London City's Putellas wins record-equalling third Ballon d'Or

Spanish football star Alexia Putellas has claimed the prestigious Ballon d'Or Feminin award for a record-equalling third time, solidifying Spain's dominance in women's football. The 32-year-old midfielder, nicknamed "La Reina," captained Barcelona to a quadruple success in 2025-26, including a Champions League title, before transferring to London City Lionesses in July.

Putellas joins Aitana Bonmati as the sole Spanish recipients of the award, highlighting their unparalleled success in recent years. The past six Ballon d'Or Feminin winners have all been Spanish players, with only two non-Spaniards (Ada Hegerberg and Megan Rapinoe) claiming the accolade in the past seven years. Putellas' recent victory marks a triumphant return to the pinnacle of world football after recovering from a career-threatening ACL injury in 2022.

She scored 21 goals and provided 13 assists across competitions, ranking third and second in goal scoring and assists respectively in the top five European leagues. Putellas' impact on Barcelona's attacking play extended beyond her goal-scoring, as she provided crucial assists and created numerous chances, ranking among the top players in all competitions.

Her move to London City Lionesses, backed by US billionaire Michelle Kang, sees her continue her journey as a world-class player.