Alexia Putellas has claimed the 2026 Ballon d’Or Féminin at a ceremony held at the London Palladium, securing the third individual crown of her career. The recognition cements her status at the very peak of the sport and places her alongside the most decorated players in football history.
The award follows a brilliant campaign in which Putellas played a central role in Barcelona's success before her departure in the summer of 2026. Barcelona lifted the UEFA Women's Champions League trophy by defeating OL Lyonnes 4 to 0 in the final, complemented by further domestic honours during a trophy-filled season.
Putellas was named the 2025 to 2026 UEFA Women's Champions League Player of the Season after a dominant European run. She recorded seven goals and seven assists across 11 Champions League appearances, providing a total of 14 goal contributions that outpaced every other player in the competition.
This latest accolade brings down the curtain on an extraordinary era at Barcelona. Having arrived from Levante in 2012, Putellas spent 14 seasons with the Catalan club, making 507 appearances and scoring 232 goals for the first team.
Barcelona's official farewell announcement rightly highlighted her enormous contribution to the team's rise and her enduring legacy as one of the defining figures in the club's history. Her third Ballon d’Or win serves as a fitting tribute to the remarkable standards she maintained throughout her long tenure in Spain.
In July 2026, Putellas embarked on a new chapter by signing for London City Lionesses. Owned by Michele Kang and competing in England's Women's Super League, the ambitious independent club pulled off one of the most significant transfers of the summer.
The arrival of a reigning Ballon d’Or winner provides the Women's Super League with an iconic figure and hands London City Lionesses a massive sporting profile boost. As Putellas looks ahead to her challenges in English football, this latest global honour ensures she continues to write history at the highest level of the game.
