Alexia: "If you have a dream, go for it"

Putellas won her third Ballon d'Or after a treble-winning season with Barcelona before joining London City Lionesses.

Alexia Putellas claimed her third Ballon d'Or award at a ceremony in London, where she now plays for London City Lionesses after leaving Barcelona. The Spanish midfielder won the prize following a season in which she helped Barcelona win four titles, and she used her acceptance speech to thank her former club, coaching staff, and teammates.

Putellas paid special tribute to former Barcelona manager Pere Romeu, who also won coach of the year, and to the club's board for their support during her recovery from knee surgery. She reflected on her 14 years at Barcelona and her journey back to fitness, saying: "When my leg was failing me, when I had pain after my knee operation, when I learned to walk, shoot, run again... the more doubts I had, you were there."

Closing her speech, Putellas offered advice to young players: "If you have a dream, go for it, even if you have to start from zero. The most important thing is to do it with love and passion." She also expressed confidence that Spain will "go for everything" at the next Women's World Cup.