Alexia Putellas Matches Record with Third Ballon d'Or Féminin After Stellar Season
Alexia Putellas, now part of the London City Lionesses, has secured her third Ballon d'Or Féminin, tying the record held by fellow Spaniard Aitana Bonmati. This achievement crowns a remarkable season where Putellas played a central role in Barcelona's historic quadruple triumph.
Spanish Football's Continued Reign at the Top
By winning the 2026 Ballon d'Or Féminin, the 32-year-old midfielder—often called "La Reina"—continues Spain’s stronghold on this prestigious award for the sixth year running. Putellas and Bonmati have dominated the accolade, sharing all six trophies since Putellas first claimed it in 2021.
The award was decided through an international vote by journalists from FIFA's top 50 footballing nations. Putellas emerged clearly ahead, surpassing former Barcelona teammate Ewa Pajor, who finished second, and Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw, who took third place. Her victory carries extra weight given her comeback from a serious ACL injury 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 during her acceptance speech.
She also expressed deep gratitude to those who supported her recovery, including family and close friends. "It is a trophy for my work, but these people who have family, mother, sister, friends, all my team off the field... I remember when my leg failed, the pains in my knee, when I learned to walk and run again, and when I had the most doubts, you were there," she added emotionally.
Outstanding Numbers Backing a Quadruple-Winning Campaign
Putellas’s performance was extraordinary, tallying 21 goals and 13 assists across all competitions. Barcelona’s quadruple success was partly thanks to her stepping up amid Bonmati’s five-month absence due to injury. She topped major European leagues by completing the most passes into the final third and creating more chances than any other player.
- Goals in Champions League: 7
- Sequence involvements ending in shots: 151
- WSL appearances for London City Lionesses: 7
- WSL goals: 3
- WSL assists: 1
In the Champions League, only strikers like Ewa Pajor and Alessia Russo outscored her. Her influence on the pitch remains formidable despite being one of the more experienced players in her squad.
New Chapter in the Women’s Super League
Summer 2026 saw Putellas embark on a fresh challenge in England’s Women’s Super League. She joined the London City Lionesses, a club backed by billionaire Michelle Kang, after her contract ended in Catalonia. The transition hasn’t slowed her down; she has already made a notable impact with three goals and one assist in seven games.
Encouraging the Next Generation
Putellas shared an inspiring message aimed at young footballers worldwide, urging them to follow their passion regardless of gender or background. "All the boys and girls around the world—if you love football and if you want to play football, play football. It doesn't matter if you're a boy or a girl. Doesn't matter where you come from. Don't listen if someone tells you, you can't do it. Believe in yourself," she declared.
