Alexia Putellas Reigns Again: A Ballon d'Or Victory with Unmet Potential
After a four-year hiatus, Alexia Putellas has once again claimed the title of the world’s best female footballer, winning the Ballon d'Or for the third time. At 32, she continues to solidify her legacy, showcasing Spain's dominance in this prestigious award.
This year marks the sixth straight time that either Putellas or her teammate Aitana Bonmatí has taken home the honor. Putellas’ remarkable comeback from a serious knee injury in 2022 underscores her determination and talent, proving she's back at the pinnacle of women's football.
With an impressive tally of 14 goal contributions—eight goals and six assists—in just 11 appearances in last season’s Women’s Champions League, she played a pivotal role in helping Barcelona secure the European title. Her exceptional performance also contributed to Spain’s triumph in the Women’s Nations League finals last December. Now with London City Lionesses, she took a moment to acknowledge her roots during her acceptance speech, stating, “This prize is for Barcelona.”
Barcelona had a stellar night overall, sweeping the major awards. Cata Coll won the goalkeeper prize, Pere Romeu was named best coach, and Vicky López was recognized as the young player of the year. Ewa Pajor finished as the runner-up for the main award, while Clara Serrajordi was second in the young player category. However, the evening took a strange turn when club president Joan Laporta seemed more focused on the men's team’s Champions League ambitions, despite being there to celebrate the women's achievements.
Fortunately, the ceremony at The London Palladium was free from the controversies that marred its early years, following the introduction of the women’s Ballon d'Or in 2018. While progress has been made—like having awards in the same categories for women and men—there are still glaring disparities. For instance, while ten players were nominated for the men's young talent award, only five were recognized on the women's side. The goalkeeper nominations faced the same imbalance.
The awards night also highlighted a disappointing absence of women in presenting roles, with Lucy Bronze being the only notable female figure on stage. Putellas received her award from Michael Owen, which served as a reminder of how few past winners there are to choose from due to the prize being introduced later for women.
Fans were left wishing that the voting period—from August 3, 2025, to July 19, 2026—could have included performances from this summer’s WAFCON, as it didn't recognize those contributions. This oversight meant that outstanding talents like Cameroon’s WAFCON-winning coach Valentine Nguele were overlooked, leading to a noticeable lack of African representation, aside from Temwa Chawinga’s historic top-10 finish.
While Putellas is undoubtedly a deserving winner, the limited recognition for players from less prominent football nations is disheartening. With next year’s Women’s World Cup looming, many believe that the focus will shift primarily to Brazil, potentially sidelining deserving talents like Poland’s Pajor and Jamaica’s Khadija Shaw.
If Putellas maintains her current form, few would bet against her reclaiming the crown next year as Spain aims to defend their world title. Her journey is an inspiration to many, showcasing her skill, leadership, and creativity on the pitch. Being a three-time Ballon d'Or winner is a fitting accolade for her remarkable career.
