Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas is set to bring an end to her historic association with FC Barcelona Femení after spending 14 remarkable seasons at the club, marking the close of one of the most influential chapters in women’s football.
Barcelona announced on Tuesday that Putellas will officially bid farewell during a special ceremony at the iconic Camp Nou on Wednesday. The club described the event as an opportunity to honour a player whose contribution transcended football and helped elevate the women’s game in Spain and across the world.
The 32-year-old midfielder departs shortly after helping Barcelona clinch the UEFA Women's Champions League title for the fourth time in six seasons on Saturday, further cementing her legacy as one of the greatest players in the club’s history.
Barcelona praised Putellas as a role model both on and off the field, acknowledging her central role in the global growth and recognition of women’s football over the past decade. There has been no official confirmation regarding her next destination, though Spanish media reports have linked her with a possible move to London City Lionesses, one of the rapidly rising clubs in English women’s football. Speculation intensified after Putellas attended a Lionesses match in London earlier this year.
Putellas joined Barcelona in 2012 from Levante UD Femenino at the age of 18 and went on to become one of the defining figures of the club. During her time in Catalonia, she made 507 appearances — the second-highest in the club’s history — and scored a record 232 goals.
Her extraordinary trophy haul includes 38 titles, among them four Women’s Champions League crowns and 10 Spanish league championships, making her one of the most decorated footballers in the history of the women’s game.
In an emotional video shared on social media, Putellas reflected on her journey with the club. “The time has come to acknowledge that I've given everything for these colors,” she said. “It’s been a perfect story.”
Putellas was widely regarded as Barcelona’s standout player during its breakthrough Champions League triumph in 2021, a victory that helped establish the club as a dominant force in European women’s football. Her back-to-back Ballon d'Or victories in 2021 and 2022 elevated her global profile and played a major role in bringing Spanish women’s football into the international spotlight.
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Her influence extended beyond club football. Many observers credited her leadership and popularity as key factors in the growth of the sport in Spain, culminating in the country’s triumph at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
Putellas also emerged as a leading voice during one of the biggest crises in Spanish football following the controversy involving former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales, who kissed a player without consent during the World Cup medal ceremony. Putellas was among the prominent figures who led the players’ protest movement, which ultimately contributed to Rubiales’ resignation.
“We've taken the women’s team further than we ever imagined,” Putellas said. “At the beginning, being a soccer player wasn’t even recognized as a profession. Now I feel privileged to have been part of this change.”
Despite her glittering success, Putellas’ career also faced significant setbacks due to serious knee injuries that sidelined her for long periods and raised doubts about her future at both club and international level. Following her recovery, reports suggested she was considering leaving Barcelona because of reduced playing time, though she eventually signed a contract extension before deciding to depart this year.
Her exit marks the end of an era for Barcelona and women’s football, with Putellas leaving behind a legacy defined not only by trophies and records, but also by her role in transforming the visibility and status of the women’s game worldwide.
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