Alexia Putellas is a Spanish professional footballer widely regarded as one of the greatest female footballers of her generation. A left-footed midfielder known for her creativity, passing, technique, goal-scoring ability and leadership, Putellas spent 14 highly successful seasons with FC Barcelona Femení before beginning a new chapter with London City Lionesses in 2026.
During her Barcelona career, Putellas became one of the defining figures in the club’s rise to dominance in women’s football. She won multiple Liga F titles, Copa de la Reina trophies and UEFA Women’s Champions League titles, while becoming Barcelona Women’s all-time leading scorer for a period of her career. She also captained Barcelona and became the first woman to win the Ballon d’Or Féminin twice, taking the award in 2021 and 2022.
At international level, Putellas has been equally influential. She was part of Spain’s historic 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup-winning team and later helped Spain win the 2025 UEFA Women’s Nations League, where she was named Player of the Finals.
| Name | Alexia Putellas Segura |
| Age | 32 Years |
| Born | February 4, 1994 |
| Birthplace | Mollet del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain |
| Zodiac Sign | |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Ethnicity | |
| Profession | Professional footballer |
Who Is Alexia Putellas?
Alexia Putellas is a Spanish footballer who became one of the most recognizable and decorated players in women’s football.
Her career is closely associated with Barcelona, where she developed from a young academy player into captain, playmaker and club icon. Her ability to control matches from midfield, create chances, score important goals and contribute defensively made her one of the most complete players of her generation.
UEFA describes Putellas as a versatile player capable of operating as a playmaker, attacking from the left and playing as a false nine. Her exceptional left foot and technical ability have been central to her style.
Early Life and Childhood
Alexia Putellas was born on February 4, 1994, in Mollet del Vallès, a municipality in Catalonia near Barcelona.
She grew up in Catalonia and developed a strong connection with FC Barcelona from an early age. Her childhood passion for football eventually led her into organized youth football and, ultimately, the Barcelona academy system.
Putellas began her youth career with CE Sabadell before spending a period with Barcelona and subsequently moving to RCD Espanyol, where she developed much of her early football education.
Her development during these early years helped establish the technical foundation that would later become one of her greatest strengths.
Alexia Putellas’ Youth Career
Putellas started playing football at a young age and progressed through several Catalan clubs.
Her early career included:
- CE Sabadell
- FC Barcelona youth system
- RCD Espanyol
- Levante UD
She spent several seasons at Espanyol before joining Levante for the 2011–12 season.
Her performances at youth level also brought international recognition. Putellas represented Spain at youth level and was part of Spain’s successful UEFA Women’s Under-17 Championship teams in 2010 and 2011. She also represented Spain at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Return to Barcelona
In 2012, at the age of 18, Putellas returned to FC Barcelona.
This became the defining move of her professional career.
Barcelona’s official profile describes her as joining the first team in 2012 after arriving from Levante. Over the following 14 seasons, she developed from an emerging midfielder into the captain and one of the most important players in the club’s history.
Her arrival coincided with the beginning of Barcelona’s transformation into one of the dominant forces in women’s football.
Alexia Putellas at FC Barcelona
Putellas spent 14 seasons with Barcelona’s first team.
During that period, Barcelona Women’s football changed dramatically. The club developed into a European powerhouse, winning domestic titles and eventually establishing itself as a regular UEFA Women’s Champions League contender.
Putellas was one of the central figures in that transformation.
FC Barcelona describes her as a key player in the team’s success and credits her with helping the club win numerous domestic and European trophies.
By the end of her Barcelona career, she had become one of the club’s most decorated women’s players.
Alexia Putellas and the UEFA Women’s Champions League
The UEFA Women’s Champions League has been one of the most important competitions of Putellas’ career.
In 2021, Barcelona won their first UEFA Women’s Champions League title, defeating Chelsea 4–0 in the final in Gothenburg.
Putellas scored Barcelona’s second goal in that historic final.
That victory was especially significant because it represented Barcelona’s first Women’s Champions League title and formed part of the club’s historic continental treble.
Putellas later helped Barcelona win additional Champions League titles.
By 2026, she had collected four Women’s Champions League winner’s medals, including Barcelona’s 2026 triumph. UEFA also named her the 2025/26 Women’s Champions League Player of the Season.
Ballon d’Or Féminin
One of the biggest achievements of Alexia Putellas’ career is her success at the Ballon d’Or.
