Spain soccer star Alexia Putellas is hitting the pitch in style, with Nike releasing the two-time Ballon d'Or winner's first Player Edition with the sportswear giant — a bespoke Phantom 6 boot — earlier this week.
Drenched in a bold red, black, and metallic colorway, the Putellas boots include glitter designed to "create additional distinction under bright stadium lights."
With multiple elements highlighting the FC Barcelona attacker's lucky number 11, the Phantom 6 boots also feature the custom Nike logo for Putellas emblazoned on the heel.
Constructed from a pair of interlocking 11s that combine with the letter "A," Putellas's new logo forms a crown, referencing her nickname of "La Reina" — Spanish for "The Queen."
"Growing up in Spain, I could only watch men playing football," Putellas said in a Nike statement on Sunday. "I never dreamed about playing at Camp Nou or having my own Nike boot. This is crazy, but I'm enjoying the process."
Just days before her 32nd birthday, Putellas adds her new Nike Player Edition Phantom 6 boot to a resume stacked with a World Cup (2023), three UEFA Champions League trophies, and numerous Liga F titles as well as her two Ballons d'Or.
How to purchase the Alexia Putellas Nike Phantom 6 boots
The Nike Phantom 6 Alexia Putellas Player Edition boots are currently available for purchase in both adult and kids sizes at select retail stores and online at nike.com.
Spanish midfielder and reigning Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí is officially eyeing a return to the pitch.
Following a lengthy rehabilitation process for a broken leg suffered last year, the Barcelona superstar is signaling that her comeback will be defined by even better form.
Bonmatí has spent the early part of 2026 focusing on a recovery program designed to not only restore her fitness but also to enhance her durability. The two-time Ballon d'Or winner emphasized that the time away from competition allowed her space to reflect and rebuild, something she intends to use to her advantage as she rejoins both Barcelona and the Spanish national team.
"The goal wasn't just to heal the bone," Bonmatí told reporters from the International Sports Press Association on Monday.
"It was to come back better than I was before the injury. I've worked on aspects of my game and my physicality that you often don't have time for when you are playing every three days."
Bonmatí’s absence has significantly impacted Barcelona, where she's long served as the primary engine in the midfield. While the club has maintained its league dominance, her tactical intelligence and transitional play are vital for their upcoming campaigns.
The 28-year-old's return is equally meaningful for Spain, as the team heads down the road to the 2027 World Cup.
Medical staff have remained cautious with her timeline, prioritizing long-term health over an accelerated return. However, with Bonmatí now participating in full-contact training sessions, a full re-entry appears sooner rather than later.
For the rest of the footballing world, a "better than ever" Bonmatí is a daunting prospect. Should she successfully translate training into award-winning performances on the pitch, the gap between her and the rest of the field may only widen.
In the meantime, Barcelona is once again through to the Spanish Women Super Cup. This Saturday they'll face rivals Real Madrid in an all-new El Clásico, this time with a Super Cup title on the line.
How to watch Barcelona FC vs. Real Madrid in the Women's Super Cup Final
Barcelona kicks off against Real Madrid on Saturday, January 24th at 1 PM ET, live on DAZN.
The NWSL has made a decision, as the league officially moves forward with its new "High Impact Player" rule despite stated opposition from the players union.
Announced last week, the rule change allows clubs to exceed to the NWSL salary cap by up to $1 million to attract or retain players that meet one of eight qualifying metrics set by the league.
Those metrics include major media award rankings like the 30-player Ballon d'Or shortlist and ESPN FC's Top 50 Football Players, as well as marketing power, top USWNT minutes, and end-of-year NWSL awards.
Developed with Washington Spirit superstar — and current free agent — Trinity Rodman and her potential contract in mind, the "High Impact Player" rule will not go into effect until July 1st, 2026.
Meanwhile, the NWSLPA has spoken out against the mechanism, proposing instead to up the salary cap by $1 million without league-imposed spending regulations.
"Under federal labor law, changes to compensation under the salary cap are a mandatory subject of bargaining — not a matter of unilateral discretion," the union wrote on Wednesday.
Additionally, per The Athletic, NWSLPA executive director Meghann Burke expressed concerns that the rule ties top athlete pay, in part, to player valuations in third party publications — a move that externally defines who a club can consider "high impact."
Led by six Kansas City athletes and five from Gotham FC, just 27 current NWSL players across 10 of the 16 clubs in the expanded 2026 season meet the new HIP qualifying criteria — though all teams could use the mechanism to attract a new athlete to the league.
In a growing global market, the NWSL could be falling into a trap of half-measures, as the union pushes back with league parity potentially on the line.
Spain star Aitana Bonmati is out for the rest of the 2025/26 season due to injury, after the Barcelona midfielder fractured her left fibula on Sunday while training for the second leg of La Roja's 2025 Nations League finale against Germany.
