Alexia Putellas's last dance with Barça: "Everything has a beginning and an end, but the journey has been beautiful"

BarcelonaWednesday was a day of many emotions for the culers. Alexia Putellas – who also had an institutional event in the morning at Camp Nou – said goodbye to the fans in the last match of the season at the Johan Cruyff stadium (with a 2-1 victory against Real Sociedad). Although it is not yet official, Marta Torrejón, Mapi León and Ona Batlle – all three starters – also experienced their last match at home. On the other hand, Graham Hansen and Salma Paralluelo – who also finish their contracts on June 30, but have more options to continue at the club – started the duel from the bench.

From July 1, Barça will begin a new era in which the young players –especially Vicky López and Clara Serrajordi– will have to lead the project. Alexia Putellas made it very clear that the club's future was in good hands. “The team will continue to win. We [my generation] have moved the world, but they [the future] will eat it up,” remarked the captain while talking to her "sister" Vicky López. “She has been much more than a captain,” acknowledged the Madrid-born player.

The Camp Nou was dressed up –with the 38 titles won in the 14 seasons at the club on the pitch– to say goodbye to Alexia Putellas. “There is no perfect moment to leave. There are many factors to make this decision, the most important of my life. The demand I have on myself and the emotional part I have with Barça meant that anything continuing could blur my path at Barça. Winning the fourth Champions League in Oslo was the perfect moment”, Alexia began explaining. “On Tuesday I felt a huge void, but now I am full of love”, confessed the Catalan.

It has not been an easy decision for the player from Mollet del Vallès, who has been with the first team since 2012. “Barça is the best thing that has happened to me in my life. I know that wherever I go, which I still don't know and I have a summer ahead of me to make the decision, I will not have this fanbase, teammates, coaching staff, stadium… This is irreplaceable”, emphasized the captain, who also announced the creation of an academy together with the Barça Foundation.

From Pere Romeu to Xavi Llorens

Alexia also had a memory for Pere Romeu, whom she defined as "the best coach this club can have", and thanked everyone who has been part of this journey. "I have emptied myself. I love you very much for everything you have given me as a player. My history will always be with Barça and no one will change that".

The captain got emotional when she remembered her beginnings in the first team of Barça at the hands of Xavi Llorens, who signed her from Levante just after her father's death. "He told me I would be an emblem for the club when we played at the Ciutat Esportiva as a family," Alexia recalled, confessing that she will always be "indebted" to her first coach at the blaugrana entity.

Presented by Marta Torné, the event was attended by the entire squad and technical staff of the women's first team, the board of directors, Alexia's family, and special guests such as former Barça captain Carles Puyol and her first coach at Barça, Xavi Llorens. Other personalities like Melanie Serrano, Vicky Losada, Virginia Torrecilla, Raphinha, Pedri, Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta, Hristo Stòitxkov, and Estopa wanted to send a message to the blaugrana through a video.

The institutional event – more formal – was in the morning, while in the afternoon it was time to say goodbye to the one who has been her fanbase for 14 years and her home, the Johan Cruyff stadium, for the last seven seasons.

The farewells of Ona and Mapi

The culers chanted the names of Mapi León, Marta Torrejón and Ona Batlle, while the captain was dedicated their chant, “there is only one queen, Alexia Putellas”, for the last time at the blaugrana ground. The midfielder was substituted in the 82nd minute for Patri Guijarro in front of a Johan Cruyff who surrendered at the feet of the queen, who returned the affection with her last bow with Barça. "Everything has a beginning and an end, but the journey has been beautiful. I will carry you in my heart”, Alexia addressed the blaugrana fans.

Both Mapi and Ona left the field after receiving a guard of honor from all their teammates, very emotional, and hearing the entire stadium chant their names. A symbolic gesture that advances the future of the two footballers, who will not continue at Barça next season. On the other hand, Marta Torrejón, who is expected to also leave the club this summer, completed the entire match.

Aitana finds the net

On the pitch of the Johan Cruyff stadium, Barça once again won another league match, this time 2-1 against Real Sociedad. Claudia Pina put the Catalans ahead after a cross from Carla Julià on the left wing, but former Barça player Emma Ramírez equalized a few minutes later.

Aitana Bonmatí – who scored again after her injury – put Pere Romeu's team back in front after an assist from Alexia Putellas. Barça secured another victory in a match where everyone was watching the bench and waiting for Alexia Putellas to be substituted. The celebratory atmosphere mixed with sadness for the various farewells.