She won the Ballon d’Or Féminin in 2021.
The following year, she won it again.
Her second victory in 2022 made her the first woman to win the Ballon d’Or Féminin twice, and she won the award in consecutive years.
Her 2021 season was particularly historic because she collected several major individual honors during the same period.
She won:
- Ballon d’Or Féminin
- UEFA Women’s Player of the Year
- The Best FIFA Women’s Player
She became the first Spanish player to win FIFA’s top women’s individual award.
The Best FIFA Women’s Player
Putellas also won The Best FIFA Women’s Player award in both 2021 and 2022.
Her 2021 victory followed Barcelona’s historic Champions League-winning season, while her 2022 award came despite the serious knee injury that interrupted her season.
Barcelona’s official records note that Putellas became the first player to win several of these major individual awards in consecutive years.
| Category | Achievement | Year / Details |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 UEFA Women’s Champions League | 4× Winner | 2021, 2023, 2024, 2026 |
| 🇪🇸 FIFA Women’s World Cup | World Champion with Spain | 2023 |
| 🥇 Ballon d’Or Féminin | 2× Winner | 2021, 2022 |
| ⭐ UEFA Women’s Player of the Year | 2× Winner | 2021, 2022 |
| 🌍 The Best FIFA Women’s Player | 2× Winner | 2021, 2022 |
| 🏅 UEFA Women’s Champions League Player of the Season | 2× Winner | 2021-22, 2025-26 |
| ⚽ UWCL Top Scorer | Top scorer with 11 goals | 2021-22 |
| 🇪🇸 UEFA Women’s Nations League | Winner with Spain | 2024 |
| 🏆 Liga F | Multiple-time Spanish champion | 10+ league titles with Barcelona |
| 🏆 Copa de la Reina | Multiple-time winner | With Barcelona |
| 🏆 Spanish Super Cup | Multiple-time winner | With Barcelona |
| 👑 Barcelona | Captain & club legend | 14 seasons, 30+ trophies |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | 100+ international caps milestone | Reached 100 caps in 2022 |
Alexia Putellas’ Knee Injury
In July 2022, Putellas suffered a serious left knee ligament injury shortly before the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022.
The injury forced her to miss the tournament and a significant portion of Barcelona’s following campaign.
The setback was one of the most difficult periods of her career.
However, Putellas returned to competitive football and eventually regained her place among Barcelona’s leading players.
Her recovery became an important part of her career story because she returned to win further major trophies at both club and international level.
Return From Injury
Putellas returned to action during the 2022–23 season.
Her comeback was followed by another period of success with Barcelona.
She eventually helped Barcelona win another Women’s Champions League title in 2023, when Barcelona defeated Wolfsburg in the final in Eindhoven.
UEFA records that she returned from injury and was a late substitute in the final, lifting the trophy after Barcelona’s dramatic comeback.
Alexia Putellas and Spain
Putellas has been an important member of the Spanish national team for more than a decade.
She received her first senior Spain cap in 2013 after progressing through the country’s youth teams.
Her international career has included:
- UEFA Women’s Euro
- FIFA Women’s World Cup
- UEFA Women’s Nations League
- Olympic football
- Spain’s youth European championships
She became one of Spain’s senior leaders and was among the country’s captains during the early 2020s.
2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
One of the greatest achievements of Putellas’ international career came at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Spain reached the final in Australia and New Zealand and defeated England 1–0 to win their first senior Women’s World Cup.
Putellas played in every match of Spain’s tournament campaign.
The World Cup victory completed another major chapter in her career.
She had already won the UEFA Women’s Champions League and the most prestigious individual awards in women’s football. Now she had also become a senior world champion with Spain.
UEFA Women’s Nations League
Putellas was also part of Spain’s successful UEFA Women’s Nations League campaign.
Spain won the 2023–24 UEFA Women’s Nations League, adding another major international trophy to Putellas’ résumé.
Spain later won the 2025 UEFA Women’s Nations League as well.
Putellas played a major role in that campaign and was named Player of the Finals after helping Spain defeat Germany in the final.
Alexia Putellas at the 2024 Olympics
Spain qualified for the women’s Olympic football tournament for the first time.
Putellas was part of Spain’s Olympic squad at the Paris 2024 Games.
Spain reached the bronze-medal match but ultimately finished fourth.
UEFA records that Putellas scored an important free-kick against Nigeria during the group stage and also scored against Brazil.
