She is ahead of the English Beth Mead (2nd), from Arsenal, crowned European champion at home with the "Lionesses" and named best player of the competition, and the Australian Sam Kerr (3rd), who plays at Chelsea.
"On July 5, I injured my knee, I thought it would not be possible" to win the trophy a second time, "that we were only going to remember the most recent things", launched the winner on the stage of the Châtelet theater, before the designation of the male Ballon d'Or, expected around 9:39 p.m., for which Karim Benzema is favorite.
"I'm very happy to be here again," she added.
"Last year, when I managed to win the trophy for the first time, I promised myself that I would improve to put myself at the service of the team".
She then had a word for her teammates, "without them I wouldn't be here, I couldn't have won. I love them all and I thank them".
Despite missing the Euros this summer for the serious knee injury, which occurred on the eve of the competition, 28-year-old Putellas prevailed, becoming the first winner to retain her Women's Ballon d'Or. , launched in 2018 by France Football magazine.
The first year, Norwegian Ada Hegerberg (Lyon) won, followed in 2019 by American world champion Megan Rapinoe (Reign FC, now OL Reign).
The 2020 edition had been canceled due to Covid-19, and Putellas won for the first time in 2021.
The English defeated
The English, Beth Mead in the lead, were among the favorites, but the votes of the jurors were dispersed between the player of Arsenal, Lucy Bronze (10th) and Millie Bright (15th).
Attacking or attacking midfielder, the one who bears her first name, Alexia, flocked to her jersey, finished champion of Spain, and finalist in the Champions League with Barça, beaten by Lyon (3-1).
After playing in youth teams at Sabadell, she went through Espanyol Barcelona before returning at 19 to Barça, the club of her heart, at 18, in 2012, where she accompanied the creation of the professional section, in 2015.
She established herself there as a legend, becoming six times champion of Spain.
The Catalan holds the record for caps with the Spanish women's team, with 100 caps (23 goals).
Absent from the field through injury until 2023, Putellas is currently in conflict with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) like a majority of internationals.
On September 22, fifteen "Roja" players announced that they would give up wearing the famous red jersey as long as current coach Jorge Vilda, in whom the RFEF has renewed its confidence, will remain in office.
© 2022 AFP