MADRID (AP) — Alexia Putelas, a two-time Ballon d’Or winner who helped grow women’s soccer in Spain and around the world, is leaving Barcelona after 14 seasons.
Barcelona announced on Tuesday that Puteras would officially farewell at an event at the Camp Nou Stadium on Wednesday, giving the club “an opportunity to recognize the achievements of a player who has set an example on and off the field and contributed to the growth of women’s football around the world.”
The 32-year-old Puteras was in action on Saturday. Barcelona wins the Champions League It was his fourth title in six seasons.
Her next move was not immediately announced, and there was speculation in Spain that she would join fast-rising London City Lionesses. Puteras attended a Lionesses match in London in January.
According to the Catalan club, Puteras has made 507 appearances for Barcelona since joining from Levante in 2012 as an 18-year-old, making him the second-highest player in Barcelona’s history.
Puteras scored a club-record 232 goals for Barcelona and won 38 trophies, including four Champions League titles and 10 Spanish league titles.
“It’s time to admit that I’ve given everything to these colors,” Puteras said in a video posted to her social media accounts. “It was the perfect story.”
She was Barcelona’s best player when they won the Champions League for the first time in 2021, and helped put Spanish women’s football on the world map when they won back-to-back Ballon d’Or awards in 2021 and 2022. Her push into the sport was seen as key in helping Spain win the 2023 World Cup.
Puteras said this when Spain was plunged into crisis after then football federation president Luis Rubiales kissed a player without her consent at a World Cup ceremony. Led a player rebellion That was the beginning of his downfall.
“We have evolved the women’s team more than we could have imagined,” Puteras said. “In the beginning, being a soccer player wasn’t even recognized as a profession. Now I feel honored to be a part of this change.”
serious leg injury Her star status in Barcelona and Spain was called into question. She was sidelined for months and when she returned to the field, her playing time was limited and it was reported that she was considering a move away from Barcelona, but she ultimately signed a contract extension.
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