PARIS – Spain’s Alexia Putellas retained the women’s Ballon d’Or award after her remarkable success on the pitch during the year even though she was blighted by injuries.
The award was previously based on a player’s performance over the calendar year.
But the format has changed, with the award now based on a player’s record over the past season.
This may have helped Putellas win the women’s award despite a serious knee injury in July that saw her miss the European Championships with Spain.
Instead, Putellas’ performances with Barcelona were given credit after she was the top scorer in the Women’s Champions League to help the Catalans reach the final they lost to Lyon.
“It upsets me even more to be injured but I’m very happy to be here,” Putellas said.
“Keeping the trophy is much more difficult. When I injured my knee, I thought my chances of winning were gone, but in the end the jury based their decision on the whole of last season, of which I only missed a month.
The 28-year-old ousted Beth Mead, who scored six goals for the Euro-winning England side on home soil.
Third was Chelsea and Australia’s Sam Kerr.
It is only the fourth time a Women’s Ballon d’Or has been awarded, with Norway’s Ada Hegerberg winning the top prize in 2018 and Megan Rapinoe triumphing in 2019.
There was no ceremony in 2020 due to the pandemic until Putellas claimed his first victory a year ago.
Her injury makes her unlikely to create a hat-trick next year, although she hopes to play again this season.
“The knee is fine. I just have to focus on my recovery and if everything goes as I hope – and as the doctors and my club hope – I will play again this season,” she said.
- Editor/ additional report by AFP
