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Alexia Putellas was voted the world’s best female football player for the third time on Monday night. The Spanish midfielder of London City Lionesses, who played for FC Barcelona last season, received the Ballon d'Or Féminin in London.
The three Dutch nominees—Esmee Brugts, Kerstin Casparij and Vivianne Miedema—finished outside the top 10.
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Harry Kane won the men’s Ballon d'Or at the gala in London, ahead of fellow leading contenders Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappé. The Bayern Munich and England striker was recognised for the previous season, in which one report said he scored 73 goals. He was the first English winner since Michael Owen in 2001. Alèxia Putellas won the women’s Ballon d'Or, succeeding Aitana Bonmatí. Lamine Yamal won the men’s Kopa Trophy for best young player for a third consecutive year, while Vicky López won the women’s equivalent for a second straight year. No Dutch nominees won an award: Esmee Brugts placed 17th in the women’s Ballon d'Or ranking, Kerstin Casparij was 24th and Vivianne Miedema shared 28th; Veerle Buurman was among the final five for the women’s young-player prize.
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The Netherlands women’s team advanced to the final round of the 2027 Women’s World Cup qualifying playoffs after beating Hungary 8-0 away and 3-0 at home in Tilburg, winning 11-0 on aggregate. Esmee Brugts, Lineth Beerensteyn and Damaris Egurrola scored in the home match; Isa Cardinal made her international debut as a substitute. Daniëlle van de Donk played her 175th international in the first leg. Slovenia will be the Netherlands’ opponent in the decisive two-leg playoff tie, to be played during the international window from 26 November to 5 December. The winner will qualify for the World Cup in Brazil.