A fter a four-year wait, Alexia Putellas is the queen of women’s football once again. Receiving the Ballon d’Or for a record‑equalling third time to continue Spain’s domination of the award, the 32-year-old reinforces her status as one of the greatest players of all time.

It was the sixth consecutive year in which the honour went to either Putellas or her international teammate Aitana Bonmatí, and it was symbolic of Putellas’s resurgence after her comeback from the anterior cruciate ligament injury she sustained in 2022, her refusal to surrender her career to that setback, and her majestic rise back to the top.

The midfielder’s competition‑leading 14 goal contributions – eight goals and six assists – in 11 Women’s Champions League appearances last season, helping Barcelona to lift the trophy, went a long way to her securing the most votes, as well as her starring role in Spain’s victory in the Nations League finals last December.…