Spain international Alexia Putellas has reclaimed the Women’s Ballon d’Or, ending a four-year wait for another individual triumph and bringing Aitana Bonmatí’s three-year dominance of the award to an end.
Putellas was named the 2026 winner at Monday’s Ballon d’Or ceremony at the London Palladium, returning to the top of women’s football after previously claiming the honour in 2021 and 2022.
The latest victory makes the midfielder a three-time winner of the prestigious award, underlining her sustained influence in the women’s game.
Her triumph also ends Bonmatí’s run of consecutive victories from 2023 to 2025, with Putellas becoming the second player to win the Women’s Ballon d’Or three times since its introduction in 2018.
Putellas’ return to the summit is particularly significant given the challenges she has overcome during her career, including a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in 2022.
Before the injury, she had established herself as one of Barcelona’s most influential players, captaining the club and playing a central role in its domestic and European successes.
Her recovery and return to elite competition further cemented her reputation as one of the leading midfielders of her generation.
The award adds another chapter to Putellas’ career and reinforces Spain’s strong presence in women’s football, particularly through the success of Barcelona players in the individual honours.
The Women’s Ballon d’Or was first presented in 2018, with Norway’s Ada Hegerberg becoming its inaugural recipient.
Putellas’ latest achievement places her among the award’s most decorated players and marks her return to individual recognition at the highest level of the sport.
