Alexia Putellas Leaves Barcelona After 14 Years, Ending Contract At Season’s End

Alexia Putellas will leave Barcelona at the end of the season after the expiration of her contract, with the club confirming the exit after her 14-year stint as captain.

“Women's soccer star Alexia Putellas leaves Barcelona after 14 seasons Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas is leaving Barcelona after 14 seasons MADRID -- Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, who has helped women's soccer grow in Spain and worldwide, is leaving Barcelona after 14 seasons”

ABC News

The 32-year-old, born in Mollet del Vallès, spent 14 years at the Catalan club making 507 appearances and scoring a record 233 goals after joining from Levante in 2012 aged 18, according to The Guardian.

ABC News

Putellas helped Barcelona to a fourth Champions League title with an emphatic 4-0 win over OL Lyonnes, and she also collected 10 league titles, 10 Copa de la Reina titles, and seven Copa Catalunya titles during her time at Barcelona.

On the international stage, she became the first Spanish player to win the women’s Ballon d’Or in 2021 and retained her crown the following year, and she won a first World Cup title for Spain in Australia in 2023 with Spain beating England 1-0 in the final.

Barcelona said Putellas will officially bid farewell at an event at Camp Nou stadium on Wednesday, giving the club a “chance to recognize the legacy created by a player who has become a role model on and off the field.”

Putellas’s departure has intensified speculation about a move to the Women’s Super League, with London City Lionesses described as holding strong interest and having made no secret of their desire to bring her to London.

The BBC reported that sources close to London City Lionesses say there is confidence they can strike a deal to bring Putellas to the club this summer, with discussions having been ongoing for several months.

Barca Universal

In a video posted on her social media accounts, Putellas said, “The time has come to acknowledge that I've given everything for these colours,” and she added, “It's been a perfect story.”

The Independent framed the potential switch as a major step for London City, noting Putellas was set for her 508th and final appearance for Barcelona on Wednesday against Real Sociedad and describing it as “the biggest transfer in WSL history.”

Sky Sports said London City have held “positive talks” with Putellas for months and that they have offered a contract greater than Barcelona, while ESPN reported Putellas has not revealed her next club and that sources told ESPN she has interest from Europe, the United States and Mexico.

With Putellas’s contract expiring at the end of the season, Barcelona’s farewell is also tied to a broader summer of change, as multiple sources describe other players whose deals are ending or set to be decided.

“- Published Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas has announced she is leaving Barcelona after 14 years, with London City Lionesses in pursuit”

BBC

The Guardian said Putellas’s exit marks the end of an era for Barcelona, with León, Marta Torrejón, Salma Paralluelo and Caroline Graham Hansen all also out of contract in the summer and only the latter two expected to renew.

ESPN reported that defenders Mapi León and Ona Batlle are set to join London City and Arsenal, respectively, when their deals expire next month, while veteran Marta Torrejón is also likely to exit and wingers Caroline Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo must agree new deals if they wish to stay.

For London City, the BBC said the club’s ambitions include breaking into the WSL's top three and qualifying for the Champions League, and it linked the pursuit of Putellas to billionaire owner Michele Kang, who also owns Lyon.

Putellas’s final Barcelona match is set for Wednesday’s Liga F game against Real Sociedad, which she confirmed will be her last for the club, and she said on Instagram, “I said I wanted the final moment to come when I was at my best, giving everything and with 100 percent energy.”