Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas has claimed the Ballon d'Or Feminin for a record-equalling third time, ensuring the accolade remains in Spanish possession for a sixth consecutive campaign. The 32-year-old, who captained Barcelona to a quadruple including Champions League glory in 2025-26, drew level with international team-mate Aitana Bonmati on three individual crowns. Putellas topped the poll conducted by international journalists across Fifa's top-50 ranked countries, finishing ahead of Barcelona forward Ewa Pajor in second and Manchester City's Khadija Shaw in third, while England captain Harry Kane claimed the men's award.
The victory marks an extraordinary return to the sport's summit for Putellas, who suffered a career-threatening anterior cruciate ligament injury on the eve of Euro 2022. Having played only a bit-part role during Spain's 2023 World Cup triumph, she returned to prominence by carrying Barcelona's creative weight last term during Bonmati's five-month injury absence. Reflecting on her path upon receiving the trophy, Putellas shared an empowering message: "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. Doesn't matter where you come from. Don't listen if someone tells you, you can't do it. Believe in yourself."
Widely known as 'La Reina', the midfielder's numbers validated her world-class standing. Across all competitions, Putellas scored 21 goals and supplied 13 assists, while generating 89 total chances—including 19 big chances—and completing 965 passes ending in the final third across Liga F, the Champions League, Copa de la Reina, and the Supercopa de Espana. Her decisive output also carried onto the international stage, where she struck two goals in a 4-0 defeat of England in June to confirm Spain's qualification for the 2027 World Cup.
The recognition comes during a major new phase in Putellas' career, following her July exit from Barcelona at the conclusion of a 14-year spell that yielded 38 trophies. Choosing a fresh venture, she linked up with US billionaire Michelle Kang's project at London City Lionesses. Early into her tenure, she has already tallied three goals and one assist in seven Women's Super League fixtures, having told BBC's Women's Football Weekly: "I'm just always looking forward to better things and that's why I'm here too, because I always need to be moving as a person and a player."