Alexia Putellas Matches Record with Third Ballon d'Or Feminin After Stellar Season

Alexia Putellas has reclaimed her spot at the top of women’s football by winning her third Ballon d’Or Feminin, tying the record held by her teammate Aitana Bonmati. This achievement continues Spain's stronghold on the award, which they have claimed for six consecutive years.

Spanish Players Dominate the Award

At 32, Putellas, nicknamed 'La Reina,' won the 2026 Ballon d’Or Feminin after an outstanding season with Barcelona and the Spanish national team. Alongside Bonmati, she has shared every Ballon d’Or Feminin title since 2021. The award was decided by journalists from FIFA’s top 50 countries, where Putellas outperformed former Barcelona teammate Ewa Pajor, who placed second, and Manchester City’s forward Khadija Shaw, who came third.

An Emotional Acceptance

"We lived incredible moments as a team, we overcame certain difficulties in the form of injuries. It was a pride to be captain of all of you," said Putellas during her acceptance speech.She also acknowledged her support system: "This trophy is for my work, but especially for those close to me—family, friends, and my off-field team. When my leg failed and I struggled to walk and run again, they were there for me."

Outstanding Performance in a Quadruple-Winning Season

Putellas played a key role in Barcelona’s historic quadruple win, scoring 21 goals and assisting 13 times across all competitions. With Aitana Bonmati sidelined for five months due to injury, Putellas carried much of the creative load. She completed more passes into the final third and created more chances than any other player in Europe’s major leagues.

• Champions League Stats: 7 goals scored, contributing to Barcelona’s fourth continental title in six years.
• Involvements: 151 sequences leading to shots, highlighting her playmaking influence despite veteran status.

New Chapter with London City Lionesses

After her contract expired in Catalonia, Putellas moved to the Women’s Super League, joining the London City Lionesses—a club supported by billionaire Michelle Kang. She quickly made an impact, tallying three goals and one assist in seven appearances, proving her quality transcends leagues.

Encouraging Young Players Worldwide

"All the boys and girls around the world—if you love football and want to play, just play. It doesn't matter if you're a boy or girl or where you come from. Don’t listen if someone tells you can't do it. Believe in yourself," Putellas urged, inspiring the next generation.