Alexia Putellas’ Final Barcelona Seasons
The later part of Putellas’ Barcelona career added even more trophies.
In 2024, she signed a new two-year contract with Barcelona and helped the club win another Champions League title, scoring the decisive goal after coming off the bench in the final against Lyon.
In 2025 and 2026, Barcelona continued to dominate Spanish women’s football.
Putellas contributed to another Liga F title and another Champions League campaign.
Barcelona’s 2025–26 season ended with Putellas collecting her fourth Women’s Champions League winner’s medal. UEFA subsequently listed her among the competition’s standout players and named her Player of the Season.
Leaving FC Barcelona in 2026
In May 2026, FC Barcelona announced that Putellas would leave the club at the end of the season after 14 seasons with the first team.
Her departure marked the end of one of the most important player-club relationships in modern women’s football.
During her Barcelona career, she became:
- Captain
- Major trophy winner
- Champions League winner
- Ballon d’Or winner
- Club icon
- One of Barcelona Women’s all-time leading scorers
FC Barcelona described her as a player who had become much more than a footballer and had helped women’s football grow globally.
Alexia Putellas Joins London City Lionesses
In July 2026, Putellas officially joined London City Lionesses.
The move marked the first major club change of her senior career since joining Barcelona in 2012.
London City announced that the two-time Ballon d’Or winner had signed for the club and described the transfer as a landmark moment for the organization.
Putellas joined the Barclays Women’s Super League club as part of its ambitious project to compete at the highest level of women’s football.
The club announced that she would wear No. 11.
Her move also represents an important new stage in her career: after becoming a symbol of Barcelona’s rise, she now has the opportunity to help build another women’s football project in England.
Alexia Putellas’ Playing Style
Putellas is primarily a left-footed midfielder, although her tactical versatility allows her to operate in several attacking positions.
Her strengths include:
- Excellent close control
- Creative passing
- Vision
- Through balls
- Long-range shooting
- Set-piece ability
- Ball retention
- Movement between the lines
- Intelligent positioning
- Leadership
- Goal scoring
- Ability to play as a false nine
UEFA describes her as capable of playing as a playmaker, attacking from the left and operating as a false nine.
Her left foot is one of her defining technical characteristics.
Rather than depending primarily on speed or physical strength, Putellas often controls games through positioning, decision-making, technique and passing.
Alexia Putellas’ Leadership
Putellas’ influence extends beyond her technical ability.
She became one of Barcelona’s principal leaders and eventually the team’s captain.
Her leadership became particularly important during Barcelona’s transformation into a dominant European club.
She was also one of Spain’s senior leaders and reached 100 international caps in 2022, becoming the first Spanish women’s player to reach that milestone at the time.
Her leadership and professionalism have made her a role model for younger footballers.
Alexia Putellas’ Major Trophies
Putellas’ trophy cabinet includes some of the most important honors available in women’s football.
With FC Barcelona
Her Barcelona honors include multiple:
- Liga F titles
- Copa de la Reina titles
- Spanish Super Cups
- UEFA Women’s Champions League titles
FC Barcelona’s current player records list 10 league titles, 9 Copa de la Reina titles, 6 Catalan Cups, 4 UEFA Women’s Champions League titles and 4 Spanish Super Cups.
With Spain
Her major international honors include:
- 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
- 2023–24 UEFA Women’s Nations League
- 2025 UEFA Women’s Nations League
She also won European youth championships with Spain at Under-17 level.
Alexia Putellas’ Individual Awards.
| Ballon d’Or Féminin | 2021, 2022 |
| The Best FIFA Women’s Player | 2021, 2022 |
| UEFA Women’s Player of the Year | 2021, 2022 |
| UEFA Women’s Champions League Midfielder of the Season | 2020–21 |
| UEFA Women’s Champions League Player of the Tournament | 2021–22 |
| UEFA Women’s Champions League Player of the Season | 2025–26 |
| UEFA Women’s Nations League Player of the Finals | 2025 |
These achievements helped establish Putellas as one of the most decorated individual players in women’s football.
Alexia Putellas Career Timeline
2026
Wins her fourth Women’s Champions League with Barcelona, leaves the club after 14 seasons and joins London City Lionesses.
2025
Helps Spain win the UEFA Women’s Nations League and is named Player of the Finals.
2024
Helps Barcelona win another Champions League and represents Spain at the Paris Olympics.
