London: Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas has won the Ballon d’Or Féminin for the third time, matching her compatriot Aitana Bonmatí’s record and extending Spain’s dominance of the award to six consecutive years.
Nicknamed ‘La Reina’ – meaning the queen- the 32-year-old captained Barcelona to Champions League success during a quadruple-winning 2025-26 season before moving to Women’s Super League (WSL) club London City Lionesses in July.
Putellas joins Bonmati as a three-time winner of the prestigious individual award. Bonmati secured the honour in 2023, 2024 and 2025, while Putellas won it in 2021 and 2022. The Spanish duo have claimed the past six editions, following victories by Norway’s Ada Hegerberg in 2018 and the United States’ Megan Rapinoe in 2019.
ALEXIA PUTELLAS. BALLON D’OR WINNER. 🏆 https://t.co/o1bFwgV60q
— London City Lionesses (@LC_Lionesses) October 26, 2026
The latest award marks a significant milestone in Putellas’ comeback after an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in 2022 threatened to derail her career.
“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,” Putellas said, encouraging young players around the world to pursue their ambitions and believe in themselves regardless of their background.
An international panel of journalists representing FIFA’s top 50-ranked countries voted Putellas the winner. Barcelona striker Ewa Pajor finished second, while Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw placed third.
Meanwhile, England captain Harry Kane won the men’s Ballon d’Or, becoming the first English player to receive the award since Michael Owen in 2001.
From Barcelona Fan to Three-Time Ballon d’Or Winner
Born in Mollet del Vallès, around 12 miles northeast of Barcelona, Putellas developed a passion for football while growing up in Catalonia. She became a Barcelona supporter at a young age and regularly attended matches at Camp Nou.
Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Andrés Iniesta, along with Brazilian stars Rivaldo and Ronaldinho, was among her childhood idols. After attending a football camp run by Xavi and playing for local club CE Sabadell, Putellas spent a year at Barcelona’s renowned La Masia academy.
Following spells at Espanyol and Levante, the midfielder returned to Barcelona in 2012. Over the next 14 years, Putellas won 38 trophies with her childhood club, including 10 league titles and four European cups.
However, her career suffered a major setback when an ACL injury sustained shortly before Euro 2022 ruled her out of the tournament. Although Putellas retained the later that year, returning to her previous level took time. The midfielder played a limited role in Spain’s victorious 2023 Women’s World Cup campaign.
Putellas gradually regained her form, scoring in the 2024 Champions League final before taking on greater creative responsibility during the 2025-26 season as Bonmati spent five months sidelined through injury. Barcelona went on to complete a quadruple-winning campaign.
The Spain international also scored twice in a 4-0 victory over England in June, helping secure Spain’s place at the 2027 Women’s World Cup at the expense of the Lionesses.
With her Barcelona contract expiring, Putellas opted for a new challenge despite her long-standing connection with the club. After considering offers from England, Mexico and the United States, the midfielder joined London City Lionesses, an ambitious project backed by US billionaire Michelle Kang.
With three goals and one assist in seven WSL appearances for her new club, the three-time Ballon d’Or Féminin winner continues to make an impact in women’s football.
ALSO READ | Can toothpaste treat pimples? Experts warn of skin risks
