After 14 seasons of transformative leadership and unprecedented success that reshaped women’s soccer on both domestic and global stages, two-time consecutive Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas is preparing to depart FC Barcelona, the Catalan giants confirmed this week. The club announced Tuesday that the 32-year-old icon will formally say goodbye to fans and teammates during a ceremonial event at Camp Nou on Wednesday, an occasion organized to honor the extraordinary legacy of a player who has become a global role model both on and off the pitch.
Putellas’ exit comes just days after she helped Barcelona secure their fourth UEFA Women’s Champions League crown in just six seasons, capping her final campaign with the club with one more major trophy. Since joining Barcelona from Levante back in 2011 at the age of 18, Putellas has built an unmatched record with the club: she has featured in 507 senior matches, the second-highest total in the club’s all-time history, and netted 232 goals — a mark that stands as a new club record for any player, male or female. Over her 14 years in Barcelona’s blue and garnet stripes, Putellas lifted 38 major trophies, including 10 Spanish domestic league titles and the four continental crowns.
In a heartfelt video message shared across her personal social media channels, Putellas reflected on her time with the club, saying, “The time has come to acknowledge that I’ve given everything for these colors. It’s been a perfect story.”
Putellas’ legacy extends far beyond the trophy case and record books. She was the talismanic leader of Barcelona’s first-ever Champions League winning side in 2021, a breakthrough triumph that cemented Spanish women’s soccer as a global powerhouse. Her back-to-back Ballon d’Or wins in 2021 and 2022 brought unprecedented mainstream attention to the women’s game, with many analysts crediting her influence as a key factor behind Spain’s 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup victory.
Off the pitch, Putellas has stood at the forefront of cultural change for women’s soccer in Spain. When the Spanish football federation was plunged into crisis following former president Luis Rubiales’ unwanted non-consensual kiss of player Jenni Hermoso during the 2023 World Cup trophy ceremony, Putellas stepped forward as one of the leading voices of the player rebellion that ultimately forced Rubiales to resign. Reflecting on the progress of the sport over her career, Putellas noted, “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.”
Her career has not been without adversity: a serious leg injury sidelined her for months at the peak of her powers, casting doubt over her future at the top level. After her return, limited minutes sparked widespread rumors of an early exit, but Putellas ultimately committed to a contract extension to see out her final chapter with the club she called home for nearly 15 years.
As of yet, Putellas has not confirmed her next professional move, but speculation across Spanish soccer circles has linked her to a potential move to the London City Lionesses, a rapidly rising club in England’s second tier. Putellas was spotted attending a Lionesses match in London back in January, fueling ongoing rumors about her next step.
Women’s soccer star Alexia Putellas leaves Barcelona after 14 seasons
