Ballon d’Or 2022: Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas retains Ballon d’Or Feminin crown in Paris

Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas has won the Ballon d’Or Feminin for the second year in a row.

This year’s Ballon d’Or Feminin is awarded for performance in the 2021-22 season, rather than the calendar year.

“I’m very happy to be back here,” Putellas said after picking up the prize off former Ukraine striker Andriy Shevchenko.

“Happy and pleased. The truth is a year ago I was able to win this prize. It pushed me to want to do even better. Without my team-mates this wouldn’t have been possible.

“Some of my team-mates are here present tonight. I want to thank the technical staff, the coaches who help me each and every day.

“I injured my knee at a time I didn’t think it could be possible. The next time [at the awards] I hope to be back on the pitch.”

Last season, Putellas was in scintillating form. She scored 18 goals and backed that up with a league-high 18 assists as she helped Barca to the La Liga title.

In 2021 Putellas won the Ballon d’Or after a treble-winning campaign with Barcelona.

Aside from Putellas, Only Hegerberg and Megan Rapinoe have previously won the Ballon d’Or Feminin following its inception in 2018.