Spain's Alexia Putellas Named Women's Ballon d'Or 2026 Winner

New Delhi, October 27: Spain's Alexia Putellas has been crowned the 2026 women's Ballon d'Or winner. The midfielder has won the award for the third time in her career.

The victory is another milestone for Spanish football. It is the sixth consecutive year that a Spanish female player has taken the Ballon d'Or.

Putellas had earlier won the honour in 2021 and 2022. She now matches the record of her Spanish colleague Aitana Bonmatí, who won the award in three consecutive years from 2023 to 2025.

Putellas received the highest number of votes from a panel of journalists representing FIFA top-50 countries. Barcelona striker Ewa Pajor was runner-up, while Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw took third place.

The award is a powerful sign of Putellas's resilience. She came back from a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered in 2022 to reach this level again.

After the win, she spoke directly to boys and girls across the world. She encouraged them to play football if they enjoy it, regardless of gender or where they come from. She also told them not to listen to anyone who says they cannot do it and to have faith in themselves.

Last season, Putellas proved she is still one of the best players on the planet. She netted 21 goals and created 13 assists in all competitions. Seven of her goals came in the Women's Champions League, which Barcelona won for the fourth time in six seasons.

The 32-year-old had helped Barcelona lift the Champions League four times before joining London City Lionesses of the Women's Super League in July.