Queen-like Alexia Putellas wins third Ballon d’Or

On Monday evening, the 32‑year‑old Spanish player Alexia Putellas was awarded the Ballon d’Or for the third time – a triumph that marks her return to the top of world football. In her acceptance speech she switched from Spanish to English to reach as many people as possible.

Early years and dream of the Camp Nou

Putellas was born in 1994 in Mollet del Vallés, a small town near Barcelona. As a child she thought the Camp Nou was only for men, and later wrote: "I used to think the Camp Nou was only for men". Her parents gave her a false birth date so that she could be taken into the Centre d’Esports Sabadell at seven years old, which only allowed female players from eight years old.

Rise at Levante and return to Barcelona

In 2005 she joined the Barça youth system, but the girls' team was dissolved a year later and she moved to city rivals Espanyol, where she made her debut in the Spanish league at 16. In 2011 she transferred to Levante; her then‑coach Antonio Contreras told the Guardian: "Everyone was talking about it. She was one of those players who could make the difference." In the 2011/12 season she scored 15 goals, which convinced FC Barcelona to bring her back in the summer of 2012.

Triumphs, injuries and third Ballon d’Or

With Barcelona she won the Champions League for the first time in 2021, playing the final despite a thigh injury and scoring from the penalty spot to make it 2‑0 and then 3‑0; the match ended 4‑0 against Chelsea. For the season she was named Midfielder of the Year, netting 26 goals in 35 official matches and providing 15 assists. In 2022 Barcelona lost the final to Lyon, but Putellas became the top scorer with 11 goals; overall she recorded 34 goals and 21 assists in 43 games.

Alexia Putellas' third Ballon d'Or Feminin fuels Barcelona‑Spain reign

In October 2022 she received her first Ballon d’Or, which she dedicated to her late father, and wore a tattoo featuring a childhood photo showing her with a Barça ball on her father's lap. She said: "He is the person I would do everything for." Months later, after returning from an ACL injury in 2022, she reaffirmed her dominance by receiving the third Ballon d’Or on Monday evening.

In her speech she emphasized: "If you want to play football, play football. No matter whether you are a girl or a boy, no matter where you come from. Believe in yourself, that is the most important thing." These words reflect her story, in which she rose from a girl in a small town to the queen of women's football.

Alexia Putella secures third Ballon d'Or – Spanish triumph

Today Alexia Putellas is regarded as the face of women's football, as "La Reina" and as a global star who has played over 500 official matches for Barcelona and scored 232 goals. Her third award cements her status as one of the greatest players of all time.