Alexia Putellas wins third Ballon d'Or to match Bonmatí record

London City Lionesses captain Alexia Putellas was named winner of the women's Ballon d'Or at the London ceremony on Monday 26 October 2026. The Spain midfielder had already taken the award in 2021 and 2022. According to BBC Sport, this third success draws her level with her international team-mate Aitana Bonmatí, who won it three years running in 2023, 2024 and 2025.

BBC reported that the voting was carried out by journalists from the 50 highest-ranked nations in FIFA's rankings, and Putellas topped the poll. Ewa Pajor of Barcelona was runner-up, with Manchester City's Khadija Shaw in third. That makes six straight years in which the prize has gone to a Spanish player.

Why did Alexia Putellas win a third Ballon d'Or?

Alexia Putellas captained Barcelona to a quadruple in 2025-26, with the Women's Champions League among the four trophies. According to BBC Sport figures, her all-competition record was 21 goals and 13 assists. That put her third in the scoring charts and second in the assist charts among players in Europe's big five leagues. Her Champions League tally alone was seven goals.

Her comeback makes the award more significant. Putellas suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2022 and returned after a long recovery to be named the world's best player again. Mundo Deportivo reported that Bonmatí was out of contention this year because of a serious injury. kicker made a similar point, saying Putellas indirectly benefited from an injury in winning her third award.

Who holds the women's Ballon d'Or record?

Two Spanish players now share the women's Ballon d'Or record. Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí have three wins each, and between them they have collected the last six awards: Putellas in 2021 and 2022, Bonmatí in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and Putellas again in 2026. According to the BBC, the only winners from outside Spain are Ada Hegerberg of Norway (2018) and American forward Megan Rapinoe (2019). L'Équipe noted that Putellas takes over from Bonmatí, her former club team-mate, after Bonmatí's three straight wins.

1. 2018 — Ada Hegerberg (Norway)
2. 2019 — Megan Rapinoe (USA)
3. 2021 — Alexia Putellas (Spain)
4. 2022 — Alexia Putellas (Spain)
5. 2023 — Aitana Bonmatí (Spain)
6. 2024 — Aitana Bonmatí (Spain)
7. 2025 — Aitana Bonmatí (Spain)
8. 2026 — Alexia Putellas (Spain)

What did Putellas say on stage?

Mundo Deportivo reported that Putellas gave a long speech after receiving the award. She thanked her former Barcelona team-mates, the club's board and her Spain team-mates. She also had a message for children who want to play football, which translates as: "If you have a dream, go for it."

At the same ceremony, Lamine Yamal and Vicky López were named the best young players of the year. Pere Romeu, head coach of Barcelona's women's team, won the coach of the year award.

What comes next for Putellas?

Alexia Putellas spent 14 years at Barcelona, a spell that ended on 30 June 2026. In July 2026 she signed for London City Lionesses of the Women's Super League, where she is captain. Sky Sports argued that her win is also good news for the WSL. The open question now is who will be first to a fourth Ballon d'Or: Putellas, or Bonmatí once she returns from injury?