Putellas claims third Women's Ballon d'Or after leading Barcelona to historic quadruple

Alexia Putellas claimed the Women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time on Monday evening in London, ending a three-year run of wins by her Spanish compatriot and former Barcelona teammate Aitana Bonmati. The 32-year-old, who now plays for London City Lionesses in the Women’s Super League, was honoured for a landmark 2024-25 season in which she captained Barcelona to a historic quadruple.

Barcelona’s haul included a third UEFA Champions League title in four years and a seventh consecutive Liga F championship. Putellas, who previously won the award in 2021 and 2022 before injuries disrupted her career, produced 21 goals and 13 assists across all club competitions last season, adding six international goals as defending champions Spain secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup in Brazil.

Spain dominated the women’s shortlist, placing six players among the 30 nominees — more than any other nation. England were represented by Arsenal striker Alessia Russo and Manchester City defender Alex Greenwood, the only two English players to make the cut.

Putellas’s move to the WSL this summer means she arrives at London City Lionesses as a three-time Ballon d’Or winner, a distinction no other women’s player has held.