The new faces of Barça's defense
The Barça squad bets on young players to replace Mapi León and Ona Batlle
BarcelonaAlexia Putellas' departure has overshadowed all the headlines of the past few days due to its emotional significance for the locker room and the fans. Also due to its importance to the club, for which she was another commercial asset. The player from Mollet del Vallès is one of the footballers who sells the most jerseys and represented a great attraction for companies, which helped secure sponsors, as was the case with Leo Messi in his time.
But she is not the only confirmed departure from Barça. Last week, the departures of Mapi León and Ona Batlle were also announced. Two losses that weaken a defense that this season – especially after Laia Aleixandri's injury in February – has had few players. Proof of this is the emergence of four players in the first team who have gained minutes and experience at the elite level.
A commitment to young people
The most surprising case has been that of Aïcha Camara, who has gone from playing for the reserve team to being an important player in the defense of the reigning European champion. The center-back – who can also play as a right-back – has played 43 games this season. Also noteworthy is Carla Julià, who can play as a right winger or a left-back and has had minutes in 21 matches throughout the season. Both players have earned a place in Pere Romeu's team in their first season in the elite.
They have also participated with the first team, in a more limited way, Adriana Ranera and Maria Llorella, starters in Barça's last league match. Ranera has been present in nine games with the first team, while Llorella has played in four.
In parallel, Marc Vivés has been working to reinforce a defensive line that is left unprotected with the departures of Mapi León and Ona Batlle. Laia Aleixandri is not expected to return until early 2027. This implies that, from July 1st, Pere Romeu will only have two center-backs available in the first team squad, Irene Paredes and Aïcha Camara, and one left-back, Esmee Brugts. Marta Torrejón's contract ends on June 30th and in recent days she has been linked with Espanyol, where she already played.
Mapi León's replacement
Some absences that force Marc Vivés to go to the market. Weeks ago we explained in ARA that Martina Fernández was in negotiations with the blaugrana club. The center-back from Ordis has never hidden her desire to return to Barcelona. "My goal has always been to return to Barça, because it is my dream, it is where I want to end up playing, and I will work to try to achieve it", she said in an interview with this newspaper last January. "I am convinced that we will bring in center-backs to try to continue having a leading defensive line", assured Pere Romeu about the farewell of Ona and Mapi.
Meanwhile, the sporting director has already secured another young promise. It's Julia Torres, a center-back from Sevilla's reserve team, but who this season has played twelve matches in the League with the Andalusian first team. "She is a very versatile left-footed player with a very good foot and vision of the game. She has good long-range passing and the ability to come out with the ball controlled," Sevilla's coach, David Losada, who was also her discoverer – along with Daiana Borrego – at SAM CAM, the club from where they brought her, explains to ARA.
These virtues will make her adaptation to Barça quicker. "She is a responsible player and an exemplary student. With us, she has always alternated training with her studies. She has a very good family background that allows her to keep her feet on the ground," Losada highlights.
The 17-year-old defender – who has also played as a pivot and a winger – is called up to the Spanish U-19 team and everything points to her being included in David Aznar's list to compete in the European Championship which begins at the end of June. There she will meet other players from the Barça B team such as Ainoa Gómez or Rosalía Domínguez, who already welcomed Torres via Instagram. "The best is yet to come," replied the Barça midfielder to the post where the Andalusian said goodbye to Sevilla.
Furthermore, Marc Vivés has also rushed to renew Charlotta Ohlander until 2029. “She has a great ability to win duels, whether in sprints or aerials, and a very good ball distribution. It is true that she has to work on aspects such as concentration,” they explain to ARA from the club, where they also highlight the leadership of the centre-back.