Alexia Putellas wins a third Ballon d’Or as Vicky López and Cata Coll are also honoured

Alexia Putellas won the Ballon d’Or, finishing ahead of her teammate Ewa Pajor, who came second, and Khadija Shaw, who placed third. The former Barça captain, who played for the club until 30 June, claimed her third Ballon d’Or. Vicky López retained the Kopa Trophy for the best young talent, while Cata Coll received the Yashin Trophy for the world’s best goalkeeper. Mundo Deportivo described the ceremony in London as a historic night for Spanish women’s football.

Alexia linked the award to her city. «I hope I can take this recognition to Barcelona, where it belongs,» she said. She also had a message for young people: «If you have a dream, go for it, even if you have to start from zero.»

Cata Coll received the Yashin Trophy and finished 15th in the Ballon d’Or standings. In her speech, she emphasised the collective role of goalkeepers: «It is an individual award, but, as I always say, a goalkeeper can save a match or a final; without them, it would be impossible to be here today. This award is as much theirs as it is mine.» She also paid tribute to the goalkeepers who paved the way and to girls who dream of following them, saying that showing them they could one day stand on that stage mattered more than any trophy.

Pere Romeu was also named women’s coach of the year, while Barça was selected as women’s team of the year. On the international stage, Thierry Henry drew attention to the equipment available to women players. «You have players wearing men’s boots, and that is not normal,» the former France international argued. He sees technological innovation as one way to advance women’s football ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.