Alexia Putellas is set to leave Barcelona after 14 seasons as her contract expires in summer 2026, the club announced on May 26. She will depart as a free agent following a distinguished career at Camp Nou [1, 2, 3, 4].
Putellas helped Barcelona claim their fourth UEFA Women’s Champions League title on May 23, scoring 7 goals and providing 7 assists throughout the 2025-26 campaign. She was named Player of the Season for her contributions during their 4-0 win over Lyon in the final [5, 1, 2, 6]. UEFA’s Technical Group highlighted her 14 goal contributions as more than any other player in the tournament [1].
The 32-year-old midfielder has made 507 appearances for Barcelona, scoring 232 goals to become the club’s all-time top female scorer [3, 6, 4]. She has won 10 league titles and two Ballon d’Or awards (2021, 2022) while helping Spain win the 2023 World Cup and finish runner-up at Euro 2025 [5, 3].
Putellas overcame an ACL injury that forced her out of Euro 2022 but returned to top form before winning the Champions League crown [5, 3]. “I’ve always said that you can’t defend this shirt (only) halfway, and I understand that I have given everything I have,” she said. “It has been a perfect story” [7]. She also reflected on her connection with the club and fans: "I have been, and will always be, just another cule ... I was born a cule and I will die a cule" [7].
The club will hold a farewell event for Putellas on May 27 or 28 at Camp Nou. Her final home match, scheduled for May 27 against Real Sociedad in Liga F, will serve as a farewell on the pitch [1, 2, 3, 7, 6, 4].
Putellas is strongly linked with a transfer to London City Lionesses, owned by Michele Kang, who also owns Olympique Lyon. Talks have been ongoing for months, and the Lionesses are considered favourites, though she has also been linked with clubs in Europe, the US, and Mexico [5, 3, 6, 4].
Several other Barcelona women’s players, including Mapi León and Caroline Graham Hansen, are also out of contract this summer [3, 7, 6].
