Home LIGA F WSL End of an Era: Alexia Putellas to Exit Barcelona This Summer

End of an Era: Alexia Putellas to Exit Barcelona This Summer

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Alexia Putellas
Putellas confirms Barcelona departure 

The 32-year-old midfielder ends her Barca career this summer. She remains a Ballon d’Or contender after leading Barca through Bonmati’s injury absence.


Putellas will play her final home game vs Real Sociedad on Wednesday. Spanish media link the midfielder with London City Lionesses and Michele Kang’s group...


Alexia Putellas, the two-time Ballon d’Or winner, will depart Barcelona when her contract expires this summer. The midfielder said Tuesday that the move brings a “perfect story” to a close.


Barcelona confirmed the news in a statement, saying: “The eternal captain will close the curtain on her career as a Barca player after 14 years with the first team.”


At 32, the two-time Ballon d’Or winner helped Barcelona secure a fourth Champions League title on Saturday. They defeated Lyon in Oslo to complete a quadruple.


“I've always said that you can't defend this shirt (only) halfway, and I understand that I have given everything I have,” said Putellas in a video on Instagram.


“I said I wanted the final moment to come when I was at my best, giving everything and with 100 percent energy.


“That's it, now it's time. It has been a perfect story.”


Spanish media report that Putellas is being linked with London City Lionesses and other clubs. London City Lionesses are owned by Lyon owner Michele Kang.


She will play her last home game for Barcelona against Real Sociedad on Wednesday in Liga F.


“Fourteen seasons and more than 500 matches, with moments that will remain forever in Barca's memory and in my heart,” continued Putellas.


“I have been, and will always be, just another cule (Barca fan), like you. That's why I don't want this to be a sad moment. This is just a chapter that ends.


“But luckily, I was born a cule and I will die a cule. So we'll see each other again.“


The 2023 World Cup winner is in contention for another Ballon d’Or this year. Her strong performances helped Barcelona cope after Aitana Bonmati broke her leg in December and missed time.


Putellas began her career at Espanyol before joining Levante in 2011. She moved to Barcelona a year later in 2012.


Putellas has won Liga F 10 times and the Champions League four times. She played a key role in Barcelona’s dominance in Spain and across Europe.
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“(At six years old) I only saw men playing in the stadium and it would never have occurred to me that one day, in that very same place, more than 90,000 cules would be shouting my name,” added Putellas.


“We have taken the women's team further than we ever could have imagined.


“At the beginning, being a footballer wasn't even recognised as a profession. And now I feel only the privilege of having been part of this change.”




A number of Barcelona players are out of contract this summer, and their futures have not been confirmed yet.


Defenders Mapi Leon, Ona Batlle, and Marta Torrejon are expected to depart. Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo could sign new deals, and the same goes for coach Pere Romeu.






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