Alexia Putellas Overcomes Injury to Win Third Ballon d'Or

On Monday, Alexia Putellas secured her third Ballon d'Or, capping a remarkable journey back to the top of women’s football after a devastating injury in 2022.

Her triumph was not just about the 2025-26 season, when she helped Barcelona capture a quadruple, but also about overcoming challenges that began more than two years earlier.

The Defining Moment in Bilbao

During the 2024 Women’s Champions League final, with Barcelona narrowly leading Lyon 1-0 in stoppage time, coach Jonatan Giraldez brought on Putellas and Claudia Pina. The pair combined for a decisive goal as Pina set up Putellas, whose powerful finish sealed the victory, sparking celebrations among the Barca supporters in Bilbao.

This moment marked a turning point for Putellas, who had been sidelined by an ACL injury since summer 2022, just before the European Championship. Despite playing at a level worthy of a second Ballon d'Or before her injury, the two years following were fraught with physical and mental challenges.

The Long Road from Injury

Fans vividly recall July 5, 2022, when news broke that Putellas had suffered an ACL tear right before the Euros started. The injury kept her out for nearly ten months, and her return was cautious. She struggled to regain her peak form, which explained her limited impact during the 2023 Women’s World Cup despite Spain's success.

Later that year, a meniscus operation added another setback, forcing her to miss four months of the 2023-24 season.

A Moment of Liberation

Putellas described her goal in the 2024 Champions League final as freeing. It reminded observers of her true ability and gave her the confidence needed to push forward. Just before scoring, she made a crucial tackle on Lyon's Melchie Dumornay, highlighting her renewed presence on the pitch.

“Physically you can be good, but if mentally you’re not there, you’re tense, you can’t control yourself as you did,” Putellas told The Guardian. “It’s not that I came off the pitch that day thinking, ‘I can do it,’ so much as, ‘that’s it, time’s come.’ The cruciate, the meniscus, the whole injury, you’ve closed that cycle. Done. I felt free.”

Rising to New Levels

After that breakthrough, Putellas shone at the 2024 Olympics as Spain’s standout player. The 2024-25 season saw her deliver 27 goals and 21 assists, helping Barcelona win a domestic treble and reach the Champions League final. Many thought she deserved the Ballon d'Or then, but Aitana Bonmati won, while Arsenal’s Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo also had strong cases.

Reflecting on that period, Putellas said, “Two years later, I see it: my level is completely different, even if at the time you don’t realise. You know that feeling, that sense of security when it’s like you’re capable of anything? At that moment [of the ACL injury], I felt it. And now I’ve got that feeling once again.”

Consistency Amid Challenges

In the 2025-26 season, Putellas maintained world-class form, scoring 24 goals and providing 13 assists. Her efforts contributed to another domestic treble, a fourth Champions League title with Barcelona, and helped Spain win the Nations League.

She stepped up as key teammates faced injuries. Bonmati missed five months with a leg break, and Patri Guijarro was sidelined for three months. Putellas not only delivered on the field but also supported younger players, showing leadership both during matches and training.

Esmee Brugts, one of Barcelona's promising talents, said, "She’s a player who always tries to help other girls, to get the best out of them. What people see in games is that she can really be a leader, but also in training, she is always demanding at least 100 per cent from everyone, and from herself in the first place. She’s really an example."

Big Moments and Lasting Impact

Putellas delivered in crucial moments: a game-winning free-kick against Sweden in the Nations League semi-final; three goals and three assists in nine days versus Real Madrid; a vital performance against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semis; and two goals against England securing Spain’s direct World Cup qualification.

Her effortless style—whether dazzling defenders with skillful footwork or calmly finishing chances—made her stand out. The spark that reignited her career traces back to that night in Bilbao in May 2024, when a single strike lifted the weight of injury and doubt.

Her brilliance has returned fully, making her a deserving recipient of the 2026 Ballon d'Or.