Putellas Wins Third Ballon d'Or; Russo Named Among World's Best
Spanish footballer Alexia Putellas has won the Ballon d'Or Féminin for the third time.
This result equals the record for the most wins of this award by a woman.
The Ballon d'Or is one of football's most important individual prizes.
It is given each year to the player judged the best in the world.
English forward Alessia Russo was also mentioned in the news this year.
Russo was named among the elite group of top players worldwide.
She did not win the overall prize, but her place on the list is seen as a big achievement.
Russo has Sicilian family roots, which has made Italian media take special interest in her success.
Sicily is a large island in southern Italy.
The story shows how football connects different countries and communities.
Many fans and local media in Sicily are proud of Russo's achievement.
Putellas has long been seen as one of the top players in women's football.
Her consistency over several seasons has helped her win the award multiple times.
Consistency means performing well again and again, not just one time.
The Ballon d'Or ceremony brings together top players, coaches, and fans from around the world.
This year's event highlighted both established stars and rising talents in the women's game.
Vocabulary5 words
- Ballon d'Or Féminin
- a yearly prize for the best woman football player
- record
- the highest number ever reached by anyone
- elite
- a small group of the very best people
- Sicilian
- coming from or connected to Sicily, an island in Italy
- consistency
- doing something well many times, not just once
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Quiz
Answer key
1. Most Ballon d'Or Féminin wins 2. She has Sicilian family roots 3. False
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Spanish footballer Alexia Putellas has won the _____ for the third time.
This result equals the _____ for the most wins of this award by a woman.
The Ballon d'Or is one of football's most important individual _____.
English forward Alessia Russo was also mentioned in the _____ this year.
Russo was named among the _____ group of top players worldwide.
Russo has _____ family roots, which has made Italian media take special interest in her success.
Sicily is a large _____ in southern Italy.
Putellas has long been seen as one of the top players in women's _____.
Her _____ over several seasons has helped her win the award multiple times.
The Ballon d'Or _____ brings together top players, coaches, and fans from around the world.
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