Alexia Putellas has announced that she is leaving Barcelona this summer, after 14 successful years at the Catalan club.
Just days after lifting her fourth UEFA Women’s Champions League title, the 32-year-old has confirmed that Wednesday’s Liga F match against Real Sociedad at the Estadi Johan Cruyff will be her last as a Barça player.
Putellas, who rose through Barcelona’s youth academy before short stints at Espanyol and Levante, returned to the club as an 18-year-old and has spent the last 14 years with the blaugrana.
In her 507 games with Barcelona, Putellas has netted 232 goals and registered 230 assists. She sits behind only Lionel Messi (672) as the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.
In a video released on Instagram, the midfielder explained: “After all of this, the moment has come to admit that I’ve given everything for these colours, with daily discipline and an obsession in pursuit of constant improvement for 14 years.
“I’ve always said that this shirt can’t be defended in half measures, and I recognise that I’ve drained myself.”
Putellas “didn’t want to become an obstacle” at Barça
As reported by Maria Tikas in SPORT, calling time on her Barcelona career was Putellas’ own decision.
The 32-year-old is understood to have been offered a mammoth contract by Paris Saint-Germain last summer, with the French side also willing to pay a transfer fee for the two-time Ballon d’Or winner – but she opted to stay in Catalunya for the 2025/26 campaign.
Putellas’ contract at Barcelona includes a clause that would allow either party to extend the deal by a year, although it was agreed last summer that the club would not prohibit the midfielder from leaving if she felt it was the right time.
And as Tikas explains, Putellas was keen to ensure that she “does not become an obstacle” that slows the development of youngsters emerging from Barcelona’s esteemed La Masia academy.
With Aitana Bonmatí also having won the Ballon d’Or twice and Patri Guijarro consistently heralded as one of the world’s best, Barcelona’s midfield is in safe hands.
It looks to be in good shape for the future, too, with 18-year-old Clara Serrajordi afforded a start in Saturday’s UEFA Women’s Champions League final victory after impressing for Pere Romeu’s side throughout the season and a constant conveyer belt of talent from La Masia ready to seize any opportunities they are given.
Putellas explained in her farewell video that “the future of the team belongs to you, and it will be your turn to make history at the best club in the world”.
Could Putellas be heading to London City Lionesses?
London City Lionesses are widely seen as the frontrunners to sign the 32-year-old midfielder, despite having only just completed their first season in the English top flight.
Backed by billionaire Michele Kang, London City have managed to attract high-profile talent to Bromley in recent transfer windows – including ex-Barça defender Jana Fernàndez, who could play a crucial role in bringing Putellas to the capital.
Speaking at a WePlayStrong event ahead of Saturday’s UEFA Women’s Champions League final, Fernàndez told BBC Sport: “If she ever wants to join the WSL, and I’m there, then it’s going to be amazing.
“She’s a good friend of mine. I don’t know anything about what is going to happen like anybody else. Having a player like Alexia on your team – I’ve lived it – it’s one of the best things ever. She’s somebody you want to have in your team, always.”
But a move to London City, who finished sixth in their debut Barclays Women’s Super League campaign, would mark a significant drop for two-time Ballon d’Or winner Putellas, who has just won her fourth UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy with Barcelona.
That win came against OL Lyonnes, another club owned by Kang and currently managed by former Barça boss Jonatan Giráldez.