Putellas claims third Ballon d’Or as award shortlists expose gender gap

Alexia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d’Or for a record-equalling third time, returning to the top after recovering from a serious knee injury. Her performances helped Barcelona win the Champions League and Spain claim the Nations League, underlining her standing among the game’s greatest players.

The award continued Spain’s run: Putellas or Aitana Bonmatí has won it in each of the past six years. The article argues that the ceremony still falls short of equality, with shorter shortlists and few women presenting awards. Its voting period excluded the rearranged Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, leaving African players under-represented; Temwa Chawinga was the only African player in the top 10.