Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas has been crowned the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or winner, reclaiming one of football’s most prestigious individual honours after a remarkable season with Barcelona and a successful return to the highest level of the women’s game. Editorial Ethics & Independence
Putellas received the award at the Ballon d’Or ceremony held at the London Palladium on Monday, October 26, 2026. Her latest victory makes her a three-time winner, having previously claimed the honour in 2021 and 2022.
She now joins Spanish teammate Aitana Bonmatí as the only players to have won the Women’s Ballon d’Or three times since the award was introduced in 2018.
The 32-year-old’s achievement ends Bonmatí’s three-year dominance of the award, with the Barcelona midfielder having won it consecutively in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Putellas’ success also extends Spain’s remarkable run in the category, reflecting the country’s growing influence on women’s football at both club and international levels.
According to reports, Putellas’ award-winning campaign was built on her significant contribution to Barcelona’s success during the 2025–26 season. She captained the Spanish club through a trophy-laden campaign that included the UEFA Women’s Champions League, while helping the team maintain its position among Europe’s leading sides.
Putellas scored 21 goals and provided 13 assists in all competitions during the campaign, according to BBC Sport’s report. Her influence extended beyond goals and assists, with her passing, creativity and ability to dictate the pace of matches making her an important part of Barcelona’s attacking structure. She also scored seven goals in the Women’s Champions League as Barcelona secured another European title.
Her performances were particularly important during a season in which Bonmatí spent a significant period on the sidelines with an injury. Putellas took on additional creative responsibility and helped sustain Barcelona’s competitiveness across domestic and European competitions.
Her individual award also comes after a significant change in her club career. After spending 14 years with Barcelona, the club she joined in 2012, Putellas moved to England in July 2026 to join London City Lionesses. The transfer marked a new chapter for a player whose career had become closely associated with Barcelona’s rise to dominance in women’s football.
The move has also brought the influence of a Ballon d’Or winner to the Women’s Super League. Putellas’ experience, technical quality and reputation could help raise the profile of London City Lionesses as the club seeks to establish itself among the leading teams in English women’s football.
Her journey back to the top has not been without challenges. In 2022, Putellas suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury shortly before the European Championship, ruling her out of the tournament and interrupting a period in which she had established herself as one of the world’s outstanding players.
Although she retained the Ballon d’Or that year, her recovery required patience and determination. She returned to competition and gradually rebuilt her influence, while Spain’s triumph at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup came during a period in which she was still working her way back to full fitness. Reports, coverage of Spain’s World Cup campaign in 2023 also highlighted her return from the serious knee injury. Corrections Policy
Putellas’ latest recognition therefore represents more than another individual accolade. It reflects her ability to overcome a major setback, adapt to changing circumstances and remain influential in a highly competitive era for women’s football.
The award’s final rankings placed Barcelona striker Ewa Pajor second, while Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw finished third. Their positions underline the depth of talent in the women’s game and the competition Putellas faced in earning the honour.
Barcelona also enjoyed a successful evening at the ceremony, with coach Pere Romeu named Women’s Coach of the Year, Cata Coll winning Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year and Vicky López receiving the Women’s Young Talent award.
The club was also recognised as Women’s Club of the Year following its achievements during the 2025–26 season. Editorial Standards
For Putellas, the third Ballon d’Or adds another milestone to a career defined by technical excellence, leadership and resilience.
Having returned to the summit after injury and a major club transfer, she has once again demonstrated her standing among the leading figures in women’s football.
Her achievement also reinforces the growing global recognition of the women’s game, where players are increasingly celebrated for their individual quality, tactical influence and contributions to successful teams.