Alexia Putellas has been named the top-ranked player in the 2025/26 edition of “Los 100 de MARCA,” the annual football ranking published by the Spanish sports outlet MARCA. The midfielder secured the first-place position with 458 points, finishing ahead of her former Barcelona teammates Patri Guijarro, who received 422 points, and Ewa Pajor, who earned 298 points.

Journalists Vote Putellas as Top Player

The ranking was determined by a jury of 40 specialized journalists, including staff from the MARCA media group as well as national and international contributors. Putellas was the only player to receive at least one vote from every member of the jury. She appeared in the top spot on 18 of the 40 submitted ballots, the highest frequency of any player in the rankings.

Performance During the 2025/26 Season

The voting criteria focused on the 2025/26 campaign, a season in which Barcelona achieved a domestic and European sweep, winning the Liga, the Copa de la Reina, the Supercopa de España, and the UEFA Champions League. On the international stage, Putellas helped lead Spain to victory in the UEFA Nations League and secured qualification for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Putellas finished her 14-year tenure at Barcelona as a central figure in the team’s success. As the Champions League MVP for the season, she recorded seven goals and seven assists in the tournament. Her domestic performance included nine goals and seven assists in league play.

Other Spanish Players in the Rankings

Several other Spanish players appeared in the top tier of the 2025/26 list. Claudia Pina ranked seventh, followed by Mariona Caldentey in twelfth, Cata Coll in fourteenth, and Mapi León in twenty-third. Conversely, Melvine Malard, Momoko Tanikawa, and Tessa Wullaert were among the nominees who did not receive any votes from the jury.

How Did the Points Gap Between Players Compare?

How did the points gap between the top three players compare?
Putellas finished 36 points ahead of second-place Patri Guijarro and 160 points ahead of third-place Ewa Pajor.

What is the next major international tournament for the players involved?
Following their successful qualification, the Spanish national team is set to compete in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will be held in Brazil during the summer of 2026.

What was the criteria for the selection?
The rankings are based on professional performance during the 2025/26 season, specifically evaluating contributions to club success in domestic and European competitions as well as performance at the national team level.