Barcelona's Alexia Putellas Retains Women's Ballon d'Or

Barcelona captain Alexia Putellas has retained the Women's Ballon d'Or, awarded to the best best female footballer of 2022.

The midfielder, 28, who won the award last year, suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the summer and missed Spain's Euro 2022 campaign.

 
Before her injury, Putellas was the Champions League top scorer for Barca last season with 11 goals in 10 games.

Arsenal striker Beth Mead was second, with Chelsea forward Sam Kerr in third.

England's Mead was named Euros 2022's best player after winning the Golden Boot, given to the tournament's top scorer, as the Lionesses secured their first major trophy with a 2-1 victory over Germany at Wembley.

The 27-year-old's international team-mates Lucy Bronze and Millie Bright were also nominated, with Barcelona defender Bronze finishing in 10th place and Chelsea centre-back Bright coming 15th.