Alexia Putellas won the 2026 Ballon d’Or Féminin on 26 October 2026, her third career win after 2021 and 2022. The Alexia Putellas Ballon d’Or story is bigger than one trophy: it ended Aitana Bonmatí’s three-year run and landed just as Putellas left Barcelona for London City.
Key takeaways
- Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or at a ceremony at the London Palladium on 26 October 2026.
- It is her third award, matching the record Bonmatí set by winning in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
- She is the first woman to win the prize while playing for a Women’s Super League club, according to TSN.
- Harry Kane won the men’s award, and Barcelona took several of the women’s categories.
What did Alexia Putellas actually win?
The Ballon d’Or Féminin is the best-known individual prize in women’s football. It is voted by journalists from the top-ranked national teams and run by France Football.
Putellas, a Spain midfielder, first won in 2021 and again in 2022. Bonmatí then took it in 2023, 2024 and 2025. The 2026 result returns the trophy to Putellas and ties her with Bonmatí on three wins each.
Why does the London City link matter?
Putellas spent 14 seasons at Barcelona and made 350 league appearances for them, per TSN. She has since joined London City Lionesses, a club promoted to the Women’s Super League from the Championship, on a free transfer.
That timing is what makes the win unusual. Goal describes her as a former Barcelona captain, and the ceremony itself was in London. Here is my opinion: it is a neat signal for the WSL that its newest star arrived with the sport’s top individual prize already in hand.
Who else won at the 2026 Ballon d’Or?
Barcelona dominated the women’s side beyond Putellas. Here is the Goal summary of the women’s awards, plus the men’s headline result from TSN.
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Ballon d’Or Féminin | Alexia Putellas |
| Women’s best young player | Vicky López (Barcelona) |
| Women’s best coach | Pere Romeu (Barcelona) |
| Women’s best goalkeeper | Cata Coll |
| Women’s best club | Barcelona |
| Women’s top striker trophy | Charlyn Corral (Pachuca) |
| Men’s Ballon d’Or | Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) |
Corral is the first Mexican player to win the striker award, according to Goal. Kane is the first Englishman to win the men’s prize since Michael Owen in 2001, per TSN. Live blogs from NBC Sports and ESPN carry the full running results.
Is a third Ballon d’Or a record?
Not a new one. It equals the record. Bonmatí already had three, so Putellas now shares the top spot rather than owning it alone.
Think of it like a relay baton passing between two Spain teammates. Each has now been the best player in the world on three separate occasions, and the next win by either would be a clean record.
What happens next
The next test is how Putellas performs in a London City shirt in the Women’s Super League. A promoted club with a Ballon d’Or winner will draw attention, and expectations will rise quickly.
The other question is whether Bonmatí answers back. Voting for the next edition will reflect the coming season, so the contest for a fourth win by either player is open.
FAQ
How many Ballon d’Or awards has Alexia Putellas won?
Three: 2021, 2022 and 2026.
Who has won the women’s Ballon d’Or most times?
Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí are tied on three wins each.
Which club does Putellas play for now?
London City Lionesses, after 14 seasons at Barcelona, according to TSN and Goal.
Want to follow the story? Check the official France Football and UEFA pages for the full 2026 results and the next shortlist.
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