Alexia Putellas, the woman wey dem dey call ‘La Reina’ for Barcelona, don finally decide to change throne. After 14 seasons with the Catalan club, she go pack her bag and head to England. The 32-year-old midfielder, wey win Ballon d’Or two times, no take the option to extend her contract for another year. Instead, she choose to start a new adventure.
All signs point to London City Lionesses, the club wey American businesswoman Michele Kang own, as her next stop. But she no go alone. Defenders Ona Batlle and María León also go join the Women’s Super League, where teams get more money and resources than for Spain.
Barcelona go miss Alexia plenty. This season she score 20 goals and win Best Player for the Champions League wey the team carry. She be the leader for the dressing room, especially for the young players wey don step up after some older ones leave. The club no get the same financial power as before to compete with big European teams.
But Alexia influence pass football. Her success for Barcelona and the national team, plus her strong talk for women empowerment, make her the face of Spanish women’s football explosion for the last five years. She be one of the voices wey speak out under #SEACABÓ against the non-consensual kiss from Luis Rubiales to Jennifer Hermoso after the 2023 World Cup final.
Alexia also be a big deal for brands. She be one of Nike main faces, plus she advertise for top car and food companies. Barcelona benefit from that too, so the club lose one of its advertising icons.
Her football journey start for Espanyol, then she shine for Levante during 2011-12 season. After that, Barcelona sign her when she be 18 years old. Soon she become a key player for a team wey dey grow every year for Spain and Europe.
For 2021, individual awards start to come: UEFA Best Player, Champions League Best Midfielder, first Ballon d’Or, and FIFA The Best award. She also become the first footballer to receive the Creu de Sant Jordi from the Generalitat de Catalunya. Even a serious knee injury for summer 2022 with the national team no stop her. She come back for April 2023 and slowly get her best form back, scoring the second goal for the 2023-24 Champions League final against Lyon.
This season she become the second top scorer in Barcelona history with 232 goals. Only Leo Messi, with 672 goals, score more. She leave the club with 30 trophies: 10 Ligas, 10 Copas de la Reina, 6 Supercopas, and 4 Champions Leagues. For the national team she win a World Cup and a Nations League.
Now, after 14 years leading the biggest team for European football, the new throne for ‘La Reina’ go likely be for England. God save the Queen.
