Alexia Putellas Wins Third Ballon d'Or Feminin

Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas won the Ballon d'Or Féminin for the third time on Monday, Oct. 26, 2026, during a ceremony held at the London Palladium. The prestigious recognition officially concludes a three-year reign by her former FC Barcelona and international teammate Aitana Bonmatí, who dominated the award previously.

Bonmatí missed significant playing time throughout the 2026 season due to a leg fracture sustained at the end of 2025, clearing the path for Putellas to reclaim the top prize. Putellas previously secured the Ballon d'Or in 2021 and 2022 before returning to the pinnacle of women's soccer following a challenging recovery from a previous anterior cruciate ligament injury.

During the judging period, Putellas delivered stellar performances for both club and country. She recorded numerous goals and assists, guiding Barcelona to a historic quadruple that included the UEFA Women's Champions League title, the Liga F crown, the Copa de la Reina, and the Spanish Super Cup. She also captained Barcelona to a 4-0 victory over Lyon in the Champions League final, earning the tournament's Player of the Season award, and helped Spain capture the UEFA Nations League title.

The achievement places Putellas alongside Bonmatí as the only women to win the Ballon d'Or Féminin three times. Her exceptional campaign saw her defeat a competitive shortlist of finalists that included Manchester City and Jamaica standout Khadija "Bunny" Shaw, Lyon and Haiti star Melchie Dumornay, and her former Barcelona teammate Ewa Pajor.

Reflecting on her career milestone and overcoming major injuries, Putellas noted the profound perspective she has gained. "I try to enjoy every moment as if it were the last, because you never know if an opportunity like this will come around again," she remarked regarding her recovery journey.

Earlier in the summer, Putellas made a high-profile move from Barcelona to the London City Lionesses in the Women's Super League after spending 14 years with the Catalan club. This transfer made her the first active WSL player to win the Ballon d'Or Féminin.

The gala in London also heavily highlighted the dominance of FC Barcelona in the women's game. Alongside Putellas, other members of the club were recognized globally, with Vicky López securing the Kopa Trophy for best young player, Cata Coll winning the award for best goalkeeper, and Pere Romeu being named the best women's coach.