FC Barcelona women midfielder Alexia Putellas has won the 2021 Ballon d’Or Feminin, capping off a fine year for the Barcelona women captain.
Going into the ceremony Putellas was the heavy favourite, alongside her teammate Jenni Hermoso and Chelsea’s Australian international Sam Kerr and it is not hard to see why. While the men’s side was falling apart, the Spaniard formed a crucial part of Barcelona’s treble-winning team.
Putellas Records
Putellas contributed a record 37 goals and 27 assists during 2021, often wearing the captain’s armband as La Blaugrana steamrolled their opposition to win the league cup, Champions League and the league.
Alexia Putellas recorded 37 goals and 21 assists in 2021 to earn her the 2021 Ballon d’Or Feminin. | PHOTO: Getty Images |
Their best performance of all came during the 2021 Champions League final when they cruised to a 4-0 victory over Chelsea – who themselves had a host of players nominated for the Ballon d’Or, which saw the club named the club of the year. Putellas scored a penalty in that game and was massively influential throughout, as she has been all year.
Second-ever person to win the Ballon d’Or Feminin
Putellas becomes just the second-ever person to win the Ballon d’Or Feminin after Ada Hegerberg in 2019. The 2020 award was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, thus making this just the second Ballon d’Or Feminin to be awarded.
Alexia Putellas is ready to collect her award during the 2021 Ballon d’Or ceremony in France on Monday, 29 November 2021. | PHOTO: Aurelien Meunier/GettyImages |
Just missing out on the gong in second was Putellas’ Barcelona and Spain teammate Jennifer Hermoso. She hit 42 goals during the year, sealing a three straight golden boot in Spain in the process.
In third was Chelsea star, Sam Kerr. The Australian managed a mightily impressive 40 goals and 17 assists, forming a particularly fruitful partnership with Fran Kirby – who was also on the Ballon d’Or list to fire the Blues to the Women’s Super League title.
Arsenal’s Holland star Vivianne Miedema came fourth, another Barcelona treble-winner Lieke Martens was fifth while the legendary Christine Sinclair was sixth.
Chelsea pair Pernille Harder and Jessie Fleming came seventh and eighth. Ashley Lawrence and Fran Kirby completed the top ten.
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