Alexia Putellas, a Barcelona and Spain midfielder, won the Ballon d’Or Feminin for the second time on Monday, becoming the first two-time winner.
Putellas was honored in 2021 after winning the Champions League with Barcelona, and he is back in the final this year.
Despite ending as the competition’s top scorer and Player of the Season, the Blaugrana fell short this time, losing to Lyon.
She was consequently denied a place in the Women’s Euro 2022 after damaging her anterior cruciate ligament on the eve of the competition.
Despite missing the event, in which three of her four fellow Ballon d’Or finalists competed, France Football voted Putellas the world’s finest player again in Paris.
Beth Mead, who inspired England’s Euro victory, came in second.
Putellas was a popular winner who delivered an emotional statement in which she reflected on a difficult phase in her career.
“Many thanks to France Football and the jury members,” she remarked. “I broke my knee on April 5, and I thought this [winning the Ballon d’Or] would be impossible since I thought the most recent European Championship would be remembered.
“My heartfelt compliments go to the English FA for the organization of the European Championship and the influence it is having on women’s football in that country. They serve as an example of how they do it.
“I’m hoping that the next time I have to speak, it will be on the pitch, and that we’ll see each other there.”