The new edition of the UEFA Women’s Champions League 2026/27 has already begun; However, and for the first time in 15 seasons, Alexia Putellas will not be among the players who will compete in the Women’s Champions League. After having decided to end his time at FC Barcelona, The midfielder will play with the London City Lionesses.
The decision, announced on May 26, 2026, meant the departure of the culé team’s top scorer, with two hundred and thirty goals in total. Likewise, during this stage, the Barcelona native managed to become the most successful player, obtaining thirty-eight titles, among them, four Champions League and six Spanish Super Cups.
All of this led her to win the Ballon d’Or twice, as well as the UEFA Award for Best Player in Europe, in 2021. But, with her signing for the London team, she also closed her time as one of the most important midfielders in the women’s competition. Becoming an example for both girls and women who love football, who saw in her how, If you pursue a dream, it can be achieved.
The soccer player developed her leadership since she was little
Born on February 4, 1994 in Mollet del Vallès, Barcelona, Alexia grew up with a ball at her feet. From a very young age she discovered her love for football and was able to share it with her friends and family. As he explained in an interview reported by “Vanity Fair”, he dedicated his recess time to playing against his classmates. “I never felt displaced. They were lifelong friends of the town and they counted on me for everything.“.
Back then, a girl wanting to play a sport popularly associated with boys might have been surprising. Fortunately, she grew up in an environment that, instead of trying to clip her wings, encouraged her to develop her skills as a captain, which would later serve her well during her time at Barça Women. “I was the bossy woman. In the yard I made the teams. Either I had to choose or they chose me first.“he recalled wistfully.
Such was her talent that, at just seven years old, she began playing for CE Sabadell, a team in which she began to train as a footballer from a very young age. Even when she stayed on the bench, little Alexia took the opportunity to observe and learn from the technique of her teammates, most of whom were older than her. An essential stage to finish developing a potential that would help you to fulfill his dream: play for Barça.
His father was his greatest support
However, to achieve this goal, the support of his father Jaume was also essential, with whom he went to the Camp Nou to see his idols and learn how professional football worked. It was he who decided to target her the summer camps organized by Xavi Hernándezformer footballer and coach of FC Barcelona. A rather important figure for young Alexia.
Thanks to all this training, he managed to enter the Barcelona youth academy at just 12 years old, playing with the youth teams until 2006. At that time, due to a restructuring, he went through other teams such as RCD Espanyol and Levante UD. However, in 2012 he returned to Barça, managing to play in the team that he had gone to see so many times with his father Jaume.
The first Champions League without Putellas in 14 years
Unfortunately, when the midfielder came of age, she had to face the loss of her father. His death was a hard blow for both Alexia and her mother, Elisabet Segura, and her sister, Alba. But, above all, for the soccer player, for whom she had been her greatest support during her professional career. Therefore, dedicate his first Ballon d’Or to himwhich he won on November 29, 2021.
“If you allow me, I am going to try to dedicate this to someone who will always be very special to me. For whom I do everything, I hope you are proud of everything your daughter does, wherever you are, this is for you, dad,” Putellas said after receiving the award. Likewise, he mentioned him in his announcement of his departure from Barcelona, a team of which his father was a fan and in which I had promised him that one day he would defend his colors.
Yesterday the first day of the UEFA Women’s Champions League 2026/27 began for Barça Femenino. The first in 14 years without Alexia Putellas among his ideal eleven, the midfielder who managed to win four seasons and who, in the last one, lifted the trophy after defeating OL Lyonnes. However, she left her companions a mission: “continue making history in the best club in the world“.