Alexia Putellas won the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or at the London Palladium on Monday, 26 October, claiming the award for the third time after her previous victories in 2021 and 2022.
The Spain midfielder, now playing for London City Lionesses, was confirmed as the winner during the ceremony by the award organisers. Her return to the top of the voting follows three consecutive wins for Aitana Bonmatí from 2023 to 2025.
Putellas received the honour in the city where she now plays, following her move from Barcelona. London City announced the 32-year-old’s signing on 8 July.
European success with Barcelona
The award follows a season in which Putellas helped Barcelona win the Women’s Champions League. UEFA named her its player of the season after the Spanish club beat OL Lyonnes 4–0 in the final in Oslo.
UEFA’s competition figures show seven goals and seven assists in 11 appearances for Putellas during that campaign. Her 14 combined goal contributions were the highest total recorded by a player in the competition.
It was her second Champions League player-of-the-season award, following her recognition for the 2021/22 campaign.
More recognition for Barcelona
Barcelona also won the women’s club award at Monday’s ceremony. Pere Romeu took the women’s coaching honour, Cata Coll won the women’s goalkeeping award and Vicky López was named women’s young talent of the year.
Those results came after Lamine Yamal’s third successive men’s young-player award. The goalkeeper and coaching results are covered in EBNewsDaily’s earlier awards report.
The 2026 ceremony was staged in London for the first time as the Ballon d’Or marked its 70th anniversary, honouring inaugural winner Stanley Matthews.
