Overview:
Haitian soccer star Melchie Daëlle Dumornay has made historical past once more by changing into the primary Haitian participant to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or. Nevertheless, her possibilities of successful the celebrated award are slim as a result of Haiti didn’t take part in any main worldwide tournaments throughout the 2024-25 season, and her membership, Olympique Lyonnais, was eradicated early within the UEFA Ladies’s Champions League.
CAP-HAÏTIEN — Mirebalais native Melchie Daëlle “Corventina” Dumornay continues to attain what as soon as appeared unreachable for Haitian athletes on the worldwide stage.
After successful the CONCACAF Participant of the Yr in 2024, Dumornay made historical past once more on Aug. 7 by changing into the primary Haitian ever nominated for the France Soccer Women’s Ballon d’Or, putting her amongst the top 30 players on the planet this yr. Dumornay wasn’t nominated final yr regardless of reaching the UEFA Ladies’s Champions League closing, which annoyed followers and native analysts—particularly given she gained the CONCACAF award forward of 5 American gamers who have been nominated.
“That is big for the nation as a result of it is a participant who was developed in Haiti,” stated Otniel Despagne, a educated soccer fan in Port-au-Prince.
“We’re very completely satisfied. This can be a lovely picture for the nation. Congrats to Dumornay.”
The Haitian famous person was a robust contender to win the Ballon d’Or as of April. Nevertheless, her membership, French large Olympique Lyonnais—lately rebranded OL Lyonnes—was eradicated within the Champions League semifinals and solely secured the home league title.
On the worldwide degree, Haiti did not qualify for main tournaments, together with the 2025 Gold Cup. The nationwide group’s underwhelming performances, largely because of inside administrative points, considerably damage Dumornay’s possibilities of successful the celebrated award—even being shortlisted among the many high finalists.
The versatile midfielder at the moment ranks 14th in Goal.com’s Ballon d’Or predictions. Spanish gamers, former winner Alexia Putellas and Mariona Caldentey, are thought-about the frontrunners—Putellas gained a home treble with FC Barcelona, together with La Liga, Copa de la Reina and the Supercopa, whereas Caldentey claimed the Champions League title with Arsenal and helped Spain end second within the UEFA Ladies’s Championship.
Different favorites for the award embrace Spanish participant and present holder Aitana Bonmatí and English participant Hannah Hampton, who gained a home treble with Chelsea and lifted the EURO 2025 trophy with England — incomes a spot on the group of the match.
This yr marks the primary time the awards are increasing to incorporate a ladies’s Kopa and Yachine trophies for youthful gamers and goalkeepers, respectively — as with the lads’s awards.
The timeframe for the award runs from Aug. 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025. The standards embrace particular person performances, group performances and sportsmanship, with worldwide competitions being rated extremely for a high end.
As a result of worldwide competitions carry substantial weight in Ballon d’Or alternatives, Dumornay’s probabilities in future years could stay slim until Haiti qualifies for main tournaments or she secures a number of trophies with Lyon.
“Worldwide competitions rely quite a bit—it’s a plus for the opposite gamers she’s competing with,” stated Despagne, 28. “However that alone shouldn’t cease her from successful. If she had saved her rhythm and gained the Champions League, she would’ve gained the Ballon d’Or. That’s my opinion.”
A standout season on the membership degree
Regardless of the nationwide group’s absence, Dumornay had a dominant season along with her membership OL Lyon. She led the group in scoring throughout all competitions with 22 targets in 29 video games, taking part in primarily as a midfielder.
She was named the UEFA Ladies’s Champions League Younger Participant of the Season, contributing considerably to the membership’s semifinal run. Dumornay scored twice in a 5-1 mixture win over Bayern Munich within the quarterfinals, together with a vital equalizer within the second leg.
Within the semifinals, she netted the successful objective in a 2-1 first-leg victory over Arsenal. She additionally scored within the second leg, though Lyon misplaced 4-1, ending their Champions League marketing campaign.
The winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or can be introduced on Sept. 22 on the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France. Whereas Dumornay is unlikely to take residence probably the most coveted trophy this yr, her nomination alone marks a historic second for Haitian sports activities—and Haiti itself.