Alexia Putellas Wins Third Ballon d'Or in London Wearing Dior

Alexia Putellas secured her third Ballon d'Or award at the gala held at the London Palladium, succeeding Aitana Bonmatí as the most prominent female player of the season. The event marked a historic shift, being celebrated outside Paris for the first time to honor Sir Stanley Matthews, the inaugural winner in 1956.

The Look

Putellas wore a custom-made maroon ivory silk satin gown by Jonathan Anderson for Dior. The design was explicitly inspired by Niké, the Greek goddess of victory, reflecting her athletic trajectory. Key features included:

• A draped cross-front bodice with bare shoulders, evoking classical sculptures.
• A pronounced skirt slit adorned with a cascade of feathers made from organza, tulle, and satin, symbolizing wings.
• Accessories from Boucheron’s Plume de Paon collection, featuring white gold, pearls, and diamonds.

Stylist Alba Melendo orchestrated the look, which also featured loose waves and natural makeup. This choice marked a departure from her previous wins in 2021 and 2022, where she wore Spanish designers Claro Couture and Jesús Peiró.

Context and Reaction

The win caps an impressive cycle at FC Barcelona before her move to Chelsea (referred to variously as London City Lionesses or Chelsea). Sources highlight the symbolic weight of the Greek mythology theme, connecting her intelligence and determination to Atenea Niké. While ABC notes the venue change, Infobae and La Vanguardia emphasize the aesthetic homage to victory, describing Putellas as a "contemporary goddess" luminous and serene. El Confidencial details the technical construction of the feathered tail, noting how it balances close-up portraiture with full-body impact.

Source: ABC reports on the venue change to London. Source: La Vanguardia analyzes the mythological inspiration. Source: El Confidencial provides technical fashion details.