London Palladium Crowning for Alexia Putellas
Alexia Putellas claimed her third Ballon d’Or féminin on Monday, October 26, 2026, at the London Palladium, receiving the trophy from 2001 winner Michael Owen, ouest-france.fr reported. The 32-year-old midfielder, who transferred to the London City Lionesses from FC Barcelona over the summer, added the 2026 honor to her previous victories in 2021 and 2022.
The Barcelona Quadruple Behind the Third Trophy
Putellas earned the distinction following an exceptional campaign with FC Barcelona that featured a quadruple of major trophies, according to ouest-france.fr. USA TODAY reported that FC Barcelona captured the Spanish league, the Copa de la Reina, the Supercopa de España Femenina, and the UEFA Women’s Champions League during the 2025–26 season, securing Women’s Club of the Year honors at the ceremony.
Closing the Era of Aitana Bonmati
The coronation of Putellas brings a definitive close to the three-year reign of her compatriot Aitana Bonmati, who won the award in 2023, 2024, and 2025, ouest-france.fr noted. Bonmati was absent from the 30-player shortlist entirely after missing several months of competition due to a fibula injury.
Full Women’s Shortlist and Companion Awards in London
USA TODAY documented several additional honors handed out during the delayed London ceremony, which opened following a 45-minute delay and a performance by Jorja Smith. Barcelona and Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll collected the Yashin Trophy for the best women’s goalkeeper, while 32-year-old Barcelona coach Pere Romeu won Women’s Coach of the Year. In the youth categories, 20-year-old Barcelona striker Vicky López secured the Women’s Kopa Trophy for the second year.
The final voting order for the 2026 Ballon d’Or féminin placed Ewa Pajor of Poland and Barcelona second, followed by Jamaica and Manchester City forward Khadija Shaw in third, and Lyon’s Melchie Dumornay fourth.
Additional Ceremony Accolades and Tributes
USA TODAY also reported that the ceremony included tributes honoring former England striker Kevin Keegan, who died at age 75 in July, along with South Africa player Jayden Adams, who died weeks after playing in the World Cup, and former Italy defender Franco Baresi, who passed away in July at age 66. Bukayo Saka received the Socrates Award for his humanitarian work alongside the children’s medical charity BigShoe, reading a letter from a 14-year-old from Rwanda. Mexican star Charlyn Corral and England’s Harry Kane won the Striker of the Year awards, while Kane also secured his first men’s Ballon d’Or.
More on Alexia Putellas
Keep reading
