How Putellas bounced back from ACL hell to win a third Ballon d'Or
Story updated
The story in brief
7-second readThe London City Lionesses midfielder picked up the most prestigious individual prize in the game on Monday after leading Barcelona to a quadruple in 2025-26
From the source
Many moments led to that which saw Alexia Putellas awarded her third Ballon d'Or in London on Monday. Perhaps the most important, though, didn't even happen in the 2025-26 season for which she was awarded the Golden Ball, after helping Barcelona to win a quadruple.
Instead, it came over two years ago. As the 2024 Women's Champions League final ticked into stoppage time, Barca were leading Lyon 1-0 and were just minutes away from a first-ever win over the eight-time European champions, who had beaten them in the 2022 and 2019 finals.
Jonatan Giraldez, the Blaugrana boss, turned to his bench for some fresh legs to help see the win out, sending on Claudia Pina and Putellas.
At a glance
- Reporting status
- Reported
- Original publisher
- GOAL ↗
- Source published
- Clubs covered
- Barcelona
Attributed publisher reporting. Kickjolly has not independently confirmed the claim.
Source context
This brief is drawn from GOAL. The original report is linked below for its complete context.
Read original report ↗THE NEXT STORY STARTS HERE
Keep reading
More stories connected to this one. Find your next talking point.
Barcelona president backs Lamine Yamal to win the Ballon d’Or after third-place finish: ‘I’m convinced’
Barcelona president Joan Laporta is convinced Lamine Yamal will eventually win the Ballon d’Or after the teenager finished third in the 2026 voting behind Harry Kane and Kylian…
Barca Universal
Putellas wins record-equalling third Ballon d'Or
Barcelona and Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas wins the Ballon d'Or Feminin for a record-equalling third time.
BBC Sport
Ballon d'Or chief reveals how Rodri stole Yamal votes in 2026 race
Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal fell just short of making history as the youngest-ever Ballon d'Or winner, finishing third in the 2026 rankings behind Harry Kane and Kylian…
GOAL
'Everyone knows he was the best' - Yamal's uncle slams Kane's Ballon d'Or win
Lamine Yamal's uncle has publicly criticised the decision to award Harry Kane the Ballon d'Or ahead of the Barcelona winger.
GOAL
FC Barcelona News: 27 October 2026; Lamine Yamal wins Kopa Trophy, finished third in Ballon d’Or
Lamine Yamal, Young Talent of the Year and third in Ballon d’Or rankings | FC Barcelona Lamine Yamal won the Kopa Trophy for the third year in a row on Monday night and also…
Barca BlaugranesThe stands
0 commentsHave your say. Keep it about football. Guest comments are reviewed before appearing publicly.
Be the first to start the conversation.