The reigning three-time Ballon d'Or winner immediately departed her national team camp to return to Barcelona for further injury testing, with the Liga F club confirming on Tuesday morning that Bonmati underwent a "successful surgery" and will likely miss five months of play while recovering.
With the 27-year-old notching six goals and three assists for her club so far this season, Barcelona will first take the pitch without their superstar for five matches this month — including a pair of 2025/26 UEFA Champions League bouts against Portugal's Benfica and France's Paris FC.
Meanwhile, though Bonmatí featured in world No. 1 Spain's 0-0 first-leg draw with No. 5 Germany on Friday, the already short-handed defending Nations League champions must now contend without their midfield standout in a winner-take-all second-leg match for the 2025 trophy on Tuesday.
How to watch Spain vs. Germany in the 2025 Nations League Final
The 2025 UEFA Nations League final between No. 1 Spain and No. 5 Germany will kick off at 12:30 PM ET on Tuesday, with live coverage on Paramount+.
Celebrated Barcelona and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmatí took home her third consecutive Ballon d'Or at Monday's 2025 awards, becoming the first-ever women's footballer to accomplish the feat.
FC Barcelona has dominated the last five international football player of the year honors, with the voting panel of journalists tapping Barça star Alexia Putellas in 2021 and 2022 followed by Bonmatí starting in 2023.
"My third time in a row here, and I still can't believe it, incredible," Bonmatí said at the annual Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris. "Thank you to France Football for this, for the third time — it really could have gone to anyone."
The 27-year-old's win wasn't without controversy with Bonmatí beating out fellow Spanish national Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal), who came in second despite scoring in both her club's UWCL Final win and Spain's 2025 Euro Final loss.
"If it was possible to share it, I would, because I think it has been a year with an exceptionally high level, above all among my teammates, who had a great year," added Bonmatí.
After their successful Euro title defense, England fans were also miffed at the choice, though manager Sarina Wiegman did win Coach of the Year.
Five Lionesses also earned spots in the Ballon d'Or's Top 10: No. 3 Alessia Russo (Arsenal), No. 5 Chloe Kelly (Arsenal), No. 7 Leah Williamson (Arsenal), No. 9 Lucy Bronze (Chelsea), and No. 10 Hannah Hampton (Chelsea).
Meanwhile, Arsenal was named Women's Club of the Year after dethroning Barcelona in May's Champions League final.
As for the USWNT, standouts Emily Fox (Arsenal) and Lindsey Heaps (OL Lyonnes) made this year's 30-player finalists list, clocking in at Nos. 25 and 26, respectively.
The 2025 Ballon d'Or nominations dropped on Thursday, and only two USWNT players earned nods on the 30-athlete shortlist for soccer's most prestigious individual honor.
US and Arsenal defender Emily Fox earned her first career nomination after the 27-year-old won 2024 Olympic gold with the USWNT and the 2024/25 UEFA Women's Champions League with her club side.
With her third career Ballon d'Or nod, USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps joined Fox on Thursday's 2025 list after leading the US in Paris last summer and playing another strong season with OL Lyonnes.
While the first half of 2025 has been admittedly quiet for USWNT without a major continental tournament on the docket this year — and many of the team's heavy hitters sidelined for various reasons — the Ballon d'Or's consideration timeframe includes their Olympic gold-medal run, making the team's lack of nods a bit head-scratching.
It's far from the first time that the award's shortlist has fallen short. Awarded by French magazine France Football, the Ballon d’Or has long been criticized for heavily favoring athletes who play in Europe. Of the 30 2025 nominees, only six play for clubs outside of Europe — five of them in the NWSL.
Notably, only one US player has ever won the Ballon d'Or, with the 2019 trophy lifted by USWNT icon Megan Rapinoe.
Since then, Barcelona FC have maintained a stranglehold on the award, with midfielder Aitana Bonmatí's two straight wins following attacker Alexia Putellas's back-to-back reign.
USWNT drop to No. 2 in world rankings
This week also saw the USWNT cede ground in the overall FIFA rankings, falling to world No. 2 as new No. 1 Spain claimed a narrow lead of less than two points with their 2025 Euro Final appearance.
Like the Ballon d'Or, Thursday's world ranks contained more than a few confusing shifts, with Brazil somehow falling three spots to No. 7 despite winning a fifth straight Copa América title last weekend, and England earning a mere one-spot rise to No. 4 after defeating Spain in last month's Euro.
