FOOTBALL
Putellas wins record-equalling third Ballon d'Or to extend Spanish dominance
Alexia Putellas has won the Ballon d'Or Feminin for a record-equalling third time, keeping the prize in Spanish hands for a sixth consecutive year. The 32-year-old Spain midfielder captained Barcelona to Champions League glory as part of a quadruple in 2025-26 before joining London City Lionesses in July. Putellas' victory caps a remarkable return after a career-threatening ACL injury in 2022. She scored 21 goals and provided 13 assists in all competitions last season, ranking third and second respectively among players in Europe's top five leagues. The award was decided by an international panel of journalists, with Ewa Pajor finishing second and Khadija Shaw third. Putellas, nicknamed 'La Reina', said she wants to inspire boys and girls to play football regardless of their background. Her move to the WSL has been successful, with three goals and one assist in seven games so far.
The Transfer Siren · 26 October 2026
Alexia Putellas has won the Ballon d'Or Feminin for a record-equalling third time, keeping the prize in Spanish hands for a sixth consecutive year. The 32-year-old Spain midfielder captained Barcelona to Champions League glory as part of a quadruple in 2025-26 before joining London City Lionesses in July. Putellas' victory caps a remarkable return after a career-threatening ACL injury in 2022. She scored 21 goals and provided 13 assists in all competitions last season, ranking third and second respectively among players in Europe's top five leagues. The award was decided by an international panel of journalists, with Ewa Pajor finishing second and Khadija Shaw third. Putellas, nicknamed 'La Reina', said she wants to inspire boys and girls to play football regardless of their background. Her move to the WSL has been successful, with three goals and one assist in seven games so far.
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