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Spanish Star Aims for Third Ballon d'Or Crown
26 Oct
Summary
- Alexia Putellas is favored to win her third Ballon d'Or.
- Spain boasts the world's most dominant club and national teams.
- Khadija Shaw leads the WSL with 21 goals, challenging Spanish dominance.
The upcoming Ballon d'Or ceremony is poised to crown another Spanish star, with Alexia Putellas heavily favored to secure her third title. Spain's influence on women's football is undeniable, showcased by Barcelona's consistent dominance and the national team's recent triumphs, including the 2023 World Cup and last December's Nations League victory. Putellas herself was instrumental, contributing 21 goals and 13 assists for Barcelona.
Her prolific scoring and leadership have solidified her status, with one expert calling her arguably the best player in history alongside Marta. Spain has the most players on the shortlist, highlighting their depth of talent. However, Manchester City's Khadija Shaw presents a significant challenge, having been the WSL's top scorer for three consecutive seasons, netting 21 league goals last season.
Other notable contenders include Arsenal's Alessia Russo and Barcelona's Ewa Pajor, who excelled in the Champions League. The award period spans August 3, 2025, to July 19, 2026, evaluating individual and team performances. Despite attempts to address past criticisms regarding scheduling and Euro-centrism, the lack of US-based players from the NWSL remains a point of contention.
