Putellas is back on top
Alexia Putellas has won the 2026 Ballon d'Or Feminin, the women's headline award, at the London Palladium. It is her third Ballon d'Or and her first since back-to-back triumphs in 2021 and 2022. The 2001 men's winner Michael Owen presented the prize; 2004 winner's company aside, the night belonged to Spain.
Ending Bonmati's reign
Putellas's victory ends the three-year run of her Barcelona and Spain team-mate Aitana Bonmati, who had won the previous three editions (2023, 2024 and 2025). It restores Putellas to the summit of the women's game after a period in which injuries and fierce competition had kept the crown elsewhere.
A comeback years in the making
Her return to the podium is all the more remarkable given she tore her ACL on the eve of Euro 2022, shortly before claiming her second award. Having rebuilt her game, Putellas captained Barcelona through another all-conquering campaign before a high-profile move to the Women's Super League.
New chapter in London
Fittingly for an award handed out in England for the first time, Putellas now plays her club football in the country, having joined London City Lionesses in the WSL after a storied Barcelona career. The 32-year-old, who has amassed around 150 caps for Spain, is among the most decorated footballers of her generation.
Spain's dominant night
Putellas's win was the centrepiece of a Spanish and Barcelona sweep. Cata Coll took the women's Yashin Trophy, Vicky Lopez retained the women's Kopa Trophy, Pere Romeu was named women's coach of the year and Barcelona were crowned women's club of the year after a near-perfect season.
About the Ballon d'Or Feminin
The women's Ballon d'Or has been awarded since 2018, when Ada Hegerberg became its first winner. Putellas (2021, 2022) and Aitana Bonmati (2023, 2024, 2025) had shared every edition since 2021, underlining Spain and Barcelona's grip on the women's game. The award is decided by a vote of international journalists based on performances across the season.
The bottom line
Alexia Putellas reclaiming the Ballon d'Or Feminin is both a personal triumph and a statement of enduring greatness. Three awards place her among the very best to have played the women's game, and her move to England adds a storyline the WSL will relish heading into a Women's World Cup year.
Related on Skillo
See also: Ballon d'Or 2026 live: Harry Kane wins in London, Ballon d'Or 2026: the full winners list.
Sources
- Ballon d'Or official winners (ballondor.com)
- 2026 Ballon d'Or - Wikipedia (full rankings)
- Ballon d'Or 2026 live updates: Kane, Putellas headline winners (NBC Sports)
Published date reflects the original event date (2026-10-26). This article is original Skillo editorial written from the sources above; facts were verified in September 2026.
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