Putellas Praises Rivals After Beating Pajor and Shaw to the Ballon d'Or

Alexia Putellas said all of her fellow nominees deserved the award after winning the Ballon d'Or Féminin for a record third time.

Putellas, named the world's best player once again on Monday, finished ahead of her former Barcelona teammate Ewa Pajor and Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw in the vote.

Putellas, who also won the award in 2021 and 2022, now shares the title of most successful player in the award's history with another former teammate, Aitana Bonmatí.

Putellas scored 26 goals and provided 14 assists for club and country in the 2025-26 season, and won her fourth Champions League title with Barcelona before joining London City Lionesses.

In her acceptance speech, Putellas noted that many players could have won the award, saying:

"Thank you to everyone who considered me worthy of this award. I don't know what to say, there is so much to say! Congratulations to all the nominees and all the winners. I think everyone here could have deservedly won this trophy and could be giving this speech right now.

To all the girls and boys around the world: if you love football and want to play football, play. It doesn't matter whether you are a girl or a boy. It doesn't matter where you come from. If someone tells you that you can't do it, don't listen. Believe in yourself."

Putellas, who was directly involved in more goals than any other player in last season's Champions League (eight goals, six assists), also scored twice in the crucial semi-final in which Bayern Munich were knocked out.

Reflecting on her final European triumph with Barcelona, the star player said: "We had incredible experiences as a team. We overcame some difficulties, injuries and moments we didn't expect; as captain, it was a great source of pride for me."

Putellas has also helped her new club London City Lionesses make a positive start in the Women's Super League (WSL). The team sit third with 16 points, three points behind Chelsea and Manchester City.

Putellas has three goals and one assist in the WSL, and has created nine chances for her teammates while generating 1.76 expected assists (xA).