Alexia Putellas Brings Legendary 14-Year Barcelona Career to an End After Fourth Champions League Triumph

Barcelona legend Alexia Putellas has officially announced her departure from the club after an extraordinary 14-year spell that helped transform both Barcelona and women’s football on the global stage.

The two-time Ballon d’Or winner leaves the Catalan giants as one of the most influential players in the history of the women’s game, having just helped Barcelona secure their fourth UEFA Women’s Champions League title in six seasons.

Barcelona confirmed that Putellas will formally say goodbye during a special farewell event at Camp Nou later this week, giving supporters the opportunity to honour a player whose impact stretched far beyond the pitch.

In a statement, the club described Putellas as “a role model on and off the field” who played a major role in helping women’s football grow worldwide.

A Historic Barcelona Career

Putellas joined Barcelona from Levante in 2012 at the age of 18 and went on to become one of the greatest players ever to represent the club.

Across 14 remarkable seasons, she made 507 appearances for Barcelona — the second-highest total in the club’s history — while scoring a record-breaking 232 goals.

Her trophy collection is equally extraordinary.

Putellas leaves Barcelona having won 38 major honours, including four Champions League titles and 10 Liga F championships, cementing her place among the most decorated footballers in the history of the sport.

“The time has come to acknowledge that I’ve given everything for these colours,” Putellas said in an emotional video shared on social media.

“It has been a perfect story.”

A Global Icon of Women’s Football

Putellas’ influence extended far beyond Barcelona.

She became one of the defining faces of modern women’s football after inspiring Barcelona to their first Women’s Champions League triumph in 2021 before winning back-to-back Ballon d’Or awards in 2021 and 2022.

Her success played a major role in elevating the profile of women’s football in Spain and internationally.

Putellas was also a central figure in Spain’s historic 2023 Women’s World Cup triumph, helping lead the national team during one of the most important periods in the country’s football history.

Off the pitch, she became an equally powerful voice for change.

Following the controversy involving former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales during the 2023 World Cup celebrations, Putellas emerged as one of the leading figures behind the player-led movement that ultimately resulted in his resignation.

“We’ve taken the women’s team further than we ever imagined,” Putellas said.

“At the beginning, being a footballer was not even recognised as a profession. Now I feel privileged to have been part of this change.”

Injury Battles and Uncertain Future

Despite her legendary status, recent years have also brought major challenges for Putellas.

Serious leg injuries sidelined her for lengthy periods and at one stage raised doubts over whether she would ever fully regain her previous level.

Following her return, reports suggested the midfielder had considered leaving Barcelona due to reduced playing time before eventually agreeing to extend her contract.

Now, however, the chapter officially comes to an end.

There has not yet been confirmation regarding Putellas’ next destination, although reports in Spain continue to link her with a possible move to London City Lionesses, one of the fastest-rising clubs in women’s football.

Speculation intensified after Putellas attended one of the club’s matches in London earlier this year.

Wherever she chooses to continue her career, her legacy at Barcelona — and within women’s football itself — is already secure.

Few players have changed the game quite like Alexia Putellas.