London City Lionesses star Alexia Putellas claimed a record-equalling third women's Ballon d'Or. The Spain international captained Barcelona to a quadruple last season, including Champions League glory, as she scored 26 goals and provided 15 assists for club and country. The 32-year-old then sensationally joined London City Lionesses in one of the biggest transfers in WSL history.
Since her move in July, Putellas has scored three goals and has an assist in her seven WSL games. The Women's Super League has never been able to boast a Ballon d'Or winner. Alexia Putellas' arrival has changed that; the latest recipient of football's most prestigious individual honour at Monday's ceremony in London, a town she surprisingly now calls home.
While most anticipated this result, the fact she collected the prize as a player of London City Lionesses is far more surreal. Putellas enjoyed a dream end to her 14-year career with Barcelona in May, captaining the club where she made her name to its second quadruple in three years. She was instrumental to that trophy haul.
A player woven inextricably into the fabric of success. And so it was almost unthinkable to imagine 'Alexia' embroidered on any other club shirt before this summer. Only possible in fantasy games or some sort of virtual reality.
But London City Lionesses are of course no ordinary football club. Michele Kang runs an empire. Its intent is to revolutionise the women's game.
She owns Washington Spirit, OL Lyonnes and London City. The latter is the most junior of those outfits, and therefore theoretically the furthest away from reaching a point where silverware is likely - or even possible. But Putellas took a leap of faith.
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