Alexia Putellas lifts a record-equalling third Ballon d'Or after the season of her life

Fourteen years and 38 trophies with Barcelona. A career-threatening ACL injury, overcome. And now, a third Ballon d'Or Féminin for Alexia Putellas — equalling the record held by her compatriot Aitana Bonmatí, in an extraordinary double for Spanish women's football. Putellas captained Barcelona to a domestic and European quadruple in the 2025–26 season, scoring 21 goals and providing 13 assists, and helped Spain qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. In July she began a new chapter with London City Lionesses. In her acceptance speech, she encouraged young footballers everywhere to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams — advice she has now backed up across one of the most decorated careers the women's game has seen.