Alexia Putellas has won the 2026 Women’s Ballon d’Or, securing the prestigious individual award for the third time in her career. The Spanish midfielder finished ahead of Ewa Pajor and Khadija Shaw at the ceremony held in London on 26 October 2026.
Putellas previously won the award in 2021 and 2022. Her latest victory follows an impressive 2025/26 season with Barcelona, during which she helped the club win the UEFA Women’s Champions League and earned the competition’s Player of the Season award.
For football fans in Nigeria and across Africa, Malawi forward Temwa Chawinga’s tenth-place finish is another notable result.
Here are the official top ten rankings, the main reasons behind Putellas’s success and the key takeaways from this year’s awards.
Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026: Official Top 10
The following positions were published by UEFA after the ceremony.
- Alexia Putellas — Spain, Barcelona / London City Lionesses
- Ewa Pajor — Poland, Barcelona
- Khadija Shaw — Jamaica, Manchester City
- Melchie Dumornay — Haiti, OL Lyonnes
- Patri Guijarro — Spain, Barcelona
- Caroline Graham Hansen — Norway, Barcelona
- Pernille Harder — Denmark, Bayern Munich
- Clàudia Pina — Spain, Barcelona
- Alessia Russo — England, Arsenal
- Temwa Chawinga — Malawi, Kansas City Current
Official source: UEFA’s Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026 results.
These are the final finishing positions, not a prediction or an editorial ranking.
Why Alexia Putellas Won
Putellas’s success was built on her influence across Barcelona’s attacking play and the club’s achievements during the 2025/26 campaign.
According to UEFA, she scored seven goals and provided seven assists in Barcelona’s victorious Women’s Champions League campaign. Her 14 direct goal contributions highlighted her ability to create opportunities as well as finish them.
Furthermore, she was named the competition’s Player of the Season. She also received recognition for her performances during Spain’s 2025 UEFA Women’s Nations League triumph.
These achievements help explain why she finished ahead of the other nominees. Rather than relying on one statistic, her season combined individual quality, creativity and success in major competitions.
Ewa Pajor Finishes Second
Barcelona forward Ewa Pajor claimed second place, finishing behind her club teammate Putellas.
Pajor was among the leading contenders before the ceremony because of her scoring performances and contribution to Barcelona’s successful season. Her runner-up finish confirms that she was one of the strongest players in the final voting.
However, finishing second does not tell us how close the voting was. Without verified voting totals, it would be inaccurate to claim that she narrowly missed winning the award.
Khadija Shaw Completes the Podium
Jamaica international Khadija Shaw finished third, giving Manchester City representation among the top three.
Her position is an important part of the final results because pre-award forecasts do not always match the outcome of the vote. The official ranking places Shaw ahead of Melchie Dumornay, Patri Guijarro and several other high-profile players.
Ultimately, the final standings provide the definitive order for the 2026 award.
Temwa Chawinga Makes the Top Ten
Malawi forward Temwa Chawinga finished tenth while representing Kansas City Current.
Her placement gives African football fans a notable result to follow in this year’s awards. Although she did not reach the podium, a top-ten finish places her among the leading players recognised by the final ranking.
For readers following women’s football beyond European competitions, Chawinga’s achievement is an important part of the story.
Official Results vs Pre-Award Predictions
Before the ceremony, football publications released rankings based on their assessments of player performances. These forecasts helped readers compare candidates, but they were not official results.
The confirmed standings show why that distinction matters. Khadija Shaw finished third, Melchie Dumornay placed fourth and Patri Guijarro reached fifth. Temwa Chawinga also secured tenth place in the final ranking.
A forecast can be useful when it explains its reasoning and uses available evidence. Nevertheless, once an award has been presented, coverage should clearly distinguish predictions from the confirmed outcome.
Readers can compare the official results with the earlier PlayersRanked pre-ceremony analysis.
Putellas Matches Aitana Bonmatí’s Record
Putellas’s third victory brings her level with Spain teammate Aitana Bonmatí, who won the Women’s Ballon d’Or in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Putellas’s victories came in 2021, 2022 and 2026. Together, the two players have won the award six times consecutively for Spain.
This achievement highlights Spain’s continued influence on women’s football and places Putellas among the most successful recipients of the award.
Other Women’s Awards in 2026
The ceremony also recognised achievements in several other categories.
- Women’s Young Talent of the Year: Vicky López
- Women’s Goalkeeper of the Year: Cata Coll
- Women’s Coach of the Year: Pere Romeu
- Women’s Club of the Year: Barcelona
- Women’s Striker of the Year: Charlyn Corral
Barcelona’s success across several categories reflected its strong 2025/26 campaign. Cata Coll was also recognised for her goalkeeping performances, while coach Pere Romeu received the award for his work with the team.
For the complete award announcement and supporting details, visit UEFA’s official report.
What the 2026 Results Tell Us
This year’s rankings demonstrate the importance of evaluating a full season rather than relying on reputation alone. Putellas combined individual production with team success, while Pajor and Shaw also earned places on the podium.
At the same time, Chawinga’s top-ten finish provides a relevant connection to African football. These results offer readers a clear picture of the players recognised at the ceremony without confusing pre-event predictions with confirmed positions.
For more football news, results, fixtures and analysis, visit BALL1TH.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026?
Alexia Putellas won the award for the third time, following her victories in 2021 and 2022.
Who finished second and third?
Ewa Pajor finished second, while Khadija Shaw took third place.
Where did Temwa Chawinga finish?
Temwa Chawinga finished tenth in the official Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026 rankings.
How many Women’s Ballon d’Or awards has Putellas won?
She has won three: in 2021, 2022 and 2026.
Where can I find the official rankings?
UEFA published the results on its official website after the ceremony. You can read the full official report here.
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Editorial note: Rankings and award information in this article are attributed to UEFA. This article is an original summary and analysis, not an official publication by UEFA or France Football.
