Alexia Putellas Favored to Win Women's Ballon d'Or Again

The Women's Ballon d'Or will be awarded on Monday, with Alexia Putellas as the leading candidate to secure her third title. Spanish players have dominated this award in recent years, with Putellas and Aitana Bonmati winning the last five.

Putellas, who captained Barcelona to a quadruple this past season, including a Champions League title, has been a pivotal figure in her team's success. Despite Bonmati's absence due to injury, other contenders like Khadija Shaw and Alessia Russo are also in the running, having had impressive seasons.

Putellas has scored 21 goals and provided 13 assists, showcasing her influence on the field. The voting process involves international journalists ranking their top candidates, and this year's ceremony addresses previous scheduling criticisms by aligning with the domestic calendar.