2023
Returns from injury and wins the FIFA Women’s World Cup with Spain.
2022
Wins the Ballon d’Or Féminin for a second consecutive year and suffers a serious knee ligament injury.
2021
Wins her first UEFA Women’s Champions League with Barcelona and receives the Ballon d’Or Féminin, UEFA Women’s Player of the Year and The Best FIFA Women’s Player awards.
2015
Wins recognition as one of Barcelona’s leading players and becomes increasingly important to Spain.
2013
Makes her senior Spain debut.
2012
Returns to FC Barcelona at age 18.
2011–2012
Plays for Levante.
2006–2011
Develops through the youth and senior systems at RCD Espanyol.
Early 2000s
Begins her football development with CE Sabadell and later Barcelona’s youth system.
1994
Born on February 4 in Mollet del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain.
Interesting Facts About Alexia Putellas
- She was born in Catalonia. Putellas was born in Mollet del Vallès, near Barcelona.
- She joined Barcelona’s first team at only 18. She arrived from Levante in 2012.
- She has won the Ballon d’Or twice. She won in 2021 and 2022.
- She was the first woman to win the Ballon d’Or Féminin twice. Her victories came consecutively.
- She is a FIFA Women’s World Cup champion. Spain won the 2023 tournament.
- She has four Women’s Champions League winner’s medals. Her fourth came with Barcelona in 2026.
- She scored in the 2021 Champions League final. Her goal helped Barcelona defeat Chelsea 4–0.
- She reached 100 Spain caps in 2022. She became the first Spanish women’s player to reach the milestone.
- She has played as both a midfielder and forward. Her versatility has been a major part of her career.
- 2026 marked the end of her Barcelona era. She spent 14 seasons with the club before moving to London City Lionesses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Alexia Putellas
Who is Alexia Putellas?
Alexia Putellas is a Spanish professional footballer known for her career as a midfielder and forward. She became a Barcelona icon, two-time Ballon d’Or winner and FIFA Women’s World Cup champion.
How old is Alexia Putellas?
Alexia Putellas was born on February 4, 1994. She is 32 years old in 2026.
Where was Alexia Putellas born?
She was born in Mollet del Vallès, Catalonia, Spain.
What position does Alexia Putellas play?
She primarily plays as a midfielder, although she has also played as a forward and false nine.
Which club does Alexia Putellas play for?
As of 2026, Alexia Putellas plays for London City Lionesses in England. She joined the club after leaving FC Barcelona following the 2025–26 season.
Did Alexia Putellas play for Barcelona?
Yes. She played for Barcelona’s first team from 2012 until 2026, spending 14 seasons with the club.
How many Ballon d’Or awards has Alexia Putellas won?
She has won two Ballon d’Or Féminin awards, in 2021 and 2022.
Did Alexia Putellas win the Women’s World Cup?
Yes. She was part of Spain’s squad that won the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
How many UEFA Women’s Champions League titles has Alexia Putellas won?
She has won four UEFA Women’s Champions League titles. Her fourth came with Barcelona during the 2025–26 season.
Why is Alexia Putellas famous?
She is famous for her exceptional technical ability, creativity, leadership and trophy record. Her career includes two Ballon d’Or awards, four Women’s Champions League titles, a FIFA Women’s World Cup and multiple domestic championships.
What happened to Alexia Putellas’ knee?
Putellas suffered a serious left knee ligament injury in 2022 that ruled her out of UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 and kept her away from football for an extended period. She subsequently returned and continued winning major trophies.
When did Alexia Putellas join London City Lionesses?
London City Lionesses announced her arrival in July 2026 after she ended her 14-season Barcelona career. She signed as part of the club’s ambitious women’s-football project.
Final Thoughts
Alexia Putellas’ career is one of the strongest stories in modern women’s football.
From playing youth football in Catalonia to becoming Barcelona captain, two-time Ballon d’Or winner, Champions League champion and World Cup winner, she has built a résumé that places her among the most accomplished female footballers in the history of the sport.
Her Barcelona era was particularly historic. She spent 14 seasons with the first team, helped the club become a dominant force in Europe and became one of the most decorated players in Barcelona Women’s history.
Now, with her move to London City Lionesses in 2026, Putellas has entered a completely new chapter. Rather than simply extending an already successful career, she is taking her experience, leadership and competitive ambition into a new football environment.
Her legacy is therefore still being written.