The 2025 Ballon d'Or Féminin nominees
Sandy Baltimore (Chelsea, France)
Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride, Zambia)
Aitana Bonmatí (Barcelona, Spain)
Lucy Bronze (Chelsea, England)
Mariona Caldentey (Arsenal, Spain)
Klara Bühl (Bayern Munich, Germany)
Sofia Cantore (Washington Spirit, Italy)
Steph Catley (Arsenal, Australia)
Melchie Dumornay (OL Lyonnes, Haiti)
Temwa Chawinga (Kansas City Current, Malawi)
Emily Fox (Arsenal, US)
Cristiana Girelli (Juventus, Italy)
Esther González (Gotham FC, Spain)
Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona, Norway)
Hannah Hampton (Chelsea, England)
Pernille Harder (Bayern Munich, Denmark)
Patri Guijarro (Barcelona, Spain)
Amanda Gutierres (Palmeiras, Brazil)
Lindsey Heaps (OL Lyonnes, US)
Chloe Kelly (Arsenal, England)
Frida Maanum (Arsenal, Norway)
Marta (Orlando Pride, Brazil)
Clara Mateo (Paris FC, France)
Ewa Pajor (Barcelona, Poland)
Clàudia Pina (Barcelona, Spain)
Alexia Putellas (Barcelona, Spain)
Alessia Russo (Arsenal, England)
Johanna Rytting Kaneryd (Chelsea, Sweden)
Caroline Weir (Real Madrid, Scotland)
Leah Williamson (Arsenal, England)
The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League final kicks off on Saturday, as underdogs Arsenal and defending champs Barcelona each chase history in a head-to-head clash at Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, Portugal.
The Spanish titans aren't just hunting their third European championship in a row — a victory keeps Barcelona's hopes of completing a second straight quadruple alive with their Copa de la Reina finale looming next month.
To do so, however, they'll have to outlast the only English team to ever lift the European trophy, a feat Arsenal accomplished back in 2007.
Making their first Champions League final in 18 years, this season's Gunners are scrappy, boasting an explosive offense that led the league in scoring behind joint-WSL Golden Boot winner Alessia Russo.
The WSL runners-up bounced back from three first-leg deficits against Häcken FC, Real Madrid, and OL Lyonnes en route to the championship match — leading Barcelona star midfielder Aitana Bonmatí to call their appearance "a surprise."
"They absolutely deserve it, because scoring four goals against [eight-time Champions League winners] Lyon in the second leg is not easy at all," the back-to-back Ballon d'Or winner told ESPN. "I congratulate them for that because I think it was a big surprise, but a well-deserved one."
On Saturday, the pair will square off for the first time since 2021, when Barcelona defeated Arsenal twice in Champions League group-stage play.
"It's going to be a tough game — it's a final," said Barcelona defender Caroline Graham Hansen. "You just have to be prepared to leave your heart and soul out there and see who the better team on the day will be."
How to watch the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League final
Arsenal and Barcelona will battle for European glory at 12 PM ET on Saturday, with the Champions League grand finale streaming live on DAZN.
Global soccer's biggest awards ceremony is making changes, with UEFA announcing Monday that the Ballon d'Or is adding three new women's categories and shifting its dates in order to better accommodate the FIFA women's calendar.
Traditionally held in late October to accommodate the men's calendar, the Paris event historically conflicts with the women's international window, impeding nominees from attending what is arguably the sport's biggest night.
Heavy criticism of that schedule prompted owners UEFA and France Football magazine to move the upcoming 69th edition of the awards ceremony to September 22nd, 2025.
"I mean, it'd be like running an Oscars or a Golden Globes, without having any females present," USWNT head coach Emma Hayes said of the event last year, shortly before earning the first-ever women's coach of the year award. "It just wouldn't happen. And I think that all too often it's an afterthought, to be honest with you."
In addition to addressing scheduling concerns, the 2025 women's ballot will also expand to include Best Young Player, Best Goalkeeper, and Top Scorer for Club or Country — categories previously limited to the men's side.
The Ballon d'Or began honoring women's soccer athletes in 2018, with a combined four of the six total Best Player awards going to Spanish nationals Alexia Putellas (2021, 2022) and Aitana Bonmatí (2023, 2024).
The only other recipients of the award are USWNT star Megan Rapinoe (2019) and Norway's Ada Hegerberg (2018).
This year's nominees will be announced in August.
After completing a perfect 2023/24 season with Barcelona FC, Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmatí won her second-straight Ballon d’Or award on Monday.
"I always say this is not something that you can do alone," the 26-year-old said, crediting her teammates in her acceptance speech. "I'm so lucky to be surrounded by wonderful players who help me to keep growing into a better player."
Only one other women's footballer has won the award twice: Bonmatí's teammate for club and country, Alexia Putellas, who clocked in 10th in this year's final tally. The two now hold a combined four-year streak in winning soccer's top honor.
The only other recipients in the award's six-year history are USWNT star Megan Rapinoe and Norway's Ada Hegerberg.
