Alexia Putellas has been named the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year for the second season in a row. The Barcelona and Spain star finished ahead of England’s Euro 2022 hero Beth Mead and Germany’s powerhouse midfielder Lena Oberdorf. Putellas is the first player to win the award twice in succession and joins Chelsea forward Pernille Harder in being a multiple-time winner. The Spaniard earned 97 points in the voting, while Mead was second and ended up just 13 points behind the midfielder. Though Putellas enjoyed an outstanding domestic campaign, an ACL injury forced her to miss the Euros and there were questions over whether this would count against her. Speaking after winning the award, the Barca star stressed how pleased she was to be honoured and that receiving the accolade motivates her to continue her recovery from injury. "I feel very happy to win this award for the second consecutive year, especially right at this moment,” she said. â€œUnfortunately, I'm not able to do what I love doing most [due to long-term injury], so being here again motivates me. The coming year will be a tough one for me but I want to get back to playing and training and to be able to do my job, which is what I like doing most. I'm working towards that with my recovery every day.”

The stats behind Putelllas’ win 

Despite missing out on Euro 2022 in agonising fashion, Putellas’ domestic form in 2021/122 was arguably better than her 2020/21 campaign. 

The 28-year-old notched 11 goals in 10 Champions League games and scored in the final against Lyon.

Meanwhile, in the Primera División, Putellas finished with 18 goals and 16 assists in just 26 league games as Barcelona ended the season with a faultless record. 

Across all competitions, the Spanish star ended up with 34 goals and 19 assists. For her performances, she was named the Primera División Player of the Season. 

At international level, Putellas also scored eight goals in 12 games and became the first woman to earn 100 caps for Spain. 

Alexia Putellas shooting
BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 10: Alexia Putellas of FC Barcelona scores his side's 2nd goal during the UEFA Women's Champions League group C match between FC Barcelona and 1899 Hoffenheim at Estadi Johan Cruyff on November 10, 2021 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Will Putellas win the Ballon d’Or? 

Putellas is also the reigning Ballon d’Or Féminin champion and has been nominated for this year’s award. 

There is a strong chance the 28-year-old could retain the award, though the likes of Mead and Oberdorf will be in contention once again. 

Another player who has a realistic chance of winning the honour is Chelsea’s Sam Kerr.

Sam Kerr
KINGSTON UPON THAMES, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Sam Kerr of Chelsea with the Barclays FA Women's Super League trophy after the Barclays FA Women's Super League match between Chelsea Women and Manchester United Women at Kingsmeadow on May 08, 2022 in Kingston upon Thames, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

The striker was not on the 22-person shortlist for the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year but she did finish as the top scorer in the Women’s Super League for the second year in a row. 

Kerr has been nominated for the Ballon d’Or Féminin every year since its inception but her highest finish is third in 2021.