A double and a first for Alexia Putellas. The midfielder and captain of FC Barcelona won the Ballon d’Or 2022 on Monday, October 17, like last season. The Spanish player thus became the first player to win the trophy for the second time (open to women since 2018) and to keep it. Putellas sees his individual 2021-2022 season rewarded, in particular for his leading role in the game of Barça, champion of Spain and new great of Europe.
Her absence during the last Euro, due to a rupture of the cruciate ligaments of the left knee, which always keeps her away from the field, did not prevent her from getting ahead of the competition. It must be said that the race was undecided as no player broke away last season. On the podium, she is ahead of the Englishwoman Beth Mead, European champion this summer, and the Australian Sam Kerr, 3rd.
“On July 5, I injured my knee, I thought it would not be possible (to win the trophy again), that we were only going to remember the most recent things“, she confided on the stage of the Théâtre du Chatelet on Monday evening. “I am very happy to be here againshe added. Last year, when I managed to win the trophy for the first time, I promised myself to improve myself to put myself at the service of the team.“.
Alexia Putellas made the difference with her ability to raise her game again last year, especially in front of goal. Top scorer in the Champions League (11 goals) and author of 34 goals over the whole season, Alexia Putellas has made the difference in her ability to improve her statistics. The final reached in the Champions League, and lost against Olympique Lyonnais despite their goal (1-3), also marked the spirits.
The complete classification of the Women’s Ballon d’Or 2022! #ballondor pic.twitter.com/ArzODTfnNN
— THE TEAM (@theteam) October 17, 2022
The first French, Wendie Renard, had to settle for 8th place. Another Lyonnaise, Selma Bacha, takes 14th place, ahead of the Parisians, Marie-Antoinette Katoto (17th) and Kadidiatou Diani (20th).