Alexia Putellas has been named the Women’s Player of the Year at the 2026 Ballon d’Or awards.
The Spain international has scooped the award for the third time after captaining Barcelona to a continental quadruple in 2025-26, winning the Liga F, Cope de la Reina, Spanish Super Cup and Champions League.
She became Barcelona’s joint-second top scorer of all time after scoring two goals in the Champions League semi-final in May, and earned the player of the tournament award in the process.
She equals her former team-mate Bonmati’s record of three awards, having also been a key part of Spain’s Nations League-winning side.
Putellas said: “Thank you very much. It is a pleasure to be here, again.
“Thank you to the ones who thought I deserved this award. I don’t know what to say, too many things! Congrats to all the nominees, congrats to all the winners.
“I want to start by saying thank you team-mates.
“I think anyone here could have fairly won this trophy and be giving this speech here right now.
“A great pleasure to play alongside each and every single one of you.
“Incredible experiences as a team, we overcome some difficulties, some injuries, some moments we weren’t expecting as a team and a great pride for me as captain.”
Putellas is the fifth representative of Barcelona to win an award during Monday’s ceremony in London, with Vicky Lopez and Lamine Yamal winning the Young Player of the Year awards in the men’s and women’s cateogires.
Barca Femini coach Pere Romeu won the Women’s Coach of the Year, with goalkeeper Cata Coll claiming Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year and Barcelona winning Women’s Club of the Year.
Ballon d’Or Women’s Player of the Year leaderboard (1-28)
1) Alexia Putellas
2) Ewa Pajor
3) Khadija Shaw
4) Melchie Dumornay
5) Patri Guijarro
6) Caroline Graham Hansen
7) Pernille Harder
8) Claudia Pina
9) Alessia Russo
10) Temwa Chawinga
11) Yui Hasegawa – Man City and Japan
12) Klara Buhl – Bayern Munich and Germany
13) Mariona Caldentey – Arsenal and Spain
14) Wendie Renard – Lyon and France
15) Cata Coll – Barcelona and Spain
16) Mapi Leon – Barcelona/London City Lionesses and Spain
17) Esmee Brugts – Barcelona and Netherlands
18) Barbra Banda – Orlando Fire and Zambia
19) Tessa Wullaert – Inter/Como and Belgium
20) Selma Bacha – Lyon and France
21) Scarlett Camberos – Club America and Mexico
22) Manaka Matsukubo – North Carolina Courage/Chelsea and Japan
23) Momoko Tanikawa – Bayern Munich and Japan
24) Kerstin Casparij – Man City and Netherlands
25) Caroline Weir – Real Madrid/Lyon and Scotland
26) Alex Greenwood – Man City and England
27) Rose Lavelle – Gotham FC and USA
28= Lorena – Kansas City Current and Brazil
28= Melvine Malard – Man Utd/Chelsea and France
28= Vivianne Miedema – Man City and Netherlands
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