Alexia Putellas on third Ballon d'Or: This is a team effort

Alexia Putellas shared her emotions after the 2026 Ballon d'Or ceremony, where she secured the prestigious individual award for the third time in her career. The Spanish midfielder emphasized that the achievement was a testament to the collective effort of her teammates, the coaching staff, and the unwavering support of her loved ones.

The footballer paid special tribute to Barcelona, the club she played for during a 14-year tenure before moving to London City Lionesses this past summer. According to Alexia, the strong presence of Catalan club players among the nominees was proof of an outstanding season in which the team captured four trophies.

Thank you so much. It is a great pleasure to be here again. I don't even know what to say—there is so much I want to remember. Alexia Putellas

A significant portion of her speech was dedicated to overcoming personal adversity. Following a severe knee injury, Putellas had to essentially learn how to play football again. She expressed deep gratitude to her family, who supported her during moments when she struggled to perform even basic movements.

Concluding her speech, Alexia sent a motivational message to young boys and girls worldwide, urging them to pursue their dreams regardless of obstacles. "If you have a dream, go for it, even if you have to start from zero at some point," the Ballon d'Or winner concluded.