Alexia Putellas wins third Ballon d'Or: Why her success is great for the WSL

Alexia Putellas has cemented her legacy as one of football's all-time greats by winning a record-equalling third women's Ballon d'Or. The London City Lionesses star now stands level with Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff, and Marco van Basten in the pantheon of three-time winners. Her achievement is a landmark moment not just for her personally, but for the Women's Super League, where she plies her trade. It signals that the WSL can attract and nurture the world's very best talent, raising the profile of the competition on a global scale. Putellas's triumph underscores the growing prestige of women's football in England and will likely draw more fans, sponsors, and elite players to the league. Her success is a powerful statement that the WSL is now a destination for icons of the game, not just a stepping stone. Expect the Putellas effect to ripple through the league for years to come.