Women’s Ballon d’Or Winners: Full List From 2018 to 2026
Alexia Putellas has joined an exclusive group of women’s football stars after winning her third Women’s Ballon d’Or, matching the record for the most victories since the award was introduced in 2018.
Putellas claimed the 2026 award on Monday, October 26, returning to the top after Barcelona teammate Aitana Bonmatí won three consecutive editions between 2023 and 2025.
The Spanish midfielder previously won the award in 2021 and 2022. Her latest triumph brings her level with Bonmatí, making them the first players to win the Women’s Ballon d’Or three times.
The Women’s Ballon d’Or recognises the best female footballer of the year. France Football introduced the award in 2018 to recognise outstanding performances in women’s football.
Since its introduction, four players have won the honour. Here is the complete list of winners.
Full list of Women’s Ballon d’Or winners
1. Ada Hegerberg (2018)
Ada Hegerberg became the inaugural Women’s Ballon d’Or winner in 2018.
The Norwegian striker received the award after an outstanding period with Olympique Lyonnais, now known as OL Lyonnes. Her achievement established the first benchmark for the new individual honour in women’s football.
2. Megan Rapinoe (2019)
Megan Rapinoe won the award in 2019 after helping the United States win the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France.
The forward played a decisive role in the tournament and received the World Cup Golden Boot and Golden Ball. Her performances helped her secure the second Women’s Ballon d’Or.
No award was presented in 2020.
3. Alexia Putellas (2021)
Putellas became the first Spanish player to win the Women’s Ballon d’Or in 2021.
The Barcelona midfielder enjoyed an outstanding season, helping the club win the UEFA Women’s Champions League and the Spanish league and cup titles. Her performances established her as one of the leading players in the women’s game.
4. Alexia Putellas (2022)
Putellas retained the award in 2022, becoming the first player to win the Women’s Ballon d’Or in consecutive years.
Despite suffering a serious knee injury shortly before the European Championship, her performances during the preceding season earned her a second consecutive victory.
5. Aitana Bonmatí (2023)
Bonmatí succeeded her Barcelona teammate in 2023 after playing a major role in Spain’s Women’s World Cup triumph.
She was named the tournament’s best player and helped Spain secure its first Women’s World Cup title. Her performances also contributed to Barcelona’s success in European football.
6. Aitana Bonmatí (2024)
Bonmatí won her second consecutive Women’s Ballon d’Or in 2024.
She continued to deliver influential performances for Barcelona and Spain, strengthening her position among the world’s leading midfielders.
7. Aitana Bonmatí (2025)
Bonmatí made history in 2025 by becoming the first player to win the Women’s Ballon d’Or three times.
Her third consecutive victory followed another strong campaign for Barcelona and continued Spain’s dominance of the award.
8. Alexia Putellas (2026)
Putellas returned to the top in 2026 to claim her third Women’s Ballon d’Or.
The victory brought her level with Bonmatí, who had won the previous three editions. Putellas’ three awards came in 2021, 2022 and 2026, while Bonmatí won in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Who has won the Women’s Ballon d’Or the most?
Putellas and Bonmatí share the record with three awards each.
Putellas won in 2021, 2022 and 2026, while Bonmatí claimed the prize in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Rapinoe and Hegerberg have each won the award once, in 2019 and 2018 respectively.
Their achievements reflect the growing global recognition of women’s football and the exceptional players who have shaped the sport since the award’s introduction.