Alexia Putellas wins third Ballon d'Or Feminin to equal Aitana Bonmati's record after Barcelona and Spain heroics - 'Believe in yourself'
Updated 27/10/2026 at 00:12 GMT
Alexia Putellas has won the Ballon d’Or Feminin for a third time following a record-breaking campaign with Barcelona Femeni. The 32-year-old Spain international was crowned at a ceremony at the London Palladium on Monday.
London City Lionesses boss says 'challenge' of WSL can push Putellas to Ballon d'Or
Video credit: SNTV
Last season, Putellas scored 21 goals and registered 13 assists for Barcelona, captaining the Catalan side to a quadruple. She also netted five times in 10 appearances as Spain won the Nations League.
The midfielder, who joined WSL side London City Lionesses on a three-year deal this summer, becomes the sixth successive Spanish winner of the Women’s Ballon d’Or. Her triumphs in 2021 and 2022 were followed by three consecutive wins for Aitana Bonmati.
"I want to start by saying thank you, team-mates," Putellas said. "I think anyone here could have fairly won this trophy and be giving this speech here right now.
"It's a great pleasure to play alongside each and every single one of you. We've had incredible experiences as a team.
"We overcame some difficulties, some injuries, some moments we weren't expecting as a team, and a great pride for me as captain.
"All the boys and girls around the world - if you love football, and if you want to play football, play football. It doesn't matter if you're a boy or if you're a girl, it doesn't matter where you come from. Don't listen if someone tells you, 'you can't do it'. Believe in yourself."
Putellas captained Barcelona to a quadruple that included their third UEFA Women’s Champions League title in four years and a seventh consecutive Liga F crown.
Her third Ballon d’Or adds to an extensive trophy cabinet. During her time at Barcelona, she won 38 trophies, including 10 league titles.
This is Putellas’ first Ballon d’Or triumph since she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury on the eve of Euro 2022.
She returned to full fitness towards the end of the following campaign, and has since recaptured the form that earned her back-to-back Ballon d’Or awards in 2021 and 2022.
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Putellas beat former Barcelona team-mate Ewa Pajor to the prize, despite the Poland star netting 11 goals in 10 Champions League games last season, including a hat-trick in the final against Lyon. Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw finished third.
The award covers performances between August 3, 2025, and July 19, 2026, with players judged on individual performances, team achievements and fair play.
Journalists from 50 nations ranked their top 10 candidates, with points awarded on a descending scale.
The player with the highest total was crowned the winner.
Women's Ballon d'Or - top 10
- 1 - Alexia Putellas
- 2 - Ewa Pajor
- 3 - Khadija Shaw
- 4 - Melchie Dumornay
- 5 - Patri Guijarro
- 6 - Caroline Graham Hansen
- 7 - Pernille Harder
- 8 - Claudia Pina
- 9 - Alessia Russo
- 10 - Temwa Chawinga
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