Putellas wins record-equalling third Ballon d'Or

What the report says

Barcelona and Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas has won the Ballon d'Or Feminin for a record-equalling third time, according to BBC Sport Football. The award keeps the trophy in Spanish hands for a sixth straight year and places Putellas alongside Spain team-mate Aitana Bonmati on three wins each. BBC Sport reported that the latest result was decided by an international panel of journalists from Fifa’s top 50 ranked countries, with Barcelona striker Ewa Pajor second and Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw third.

The BBC said the 32-year-old helped Barcelona win a quadruple in 2025-26, including the Champions League, before moving to Women’s Super League club London City Lionesses in July. Her season included 21 goals and 13 assists across all competitions, as well as a major role in Barcelona’s domestic and European success. The report also noted that Barcelona won Liga F for a seventh consecutive season.

The award marks a comeback for Putellas after a serious ACL injury in 2022, which disrupted her career and kept her out of Euro 2022. BBC Sport placed her latest success in the context of a long career at Barcelona, where she won 38 trophies over 14 years before leaving for England. The recognition matters because it underscores both her individual return to top form and the continued dominance of Spanish players in the women’s game.