Alexia Putellas: From a painful setback to the Queen of world football again
Babing On Monday, 26 October 2026, the Barcelona legend reclaimed football's most prestigious individual honour in the women's game, securing the award for a third time after previous victories in 2021 and 2022 At 32, Putellas has returned to the summit of world football after a serious knee injury threatened to derail her career and she offered a powerful lesson in resilience by proving that sometimes, the road back is just as remarkable as the journey to the top. Born on 4 February 1994 in Mollet del Vallès, near Barcelona, Putellas grew up loving football and supporting FC Barcelona.
Her journey was not simply about possessing talent but developing that talent into a career capable of changing the history of the women's game. A girl with a dream and a club that would become home In 2012, at just 18, she joined Barcelona's first team from Levante.
What followed was an extraordinary 14-year spell in which she developed into the club's captain and became one of the most influential players in its history. Putellas is a midfielder who can dictate the tempo of a game, create chances, find the back of the net and inspire those around her.
Her technical ability, vision and confidence on the ball helped Barcelona establish themselves among Europe's dominant women's teams. Two Ballon d'Or crowns, then a devastating setback In 2021, Putellas reached a historic milestone when she became the first Barcelona women's player to win the Ballon d'Or.
She had helped her club win the UEFA Women's Champions League and domestic honours, while her performances earned her recognition as one of the finest players in the world. Then came 2022, and she did it again.
Her second consecutive Ballon d'Or made her the first woman to retain the award. She also won the UEFA Women's Player of the Year honour in consecutive years, cementing her status at the summit of the sport.
It appeared that her rise would continue uninterrupted. But football, like life, does not always follow the script.
In July 2022, shortly before the European Championship, Putellas suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in her left knee. The injury ruled her out of the tournament and kept her away from competitive action until April 2023.
Putellas had reached the top of the world, only to be forced away from the pitch at a time when she should have been enjoying her prime. Her second Ballon d'Or could not protect her from that reality.