Putellas reigns in Spain as Barcelona ace wins second straight Ballon d'Or

Even with a serious cruciate ligament injury a few days before the start of the Euros, Putellas won the Ballon d'Or for the second year in a row. If the 2021 title was expected, the 2022 title was less obvious, despite a season full of success.

Thrilled to take the stage at the Ballon d'Or Gala, Putellas expressed her happiness at once again winning the trophy that accredits her as the best player in the world for the second consecutive season.

"I am very happy to be here. When I managed to win the first one a year ago, I set out on my own to try to improve myself to put it at the service of the team. 

"And to see it rewarded in this way makes me proud. Without my teammates I would not be here, I appreciate them very much, it is a privilege to be their teammate," she added.

Putellas went on to thank "the coaching staff and the coach, who help me on a daily basis; the club, the president, the board of directors and all the people who work at the club.

"It is a privilege to play for Barca, I am a Culé and to see everything that happened last season... thank you for trusting me and allowing me to be part of this project.

"It hasn't been a good few months because of the injury. I hope that the next time I have to speak it will be again on the field, winning and playing the way I like".

After watching a video with her best bits, Putellas, with tears on her face and overcome with emotion, explained that her recovery "is going well, but I really miss all those moments, feeling like a footballer and doing what I like the most, which is playing." 

With Barcelona, Putellas won the treble last season; the league and cup in Spain as well as the Champions League.