Alexia Putellas returned to the summit of women’s football by winning her third Ballon d’Or, capping a memorable evening for Barcelona at the 2026 awards ceremony in London.
The 70th edition of the prestigious event took place at the London Palladium on Monday evening, celebrating the outstanding performances of players, coaches and clubs during the 2025/26 campaign.
Barcelona enjoyed a particularly successful night, with Putellas, Vicky López, Cata Coll and head coach Pere Romeu all collecting individual honours. The Catalan club also won Women’s Club of the Year, while Mexican international Charlyn Corral received recognition for her prolific goalscoring.
Beyond the silverware, the ceremony celebrated the individual quality and collective efforts that defined the season, with several winners paying tribute to the teammates, families and coaches who helped them achieve their success.
Alexia Putellas Claims a Third Ballon d’Or
Spain international Putellas was named the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or winner, adding to the awards she secured in 2021 and 2022.
The 32-year-old enjoyed an outstanding final season with Barcelona before completing a summer move to Women’s Super League side London City Lionesses. Her influence remained central to the Spanish club’s success, with the midfielder combining goals and assists with the creativity and leadership expected of her as captain.
The Numbers Behind Putellas’ Award
Putellas recorded impressive figures across Barcelona’s four major competitions during the 2025/26 campaign:
- 21 goals
- 13 assists
- 89 chances created
- 13.1 expected assists
- 965 passes completed in the final third
Her impact was equally evident in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, where she scored eight goals, provided six assists and created 36 chances against some of Europe’s strongest opposition.
Those contributions helped Barcelona complete a remarkable quadruple, winning the Champions League, Liga F, Copa de la Reina and Spanish Super Cup.
The combination of individual brilliance, consistent performances and leadership made Putellas a compelling choice for her third Ballon d’Or, further strengthening her reputation as one of the defining players of her generation.
An Emotional Moment For The Former Barcelona Captain
Putellas appeared emotional as she accepted the award, reflecting on the journey that had taken her back to the top of the women’s game.
She thanked the people who had supported her throughout her career and paid tribute to her former Barcelona teammates, highlighting the collective achievements behind her individual recognition.
The midfielder also used her speech to encourage young people around the world to pursue their ambitions, regardless of the obstacles they encounter.
For Putellas, the trophy represented more than another personal milestone. It offered an opportunity to celebrate a successful campaign alongside the people who had contributed to it, while underlining her resilience and ability to maintain elite standards over several seasons.
Vicky López Continues Her Rapid Rise
Barcelona’s success extended to the next generation, with López named Women’s Young Talent of the Year for the second consecutive season.
The 20-year-old became the first player to win the award since its introduction, highlighting her growing influence within a squad packed with established international stars.
Despite competing for minutes in one of the strongest teams in women’s football, the midfielder continued to make her mark under Romeu, contributing regularly in attacking areas throughout the campaign.
A Breakthrough Season Backed By Impressive Statistics
López’s 2025/26 record demonstrated the extent of her contribution:
- 45 appearances
- 31 starts
- 12 goals
- 13 assists
Her 25 direct goal contributions represented an impressive return for a player still in the early stages of her professional career.
Creativity, intelligent movement and an ability to influence attacking situations helped López establish herself as an increasingly important option for Barcelona. Her performances also demonstrated the confidence required to compete alongside some of the world’s most accomplished players.
Having played her part in the club’s quadruple-winning campaign, the Spain international earned further recognition as one of the leading young talents in the women’s game.
Family Support At The Heart Of Her Success
López expressed pride and gratitude when collecting her award, acknowledging the teammates who had helped her reach this stage of her career.
She also paid an emotional tribute to her mother, recognising the important role her family had played in supporting her development.
Rather than focusing exclusively on her personal achievement, López highlighted the importance of continuing to develop women’s football and creating opportunities for future generations.
Her response reflected the maturity she has increasingly displayed on the pitch, as she continues to establish herself as an important part of Barcelona’s long-term plans.
Cata Coll Recognised For Her Goalkeeping Excellence
Barcelona goalkeeper Coll was named Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year after playing a crucial role in the club’s successful campaign.
The Spain international prevailed over Chelsea’s Hannah Hampton, Gotham FC’s Ann-Katrin Berger and Manchester City’s Ayaka Yamashita to secure the individual honour.
Coll’s contribution extended beyond individual saves, with her performances helping Barcelona maintain their defensive organisation throughout a season in which they collected four major trophies.
A Landmark Achievement Between The Posts
The 25-year-old recorded 32 appearances and conceded 16 goals, averaging 0.50 goals against per game.
Her performances helped Barcelona sustain their domestic and European dominance, while her consistency strengthened her case for the award.
Coll also became the first Barcelona goalkeeper to receive the honour, marking a significant personal milestone and adding another accolade to the club’s successful evening.
Coll Shares The Credit
During her acceptance speech, Coll acknowledged the contributions of her teammates, coaches and family, emphasising that individual recognition in football is built on collective effort.
She also credited her experiences with the Spanish national team with helping her develop as a goalkeeper, while expressing appreciation for those who had supported her through both successful and challenging periods of her career.
Although her name would appear on the trophy, Coll made clear that she viewed the achievement as something shared with the people around her.
Her comments reflected the importance of teamwork in Barcelona’s success and the relationships that have helped her establish herself among the leading goalkeepers in the women’s game.
Charlyn Corral Makes History for Mexico
While Barcelona collected the majority of the women’s awards, Corral provided one of the evening’s most significant individual stories.
