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

Newly signed London City Lionesses midfielder Alexia Putellas has secured her third Ballon d'Or Féminin, tying the record held by her Spanish teammate Aitana Bonmati. This achievement highlights a dominant period for Spanish football, with Putellas and Bonmati sharing the last six awards since 2021.

Spanish Players Continue to Lead World Football

At 32 years old, Putellas reclaimed her status as one of the best in women's football by winning the 2026 Ballon d'Or Féminin. Often called "La Reina," she earned the award after an international vote involving journalists from FIFA's top 50 nations. Putellas outpaced former Barcelona colleague Ewa Pajor, who finished second, and Manchester City's forward Khadija Shaw, who took third place.

This victory is especially meaningful given her recovery from a serious ACL injury sustained just before the 2022 European Championships.

An Emotional Acceptance Speech

"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," Putellas said on stage.

She also recognized the support from family and friends during her recovery, saying, "This trophy is for my work, but also for these people—my family, mother, sister, friends, and all my team off the field. I remember when my leg failed, the pains in my knee, learning to walk and run again, and when doubts overwhelmed me, you were there."

Outstanding Performance in a Historic Quadruple Season

Putellas’ triumph came after an exceptional season where she scored 21 goals and provided 13 assists across competitions. With Barcelona winning a quadruple, she stepped up to cover for the injured Bonmati, who missed five months.

Her creativity stood out as she completed more passes into the final third and created more chances than any player in Europe's major leagues.

• Champions League stats: 7 goals, 151 involvements leading to shots
• Comparison: Only strikers like Ewa Pajor and Alessia Russo outscored her in the competition

In the summer of 2026, Putellas moved to the Women's Super League by joining London City Lionesses, supported by billionaire Michelle Kang. Her start in England has been impressive, scoring three goals and assisting once in seven appearances.

Encouraging the Next Generation

"All boys and girls worldwide—if you love football and want to play, then play. It doesn't matter if you're a boy or a girl, or where you come from. Don't listen if someone says you can't do it. Believe in yourself," Putellas urged.

Her message emphasizes that passion and determination, not gender or background, should guide aspiring players everywhere.