Why Alexia Putellas is the favorite for the 2026 Ballon d’Or Feminin

Bromley, England - The 2026 Ballon d’Or Feminin is set to take place at the end of October, and the frontrunner to claim the prestigious award on the women’s side is Alexia Putellas of London City Lionesses. Should Putellas secure her third career Ballon d’Or, it will be a testament to her remarkable contributions prior to her move to England this summer.

During her 14-year tenure at Barcelona Femení, she was the driving force of a historic season for the club and played an instrumental role in Spain’s triumph in the 2025-26 season. Putellas’ absence after a string of injuries ended a golden period for the Catalan side. Barcelona missed their best player, reigning three-time Ballon d’Or winner Aitana Bonmatí, for nearly the entire season.

However, Putellas stepped up to lead Barcelona as they pursued their fourth consecutive domestic treble, securing victories in the Champions League, Liga F, Copa de la Reina, and Spanish Super Cup. She finished the season with an impressive tally of 20 goals and 13 assists in all competitions while remaining injury-free. Putellas showcased her brilliance in crucial matches, including a standout performance in El Clásico against Real Madrid and a stellar display in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich, netting two goals.

Her leadership was pivotal in Spain’s 2025 Nations League victory, where she was named MVP and led La Roja to a dominant win over Germany in Madrid last December. As Putellas transitions into a new chapter of her career with a move to England, her stellar performances throughout the 2025-26 season serve as a poignant reminder of her extraordinary talent.

With a significant ACL injury in 2022 and the emergence of teammate Aitana Bonmatí as the presumed world’s best player, there were doubts about Putellas’ ability to reclaim her previous form. However, she persevered, staying healthy for an entire season and delivering a remarkable performance as the captain and leader of a historic Barcelona team.

It’s challenging to envision anyone challenging her for the Ballon d’Or, and if her name is announced as the winner on October 26, it will undoubtedly be a well-deserved accolade.