Melchie Dumornay makes history as first Haitian nominated for Ballon d’Or

CAP-HAÏTIEN — Mirebalais native Melchie Daëlle “Corventina” Dumornay continues to achieve what once seemed unreachable for Haitian athletes on the global stage. 

After winning the CONCACAF Player of the Year in 2024, Dumornay made history again on Aug. 7 by becoming the first Haitian ever nominated for the France Football Women’s Ballon d’Or, placing her among the top 30 players in the world this year. Dumornay wasn’t nominated last year despite reaching the UEFA Women’s Champions League final, which frustrated fans and local analysts—especially given she won the CONCACAF award ahead of five American players who were nominated.

“This is huge for the country because this is a player who was developed in Haiti,” said Otniel Despagne, a knowledgeable soccer fan in Port-au-Prince.

“We’re very happy. This is a beautiful image for the country. Congrats to Dumornay.”

The Haitian superstar was a strong contender to win the Ballon d’Or as of April. However, her club, French giant Olympique Lyonnais—recently rebranded OL Lyonnes—was eliminated in the Champions League semifinals and only secured the domestic league title. 

At the international level, Haiti failed to qualify for major tournaments, including the 2025 Gold Cup. The national team’s underwhelming performances, largely due to internal administrative issues, significantly hurt Dumornay’s chances of winning the prestigious award—even being shortlisted among the top finalists.

The versatile midfielder currently ranks 14th in Goal.com’s Ballon d’Or predictions. Spanish players, former winner Alexia Putellas and  Mariona Caldentey, are considered the frontrunners—Putellas won a domestic treble with FC Barcelona, including La Liga, Copa de la Reina and the Supercopa, while Caldentey claimed the Champions League title with Arsenal and helped Spain finish second in the UEFA Women’s Championship.

Other favorites for the award include Spanish player and current holder Aitana Bonmatí and English player Hannah Hampton, who won a domestic treble with Chelsea and lifted the EURO 2025 trophy with England — earning a spot on the team of the tournament.

This year marks the first time the awards are expanding to include a women’s Kopa and Yachine trophies for younger players and goalkeepers, respectively — as with the men’s awards. 

The timeframe for the award runs from Aug. 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025. The criteria include individual performances, team performances and sportsmanship, with international competitions being rated highly for a top finish. 

Because international competitions carry substantial weight in Ballon d’Or selections, Dumornay’s chances in future years may remain slim unless Haiti qualifies for major tournaments or she secures multiple trophies with Lyon.

“International competitions count a lot—it’s a plus for the other players she’s competing with,” said Despagne, 28. “But that alone should not stop her from winning. If she had kept her rhythm and won the Champions League, she would’ve won the Ballon d’Or. That’s my opinion.”

A standout season at the club level

Despite the national team’s absence, Dumornay had a dominant season with her club OL Lyon. She led the team in scoring across all competitions with 22 goals in 29 games, playing primarily as a midfielder.

She was named the UEFA Women’s Champions League Young Player of the Season, contributing significantly to the club’s semifinal run. Dumornay scored twice in a 5-1 aggregate win over Bayern Munich in the quarterfinals, including a crucial equalizer in the second leg.

In the semifinals, she netted the winning goal in a 2-1 first-leg victory over Arsenal. She also scored in the second leg, although Lyon lost 4-1, ending their Champions League campaign.

The winner of the 2025 Ballon d’Or will be announced on Sept. 22 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, France. While Dumornay is unlikely to take home the most coveted trophy this year, her nomination alone marks a historic moment for Haitian sports—and Haiti itself.

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