Alexia Putellas wins historic third Women's Ballon d'Or

The 32-year-old Putellas enjoyed a stellar 2025–26 campaign, captaining Barcelona to a remarkable quadruple, including the UEFA Women's Champions League title, before transferring to Women's Super League (WSL) club London City Lionesses last July.

With this victory, Putellas matches national teammate Aitana Bonmatí's record of three Women's Ballon d'Or titles. Putellas previously won back-to-back awards in 2021 and 2022, followed by Bonmatí's three consecutive triumphs in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Between them, the two Spanish stars have locked down the award every year since 2019, following prior wins by Norway's Ada Hegerberg in 2018 and the United States' Megan Rapinoe in 2019.

Putellas' latest accolade marks a remarkable return to the pinnacle of world football after she suffered a career-threatening anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in 2022.

Accepting the award, Putellas delivered an inspiring message to young football fans: "I want to tell all boys and girls around the world: if you love football and want to play, just play. It doesn't matter if you are a boy or a girl. Where you come from is not important either. If someone tells you that you can't do it, don't listen to them. Believe in yourself."

Voting was conducted by a panel of journalists representing the top 50 countries in the FIFA rankings. Barcelona striker Ewa Pajor finished second in the voting, while Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw placed third.

Meanwhile, the men's Ballon d'Or was claimed by England captain Harry Kane, making him the first English player to win the accolade since Michael Owen in 2001.