End of an Era: Two-Time Ballon d’Or Winner Alexia Putellas Departs Barcelona After 14 Trophy-Laden Years
Alexia Putellas, the two-time Ballon d'Or winner and Barcelona's most decorated footballer, announced she will leave the club this summer after 14 seasons, closing a chapter that saw her win 38 trophies and transform the women's game.
A trophy-laden career
Alexia Putellas leaves Barcelona as the most successful player in the club's history, man or woman. Her 38 trophies surpass even Lionel Messi's 35, achieved over 17 seasons. Since rejoining from Levante in 2012, she amassed 10 Liga titles, 11 Copas de la Reina, 6 Spanish Super Cups, and 4 Champions Leagues. Her individual honors include back-to-back Ballon d'Or Féminin awards in 2021 and 2022, cementing her legacy as one of the greatest ever.
- Joined Barcelona academy at age 11
- Returned to Barcelona from Levante
- Won first Champions League title with Barcelona
- Won first Ballon d'Or Féminin
- Won second consecutive Ballon d'Or
- Won the World Cup with Spain
- Captained Barça to fourth Champions League win, beating Lyon 4-0
- Announced departure from Barcelona
The farewell announcement
Putellas broke the news in an emotional video on social media, calling her time at Barça "a perfect story." She reflected on the journey from the early days when women's football was barely professional. "We have taken the women's team further than we ever dared to dream," she said. "At the beginning, being a footballer wasn't even recognized as a profession. Now I only feel the privilege of having been part of this change."
It was a beautiful and unique transformation.
Her final home appearance comes on Wednesday against Real Sociedad, with a last match away to Madrid CFF on Sunday. She departs having played 512 matches and scored 234 goals for the club.
What lies ahead
Putellas, whose contract expires this summer, has not revealed her next destination. BBC sources say London City Lionesses, sixth in their debut Women's Super League season, are confident of striking a deal. The New York Times reports she is also exploring options in the NWSL, drawn by a new rule allowing high-impact players to earn up to $1 million above the salary cap. Any move would mark the first time she plays outside Spain since her youth.
Legacy of transformation
Beyond the silverware, Putellas is hailed as the catalyst who propelled Barcelona from amateur status to global powerhouse. When she arrived in 2012, the team was an afterthought; she leaves it as four-time European champion and standard-bearer for women's football. Her influence extended to the national team, winning the 2023 World Cup. As BBC notes, she "leaves Barcelona as a legend" and closes a defining era under coach Pere Romeu.
