during the Women’s Euro 2025 final, which Spain lost out to England on penalties.
Caldentey had been a favourite for the Ballon d’Or award, but finished second behind Aitana Bonmati.
The Arsenal star faces stiff competition to win the World Sport Star of the Year award.
The shortlist includes Liverpool men’s star Mohamed Salah, on the back of his fallout with manager Arne Slot. Like Caldentey, Salah was named as the PFA Players’ Player of the Year for last season.
BBC World Sport Star of the Year award nominees
There are six stars nominated for the BBC World Sport Star of the Year award:
- Mariona Caldentey (football)
- Terence Crawford (boxing)
- Armand Duplantis (pole vaulting)
- Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone (athletics)
- Shohei Otani (baseball)
- Mohamed Salah (football)
Congratulations to the nominees for the World Sport Star award at BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2025!
⭐️Mariona Caldentey
⭐️Terence Crawford
⭐️Armand Duplantis
⭐️Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone
⭐️Shohei Ohtani
⭐️Mohamed SalahVoting and Ts&Cs: https://t.co/y2alPj4nWF#BBCSpoty pic.twitter.com/nmYec1hJYL
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 9, 2025
Awards won by Mariona Caldentey in 2025
Mariona Caldentey has had an excellent 2025 and has won a host of individual awards.
She won both the WSL Player of the Season and PFA Players’ Player of the Season for 2024-25.
Caldentey was also named in the PFA WSL Team of the Year, as well as the Champions League Team of the Season.
She also won the Champions League Goal of the Season after her stunner against Lyon in the semi-finals.
However, she was surprisingly snubbed from the FIFPRO World XI shortlist, which is unusual for a player who finished second in the Ballon d’Or running.
Could other Arsenal win prizes at the BBC Sports Personality of the Year?
Michelle Agyemang is a favourite to win the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year after she made the shortlist.
Chloe Kelly is also a strong contender to win the main prize at the ceremony, after her influential performances off the bench for England at Euro 2025.
Chelsea goalkeeper Hannah Hampton is also expected to be on the shortlist for her penalty shootout heroics at Euro 2025, as well as helping Chelsea win the domestic treble last season.
They are expected to face strong competition from golfer Rory McIlroy and new Formula One world champion Lando Norris.
