Ballon d'Or 2026: Alexia Putellas wins women's award for third time

Alexia Putellas wins her third Ballon d'Or; Spanish midfielder succeeds injured Aitana Bonmatí and has joined London City Lionesses.

Alexia Putellas has won the 2026 Women's Ballon d'Or, her third award after victories in 2021 and 2022. The Barcelona midfielder claimed the prize following a season in which she won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the UEFA Women's Champions League with the Spanish club.

Putellas succeeds Aitana Bonmatí, who won the award three consecutive times but was unable to defend her title after suffering an injury in November 2025. With Putellas's win, Spanish dominance of women's football continues at the individual honours level.

Following her success in Spain, Putellas has begun a new chapter of her career by joining English club London City Lionesses. Among French players, Lyon's Wendie Renard finished 14th in the voting, while Melvine Malard tied for 28th place alongside Vivianne Miedema and Brazil's Lorena.