Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026: Alexia Putellas wins her third trophy

Alexia Putellas won the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or on Monday, October 26, in London. The Spanish international joins compatriot Aitana Bonmatí among the players to have been crowned three times and takes back the trophy after the latter’s two consecutive victories.

Alexia Putellas is back at the summit of women’s football. The Spanish midfielder was named the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or winner at the 70th ceremony held at the Palladium Theatre in London. She wins the award for the third time in her career, after her triumphs in 2021 and 2022.

With this new trophy, the Spanish player joins Aitana Bonmatí, also a three-time Women’s Ballon d’Or winner. Putellas thus takes the award back from her compatriot, who won the 2023 and 2024 editions before giving up her place in the honours list.

Also read: 2026 Ballon d’Or: Harry Kane wins the Gerd Müller Trophy

A season marked by a quadruple with Barça

The award caps a particularly successful season with FC Barcelona Women. Before joining the London City Lionesses in summer 2026, Alexia Putellas contributed to the Catalan club’s quadruple.

Her influence on Barcelona’s play and her role in her team’s successes strengthened her candidacy for this individual honour. Her move to England now allows her to play for the London City Lionesses in the Women’s Super League (WSL).

Putellas is also making history in the English league: she is the first player from a WSL club to win the Women’s Ballon d’Or.

At 32, the Spaniard adds a third major individual award to her honours list. She confirms her place among the most decorated players in the history of women’s football and regains an award she had already won two years in a row.

Nouya M'toama

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