Alexia Putellas Wins Third Ballon d’Or Féminin to Equal Record
Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas has won the 2026 Ballon d’Or Féminin for the third time. Her victory keeps the award in Spanish hands for a sixth consecutive year.
The 32-year-old captained Barcelona during a remarkable 2025–26 season. The team won the Champions League as part of a quadruple. In July, Putellas joined Women’s Super League side London City Lionesses.
Putellas Equals Aitana Bonmatí’s Ballon d’Or Record
Putellas now shares the record for the most Ballon d’Or Féminin wins with Spain teammate Aitana Bonmatí. The pair have each collected the award three times.
Putellas won in 2021 and 2022. Bonmatí followed with victories in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
As a result, the Spanish duo have claimed the past six awards. Norway’s Ada Hegerberg won in 2018, while United States star Megan Rapinoe took the prize in 2019.
Alexia Putellas Makes a Remarkable Comeback
Putellas’ latest achievement marks a significant return to the top of world football. In 2022, she suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury that threatened her career.
Since then, the midfielder has returned to top-level competition and continued to collect major honours. Her latest Ballon d’Or victory adds another milestone to her career.
During her acceptance speech, Putellas shared an inspiring message for young footballers around the world.
“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 if you’re a girl,” Putellas said.
“Doesn’t matter where you come from. Don’t listen if someone tells you, you can’t do it. Believe in yourself.”
Putellas Tops the 2026 Ballon d’Or Féminin Voting
An international panel of journalists from FIFA’s top-50 ranked countries voted for the award. Putellas received the most votes to secure her third title.
Barcelona striker Ewa Pajor finished second. Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw took third place.
Putellas’ victory further strengthens her place among the leading figures in women’s football. It also highlights her lasting influence on the sport.
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