The story begins at Camp Nou, long before 91,553 fans chanted her name in awe. A six-year-old girl entered the stadium with her father, her eyes fixed on the blaugrana stripes. She never let go of the ball, and her parents recognized her love for the sport, enrolling her in training. At 11, she joined La Masia, the youth academy of FC Barcelona.
The Rise of a Star
In 2012, a month after her father's death, Alexia Putellas returned to Barcelona after stints at Espanyol and Levante. She was a star signing for a women's team that lacked a dedicated training pitch. The 18-year-old took the team on her shoulders.
A Historic Night at Camp Nou
A decade later, she bowed before a record crowd of 91,553 at Camp Nou, the largest stadium in Europe, after scoring against Real Madrid in the UEFA Women's Champions League quarter-finals. The crowd chanted "Alexia, Alexia, Alexia." It was the largest crowd of the season, 5,000 more than the Men's Clasico. The mosaic read 'More than Empowerment.' Alexia led celebrations on drums.
Conquering Europe
A year earlier, she led Barcelona to a treble, winning their first Women's Champions League title by defeating Chelsea 4-0. She became the first Spanish Ballon d'Or winner since 1960. In 2021-22, despite an unbeaten run, Barcelona lost to Olympique Lyonnais in the UWCL final. However, Alexia won the UEFA Women's Player of the Year and Ballon d'Or Féminin in consecutive years.
Injury and Comeback
On July 6, 2022, she ruptured her ACL while training with the Spanish national team. She was sidelined for nearly a year. Returning, she won a second UWCL, but complications led to an arthroscopic procedure in December 2023.
In the 2024 UWCL final, she started on the bench. Brought on in the 92nd minute, she scored a brilliant left-footed shot to seal victory over Olympique Lyonnais.
The Final Bow
Alexia leaves as the most decorated player in FC Barcelona history, with 38 trophies, many as captain. She scored over 230 goals in 500 appearances, the highest scorer in women's team history. Her legacy transcends trophies: her brilliant first touch, playmaking, and lethal finish captivate fans. She became a role model for young girls in sports, a trailblazer she never had.
With misty eyes, a second quadruple, and her head held high, Alexia did her signature bow for the last time in blaugrana colors. Her legacy is etched in history.
