Alexia Putellas has secured her record-equalling third Ballon d’Or Feminin, a monumental achievement that underscores her enduring status as the world’s premier midfielder. The 32-year-old Spain international claimed the prestigious honor following a transformative 2025-26 campaign where she captained Barcelona to a historic quadruple, including Champions League glory. This latest triumph marks a remarkable resurgence for Putellas, who overcame a career-threatening anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in 2022 to return to the pinnacle of global football and reclaim her place as the sport’s defining figure.
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The award extends Spain’s unprecedented dominance in the Ballon d’Or Feminin, marking the sixth consecutive year the prize has remained in Spanish hands. Putellas now joins her former Barcelona teammate Aitana Bonmati, who claimed the award in 2023, 2024, and 2025, creating a unique dyad of excellence that has defined the last half-decade of women’s football. Since Norway’s Ada Hegerberg won in 2018 and the United States’ Megan Rapinoe in 2019, no other nation has broken through, highlighting the depth and sustained quality of the Spanish national team and its club ecosystem.
Putellas’ career statistics further solidify her legacy, with 38 major trophies accumulated over 14 years of elite competition. Her decision to join Women’s Super League side London City Lionesses in July signals a new chapter in her career, bringing her elite experience to a growing league in the UK. By winning the Ballon d’Or after transitioning to a new club, Putellas has not only matched Bonmati’s record but also demonstrated that her influence and performance standards remain at the absolute highest level, regardless of league or club affiliation.
Source: BBC Sport
