'I had to check Ballon d'Or list was legit' - Scotland's Weir on making history

"I genuinely wasn't expecting it, so when I first saw it I wasn't quite sure if it was legit."

Given her summer was spent sitting on the sofa watching the European Championship on television rather than starring in Switzerland, it was perhaps understandable Caroline Weir was a little surprised at her name being on the 2025 Ballon d'Or shortlist.

In fact, the 30-year-old - who missed out on her third major tournament in a row with Scotland - actually checked to make sure the list was real.

However her form for Real Madrid in her self-proclaimed "comeback season" following 11 months out with a serious knee injury, was sufficiently formidable to get her among the 30 females vying for the prestigious award.

It is a historic moment too, given the midfielder is the first female Scot to be nominated for the award, the winner of which will be named in Paris on Monday.

Weir is noted for her modesty despite her status as one of Europe's top players and she is taming expectations before the evening at the Theatre du Chatelet.

She does admit, though, she is thrilled to be brushing shoulders with giants of the game - and intends to "soak it all in" in the grand surroundings.

"It's pretty cool to be included in that kind of company," Weir, who "genuinely cannot believe" her nomination, told BBC Scotland.

"It's huge for me just to be in the same room and on the same list as these players, so as much as I wasn't expecting it, I'm just trying to roll with it and enjoy it."

Considering the pain Weir had to endure in order to return to her peak, she deserves to enjoy dressing up and - quietly - partying in Paris.

Monday's ceremony falls just days shy of the two-year anniversary of her rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament in a Nations League draw with Belgium at Hampden Park.

It was a devastating blow for the then 28-year-old, who had just posted phenomenal numbers in her first season in Spain.

With 28 goals in all competitions after moving from Manchester City, Weir admits she may have had a stronger Ballon d'Or case a couple of years ago.

"I think statistically you would maybe say a nomination like this might come after my first season at Madrid, when my stats were the best they've been," the Galactica's record scorer said.

"Last season was my comeback season and I really didn't put too much pressure on it, so I think for those reasons, it does make this nomination more special for me.

"You don't set out and aim for these kind of things, especially when you're coming back from a serious injury, so I'm proud of the way I've come back - it's pretty tough and can take quite a bit of time, with a lot of self-doubt.

"It's nice for me personally to have this, knowing what has gone on to lead to it."

The fact Champions League winner Kim Little and eight-time Women's Super League champion Erin Cuthbert have never been nominated since the award's inception in 2018 is not lost on Weir.

Her inclusion is an especially impressive achievement given she had no international stage to dazzle on - something she is desperate to change.

Scotland's absence from Euro 2025 followed missing the World Cup two years before that and the delayed Euros in 2022.

However, already in the early days of Melissa Andreatta's reign - who Weir cites as "a breath of fresh air" - sands have shifted.

Stalwarts have stepped aside, allowing the spotlight to shine on younger stars and peak performers such as Weir, whose international ambition burns fiercely.

"The big one is another tournament with Scotland," replied Weir, when asked what was still left for her to achieve.

"That is just really at the forefront of my brain. It never gets easier seeing teams like Switzerland and Finland there.

"We want to be there. I really want to be there - I really want to be at the World Cup in 2027, so that's the big one."

Weir will waltz up to Monday's elegant event with her "Scottish hat on" and an abundance of "intrigue".

She is keen to capture as many pictures as possible, and a snap with fellow Scottish nominee Scott McTominay feels a near-certainty.

Weir hopes she and the Napoli midfielder will inspire young Scots on a stage she could only dream of reaching.

McTominay is the first male Scot to make the list since Ally McCoist in 1987 - which was eight years before Weir was born.

She naturally cannot recall that moment, but her parents Mhairi and Lindsay can.

The doting duo - who "came across really well" in their daughter's documentary 'Galactica', external, according to the player - tried their arm at getting an invitation, but to no avail.

"They were really happy [at the nomination] - they wanted to come," Weir added. "But I was like, 'no guys, not this time'!

"Although I've been nominated, the chances are slim that I'm going to be anywhere near the top of the list because there are some great players there.

"Maybe another time. I'll keep working hard - but I think they just wanted the night out in Paris..."