Alexia Putellas has been named the best female player of the year 2026 Ballon d’Or awards
The Spain international has won the award for the third time after captaining Barcelona to a continental quadruple in 2025-26, winning the F League, the Copa de la Reina, the Spanish Super Cup and the Champions League.
She became Barcelona’s second all-time leading goalscorer after scoring twice in the Champions League semi-final in May, winning the player of the tournament award in the process.
He equals his former team-mate Bonmati’s record of three awards, having also been a key part of Spain’s League of Nations-winning side.
Putellas said: “Thank you very much. It’s a pleasure to be here again.
“Thank you to those who believed I deserved this award. I don’t know what to say, too much! Congratulations to all the nominees, congratulations to all the winners.
“I want to start by thanking my colleagues.
“I think anyone here could have won this trophy and be giving this speech here right now.
“A great pleasure to play alongside each and every one of you.
“Incredible experiences as a team, we have overcome some difficulties, some injuries, some moments we did not expect as a team and a great pride for me as captain”.
Putellas is the fifth Barcelona representative to win an award at 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 categories.
The coach of Barça Femini, Pere Romeu, won the women’s coach of the year, the goalkeeper Cata Coll was proclaimed the female goalkeeper of the year and Barcelona the women’s club of the year.
Ballon d’Or player of the year ranking (1-28)
1) Alexia Putellas
2) Ewa Pajor
3) Khadija Shaw
4) Melchie Dumornay
5) Patri Guijarro
6) Caroline Graham Hansen
7) Ham 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 the 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) Horns – North Carolina Courage/Chelsea and Japan
23) Momoko Tanikawa – Bayern Munich and Japan
24) Kerstin Casparij – Man City and the 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 the Netherlands
