LONDON.Alexia Putellas used her third Women’s Ballon d’Or triumph to deliver a message to aspiring footballers: believe in your dreams, whatever your background.
The Spain midfielder, 32, received the award at London’s Palladium on Monday, October 26, following a trophy-laden farewell season with Barcelona.
Her victories in 2021, 2022 and 2026 put her alongside compatriot Aitana Bonmatí on a record three women’s awards. Bonmatí won three consecutively between 2023 and 2025.
“Believe in yourself – if you have a dream, go for it, even at some point you have to start at zero,” Putellas said.
Her appeal extended beyond the established centres of women’s football, offering encouragement equally relevant to young players pursuing opportunities in Uganda and across Africa.
“Don’t listen if someone tells you you can’t do it, just do it, believe in yourself,” she urged.
A message shaped by adversity
For Putellas, starting again carries personal meaning, she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury before Euro 2022, interrupting her career while at the height of her powers.
Her latest award is her first Ballon d’Or triumph since that injury, rewarding a return to the performances that established her among football’s outstanding players.
She also acknowledged the obstacles Barcelona navigated together.
“We overcame some difficulties, some injuries, some moments we weren’t expecting as a team,” she said.
Those challenges preceded a campaign that delivered the Champions League, Liga F, Copa de la Reina and Spanish Super Cup.
“The fact that so many Barcelona players are nominated says a lot about the season we had,” Putellas said.
The numbers behind the honour
Her influence was particularly clear in Europe, where she scored seven goals and supplied seven assists across 11 Champions League appearances.
That amounted to 14 direct goal involvements, averaging more than one per appearance, while her passing accuracy reached 86.73 per cent.
Barcelona completed their European campaign with a commanding 4–0 victory over OL Lyonnes in the final, securing the club’s fourth continental title.
UEFA named Putellas the competition’s Player of the Season. She subsequently finished ahead of Ewa Pajor and Khadija Shaw in the Ballon d’Or voting.
Her international contribution also strengthened her credentials: she was Player of the Finals during Spain’s 2025 Women’s Nations League triumph.
Putellas has since joined London City Lionesses, closing a Barcelona chapter spanning 14 seasons and 38 trophies.