After a four‑year drought, Putellas reclaims the Ballon d’Or, tying the record with a third trophy and cementing Spain’s hold on the prize.
In my view, the narrow shortlist hurts the award’s credibility, yet her resurgence after a 2022 ACL tear proves her resilience. The sixth straight year a Spaniard wins, and fans wonder: will the nominee pool broaden to reflect the sport’s depth next season?