The Pachuca forward became the first Mexican footballer to win an award at the Ballon d’Or ceremony after being named Women’s Striker of the Year.
At 35, Corral has established herself as one of the most prolific goalscorers in Mexican women’s football, consistently producing impressive numbers in Liga MX Femenil.
Goalscoring Numbers That Earned International Recognition
Corral’s record for the 2025/26 period included:
- 26 goals in total
- 15 domestic league goals
- Five goals in international club matches
- Six goals for Mexico
Her finishing ability and consistency in front of goal provided the foundation for her recognition, while the award offered an important moment of visibility for women’s football in Mexico.
Corral’s achievement also served as a reminder of the quality found beyond Europe’s leading leagues, with outstanding players continuing to make their mark across different footballing environments.
A Reward For Years Of Dedication
Corral expressed immense pride in representing Mexico on one of football’s biggest stages.
During her acceptance speech, she reflected on approximately two decades of hard work, discipline and sacrifice that had shaped her professional career.
She also dedicated the award to her teammates, recognising the role they had played in helping her achieve such impressive goalscoring numbers.
Becoming the first Mexican recipient of a Ballon d’Or award made the occasion particularly significant. The trophy recognised not only her performances during the season but also the dedication required to reach the highest level of the sport.
Pere Romeu Rewarded for Barcelona’s Historic Campaign
Barcelona’s individual honours continued with head coach Romeu being named Women’s Coach of the Year.
The 32-year-old guided the side through a hugely successful campaign, winning the Champions League alongside Liga F, the Copa de la Reina and the Spanish Super Cup.
The Statistics Behind Barcelona’s Dominance
Barcelona’s domestic performances were particularly impressive, with the team scoring 130 goals and conceding just nine across 30 Liga F matches.
That attacking output equated to an average of 4.33 goals per game, underlining the consistency with which Romeu’s side overwhelmed their domestic opponents.
Their European campaign also ended in emphatic fashion, with Barcelona securing a commanding 4-0 victory over OL Lyonnes in the Champions League final.
Alongside the silverware, Romeu demonstrated a willingness to introduce younger players into the first team, with López among those continuing to develop under his guidance.
The combination of results, attacking football and player development provided a strong case for his recognition as the season’s outstanding coach.
Romeu Pays Tribute To His Players and Staff
Romeu was quick to acknowledge the collective effort behind his individual award, thanking his players and coaching staff for their dedication and willingness to improve throughout the campaign.
He described the achievement as a collective honour and expressed a wish that the entire team could have joined him on stage.
His reaction highlighted the importance of contributions made away from the spotlight, particularly from staff members whose work is not always visible on matchdays.
For the Barcelona manager, the award represented recognition of the standards established throughout the club rather than simply his own managerial achievements.
Barcelona Complete a Night to Remember
The Catalan club’s success was rounded off by the Women’s Club of the Year award, which Barcelona collected for the third time in four years.
Their achievements during the 2025/26 campaign demonstrated their continued strength in domestic and European competition, with four major trophies providing the clearest evidence of their success.
Barcelona’s league performances were especially striking. Scoring 130 goals across 30 matches, they averaged 4.33 goals per game while conceding only nine times.
Their ability to maintain a recognisable playing identity while integrating younger players into the first team also contributed to their standing as one of the leading forces in the women’s game.
With Putellas, López, Coll and Romeu receiving individual honours, the ceremony reflected how Barcelona’s collective achievements translated into recognition across multiple categories.
Full List Of 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or Award Winners
| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Women’s Ballon d’Or | Alexia Putellas |
| Young Talent of the Year | Vicky López |
| Goalkeeper of the Year | Cata Coll |
| Striker of the Year | Charlyn Corral |
| Coach of the Year | Pere Romeu |
| Club of the Year | Barcelona |
The 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or Rankings
The ceremony also recognised the wider pool of talent across women’s football, with the following players featuring in the supplied rankings.
- Alexia Putellas
- Ewa Pajor
- Khadija Shaw
- Melchie Dumornay
- Patri Guijarro
- Caroline Graham Hansen
- Pernille Harder
- Clàudia Pina
- Alessia Russo
- Temwa Chawinga
- Yui Hasegawa
- Klara Bühl
- Mariona Caldentey
- Wendie Renard
- Cata Coll
- Mapi León
- Esmee Brugts
- Barbra Banda
- Tessa Wullaert
- Selma Bacha
- Scarlett Camberos
- Manaka Matsukbo
- Momoko Tanikawa
- Kerstin Casparij
- Caroline Weir
- Alex Greenwood
- Rose Lavelle
- Lorena
- Melvine Malard
- Vivianne Miedema
A Celebration of Women’s Football’s Global Reach
The 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony highlighted the quality, depth and growing international reach of women’s football.
Putellas’ third triumph provided the headline moment, but the evening also recognised emerging talent, outstanding goalkeeping, influential coaching and the achievements of players competing outside Europe’s biggest leagues.
Barcelona’s dominance reflected a successful blend of established international stars and developing talent, with the club’s quadruple providing a fitting backdrop to its individual accolades.
Corral’s historic recognition offered a different but equally important story, demonstrating that world-class performances can emerge from across the global game.
For Putellas, the evening marked another return to the pinnacle of her sport. For Barcelona, it confirmed the success of a remarkable season. And for women’s football, it provided a celebration of the players and coaches continuing to raise standards and inspire the next generation.
