MADRID – The world of women’s soccer is witnessing a significant transition as Alexia Putellas, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner, bids farewell to FC Barcelona after an impressive 14-year tenure. This departure marks the end of an era for the Catalan club and highlights Putellas’ pivotal role in the growth of women’s soccer both in Spain and globally.
Barcelona announced on Tuesday that Putellas will officially say goodbye at a ceremony held at Camp Nou stadium, providing a platform for the club to honor her remarkable legacy. “She has become a role model on and off the field and has helped women’s football to grow across the globe,” the club stated in a press release.
At 32 years old, Putellas recently celebrated her team’s victory in the Champions League, marking the fourth title in six seasons for Barcelona. However, her next career move remains uncertain, with speculation hinting at a potential transfer to the rapidly developing London City Lionesses, a club she visited in January.
Throughout her career, Putellas has made a significant impact on Barcelona, playing 507 matches—making her second on the club’s all-time appearance list—after joining from Levante at the age of 18. She has netted an impressive 232 goals, a club record, and accumulated 38 trophies, including four Champions League titles and ten Spanish league championships.
In a heartfelt message shared on her social media platforms, Putellas reflected on her journey, stating, “The time has come to acknowledge that I’ve given everything for these colors. It’s been a perfect story.” Her contributions were instrumental in Barcelona’s first Champions League win in 2021, and her accolades, including consecutive Ballon d’Or awards in 2021 and 2022, have been pivotal in elevating women’s soccer in Spain to a global stage.
Putellas played a crucial role in the Spanish national team’s triumph at the 2023 World Cup, which was marred by controversy involving the then president of the Spanish soccer federation. She took a stand during the crisis, leading a player revolt that ultimately resulted in significant changes within the federation.
“We’ve taken the women’s team further than we ever imagined,” Putellas said, emphasizing her pride in being part of the transformative journey of women’s soccer in Spain. “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 facing serious leg injuries that threatened her career, Putellas returned to the pitch and initially considered leaving Barcelona due to limited playing time. However, she ultimately chose to extend her contract with the club, solidifying her commitment and love for the team.
As Putellas prepares for her farewell, the soccer community reflects on her unmatched contributions and the indelible mark she has left on the sport.
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