The Women’s Ballon d’Or has never been won by a player from the Women’s Super League. Until now.
Alexia Putellas, the Barcelona midfielder who spent 14 years at the heart of the club’s golden era, has become the first WSL player to claim the award, securing a record-equalling third victory in the process. The 32-year-old, now a London City Lionesses star, was recognised for a season that ended with Barcelona’s second quadruple in three years—including a Champions League triumph and seven goals in the competition alone. Her arrival in England this summer has already transformed the league’s global profile, but the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London cemented her status as a pioneer.
Putellas’ dominance in the voting was undeniable, though not without controversy. While Spain’s Aitana Bonmati had held the award for three consecutive years, Putellas’ final campaign at Barcelona—marked by tactical brilliance and leadership—proved too compelling to ignore. The midfielder’s resilience after an ACL injury in 2022 was a recurring theme in the debate, with her ability to elevate Barcelona’s play in both domestic and European competitions earning her the nod. Ewa Pajor (Barcelona) and Khadija Shaw (Manchester City) completed the podium, but Putellas’ achievement transcends individual statistics. She is the first WSL player to win the award, a milestone that reflects the league’s growing ambition and the global reach of its stars.
The irony of the ceremony taking place in London—where Putellas now plays—was not lost on observers. After captaining Barcelona to historic success, her move to London City this summer signaled a new chapter, one that now includes this unprecedented accolade. The WSL has never produced a Ballon d’Or winner, but Putellas’ victory changes that narrative. It also underscores the league’s ability to attract and retain world-class talent, a trend that will only accelerate with stars like Shaw and Pajor already established in England. For Putellas, the award is a testament to her longevity and adaptability, proving that even after a career-defining injury, she remains at the pinnacle of the game.
What remains to be seen is whether this victory will spark a shift in the women’s Ballon d’Or landscape. Spain’s dominance—now matched by Putellas—has been unbroken for five years, but the award’s growing international appeal means other nations are poised to challenge the trend. Patri Guijarro, who finished fourth in the voting, and players like Alessia Russo and Melchie Dumornay could soon disrupt the status quo. For now, though, Putellas’ third win solidifies her legacy as one of the greatest midfielders in women’s football history—and the first to bridge the gap between Barcelona’s legacy and the future of the WSL.