It's Barcelona or bust at Ballon d'Or
Barcelona’s 2024 triumphs — winning a historic quadruple of Liga F, Champions League, Supercopa, and Copa de la Reina titles — earned the team Club of the Year honors last night.
That success was mirrored on the individual level, as well. Barça players owned the award's Top 3 spots, with forwards Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo just behind Bonmatí in the final vote.
Olympic gold earns USWNT stalwarts votes
Of the five USWNT players on the Ballon d'Or's 30-athlete shortlist, four landed in the Top 10, buoyed by their gold medal performance at the 2024 Paris Games. USWNT captain Lindsey Horan finished at No. 5 alongside the "Triple Espresso" strike squad of No. 4 Sophia Smith, No. 6 Mal Swanson, and No. 9 Trinity Rodman.
The lone goalkeeper on the list, USWNT star Alyssa Naeher, came in at No. 17. The Ballon d'Or does not include a separate individual award for women's football's top goalkeeper.
Meanwhile, USWNT boss Emma Hayes brought home historic hardware of her own.
After leading Chelsea FC to a fifth-straight WSL title before winning Olympic gold with the USWNT, Hayes received the first-ever Women’s Coach of the Year award last night.
"I just want to say a big thank you to all the staff and players from both teams," Hayes said after receiving the inaugural honor.
"Football is a team game and I’m very grateful to have led some amazing teams this year, so this award is for everyone who has been a part of the US team and Chelsea."
Hermoso's advocacy honored
Former Barcelona forward and Spanish national Jenni Hermoso — who now plays for Tigres in Mexico's Liga MX — became the third person and first woman to win the humanitarian Socrates Award in last night's ceremony.
The award recognizes Hermoso's efforts advocating for the advancement of the women's game, equality at all levels of soccer, and her fight against sexual harassment in sports ignited by the nonconsensual kiss from ex-Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales during the 2023 World Cup trophy ceremony.
"Women's football deserves a place for new and future generations," the 34-year-old urged in her speech before imploring further action from the global soccer community.
"I'd like to ask all of you to get together and work together in order to make a better world possible and to make football become what little girls deserve for the future."
Ballon d'Or ceremony spurs conversation about persisting inequities
While the Ballon d'Or has made strides by instituting a women's football award in 2018, the ceremony continues to be fall during a FIFA women's international window. The scheduling makes it near-impossible for many women's football nominees to attend what is arguably the sport's biggest night.
Last night, only a handful of European-based players were able to make the Paris event.
Even more, the Ballon d'Or ballot only honors one individual woman footballer, while the men's night bestows three additional trophies: the Yashin for best goalkeeper, the Gerd Müller for top goalscorer, and the Kopa for best U-21 player. Plus, while 100 journalists vote for the final men's tally, only 50 are tapped to weigh in on the women's award.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or shortlist dropped yesterday, and while reigning winner Aitana Bonmatí as well as five USWNT athletes made the cut, defender Naomi Girma — considered by many to be the best center back in the world — was shockingly left off the 30-player list.
Seattle Reign head coach Laura Harvey was one of several notable figures to call out the snub, posting on X, “The ballon d’or is recognition of what? Is it domestic performances? Is it national team performances? Is it champions league performances? Because on the womens side how Naomi Girma isn’t nominated makes the whole thing hilarious.”
Girma's resume puts her squarely among the best
The 2022 NWSL Draft No. 1 pick has already racked up a full career's worth of accolades.
In her first professional season, Girma earned Rookie of the Year, Defender of the Year, and NWSL Best XI honors. She also helped her club, the San Diego Wave, win the 2023 NWSL Shield and 2024 NWSL Challenge Cup.
In 2023, Girma became the first defender ever named US Soccer’s Player of the Year. This summer, the 24 year old led the USWNT to Olympic gold as the only field athlete to play every single second of the 2024 Paris Games.
USWNT boss Emma Hayes called Girma “the best defender [she's] ever seen” during the Olympics, saying, “she's got everything: poise, composure, she can defend, she anticipates, she leads. [She's] unbelievable."
Ballon d'Or has a history of skipping over defenders
Awarded by French magazine France Football, the Ballon d’Or has long been criticized for heavily favoring athletes who play in Europe, and those who serve in an attacking capacity. Of the 30 2024 nominees, only seven play for clubs outside of Europe — six of them in the NWSL. Just four defenders — plus one goalkeeper, USWNT star Alyssa Naeher — made this year's cut.
In the award’s five-year history, only one defender has ever cracked the top three: England’s Lucy Bronze, who came in second to the USWNT’s Megan Rapinoe in 2019.
Ultimately, defense may win championships — but it has yet to win the Ballon d’Or.