Aitana Bonmati has won each of the last three Ballons d'Or Feminin - but the accolade will go to someone else in 2026. Will it be two-time winner and fellow Barcelona star Alexia Putellas who reasserts herself as the best player in the women's game? Or could there be a new name on the honour roll when the Golden Ball is handed out in Paris in October?
Barcelona Femeni have reaffirmed their absolute supremacy in Spanish football by clinching their seventh consecutive Liga F title. A commanding 4-1 victory over city rivals Espanyol on Wednesday moved the Catalan giants into an unassailable 16-point lead at the summit, marking the club's 11th domestic league crown during a historic era of dominance.
Barcelona are reportedly 'close' to losing star defender Ona Batlle to Arsenal on a free transfer, with speculation surrounding the futures of two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas and key centre-back Mapi Leon also growing as the pair near the ends of their current contracts in Catalunya. London City Lionesses have shown interest in both, as the newly-promoted Women's Super League side look to make a splash in the summer transfer window.
Barcelona have been handed a huge boost in their chase for the quadruple with the news that Aitana Bonmati has returned to training. The three-time Ballon d'Or winner has been sidelined since late November after suffering a leg fracture that required surgery but she is back with the team now, just days before Barca's Champions League semi-final showdown with Bayern Munich.
Barcelona Femeni have taken a monumental step towards securing their seventh consecutive Liga F crown following a dominant 3-0 victory over eternal rivals Real Madrid. Goals from Ona Batlle and Alexia Putellas, alongside an unfortunate own goal, highlighted a totally one-sided Clasico that leaves the Catalan giants sitting comfortably at the summit of the league table.
Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas is demanding clear sporting guarantees from Barcelona before committing to a new contract. With just three months left on her current deal, the 32-year-old midfielder is evaluating highly lucrative foreign offers. However, her priority remains staying with the Catalan club, provided it presents a compelling, winning project for the future.
Columbus Crew, Cruz Azul, Leon, and Inter Miami are the most successful sides in the Leagues Cup, having won one title each.
How many teams are in the Leagues Cup?
As of 2024, there are 45 teams in the Leagues Cup, from both the MLS and the Liga MX. They are divided into 15 groups of three teams each. The inaugural edition in 2019, in contrast, featured just 16 teams.
Who has made the most Leagues Cup appearances ever?
Andre Blake, Jack Elliott, Jacob Glesnes, Kai Wagner, and Mikael Uhre – all of them players of Philadelphia Union – share the record for most appearances in Leagues Cup, making 14 appearances each.
Who is the all-time top scorer of the Leagues Cup?
Gabonese forward Denis Bouanga is the all-time topscorer in Leagues Cup history, scoring 12 goals in 10 games for Los Angeles FC. Lionel Messi is close in second place with 10 goals.
Who is the oldest player ever in the Leagues Cup and how old was he?
Tijuana goalkeeper Jesus Corona is the oldest player to ever feature in a Leagues Cup game. Corona was 43 years and 191 days old when he played against Vancouver Whitecaps in August 2024.
Who is the youngest player ever in the Leagues Cup and how old was he?
Axel Kei is the youngest player to feature in Leagues Cup. Kei was just 14 years and 267 days when he achieved the feat during Real Salt Lake City's 2-1 loss against Atlas Guadalajara in 2022.
Which famous players have played in the Leagues Cup?
Lionel Messi, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Andre-Pierre Gignac, and Hector Herrera are among the most famous players to have featured in the Leagues Cup.
Which famous managers have managed in the Leagues Cup?
Caleb Porter, Tata Martino, Phil Neville, Martin Demichelis, and Fernando Gago are among the most famous managers in Leagues Cup history.