AFP | Ahmad Salah | Oct 27, 2026 | 07:35+08:00
Translated by Barcelona
Barcelona Assert Their Dominance in the Women's Awards: Putellas Crowned with the 2026 Ballon d'Or
A New Historic Season for Barça
Barcelona dominated the women's category at the 2026 Ballon d'Or, sweeping to the fore during Monday evening's ceremony at the London Palladium.
Alexia Putellas claimed the 2026 Women's Ballon d'Or. The former Barcelona captain is back at the summit of the women's game after a season packed with goals, assists, and silverware.
Putellas tore her cruciate ligament in 2022 and fought hard to get back on the pitch. She has since rediscovered her world-class best. Last season, she scored 24 goals and set up 13 more for Barcelona across all competitions, including seven goals and seven assists in the Champions League alone. UEFA named her the competition's best player this season too, shortly before she announced her exit from the Catalan club after 14 trophy-laden years to join London City Lionesses.
This crowning adds another individual honour to a glittering career. Putellas won the Women's Ballon d'Or in 2021 and 2022, cementing her place among the greatest players in the history of women's football.
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Vicky López: Barcelona's Gem Opens the Women's Awards
Spain's Vicky López took home the award for best young player. Lucy Bronze, the England star, handed over the prize.
Five players made the shortlist: Wieke Bouman (Netherlands, Chelsea), Felicia Schröder (Sweden, Häcken/Real Madrid), Clara Serrajordi (Spain, Barcelona), and Lily Yohannes (United States, Lyon). But the name read out at the end was López.
The Barcelona player proved once more that the Catalan club's academy never stops producing talent.
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Ballon d'Or Award for Best Coach 2026
Barcelona's haul did not stop at López. Coach Pere Romeu scooped the Best Coach award for 2026 after an exceptional season that delivered several trophies, headed by the Women's Champions League.
Spanish coach Rafa Benítez presented the award — the man behind the famous Miracle of Istanbul. He led Liverpool to a historic 3–3 comeback after trailing by three goals, before winning on penalties in the 2005 Champions League final.
Romeu is rightly seen as the true architect behind Barcelona Women's latest stunning season.
Spain's Cata Coll was crowned Best Goalkeeper in 2026. She played a pivotal role in Barcelona's run to the Women's Champions League title.
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Barcelona Named Best Women's Football Club
The Catalan club also scooped the award for best women's football club 2026, confirming Barcelona's dominance in this category.
Barcelona's women had won the award twice before, in 2023 (the first edition) and again in 2024, before finishing runners-up in 2025.
Pere Romeu's side made history in 2025–26. They swept up four titles: the Spanish league, the Queen's Cup, the Spanish Super Cup, and, of course, a fourth UEFA Champions League.
Read also: Ballon d'Or 2026: Paris Saint-Germain Retain the Best Club Award
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Charlène Coral: First Mexican Woman to Win an Award in the Ballon d'Or Race
Mexican striker Charlyn Corral has been crowned Best Women's Striker 2026, becoming the first Mexican player to land the honour. The Pachuca forward made history with the award.
Known as the Women's Gerd Müller Trophy, the prize rewards her outstanding goalscoring output across last season. It is a separate honour from the Women's Ballon d'Or, which goes to the best player in the world.
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