FC Barcelona Femení concluded their Liga season with a 4-0 victory over Madrid CFF, a match tinged with emotion as it marked the final appearance for departing stars Alexia Putellas, Ona Batlle, and Mapi León.
Caroline Graham Hansen starred in the win, scoring a hat-trick, with Vicky López adding the fourth goal for Barcelona. The club recently honoured Putellas, the long-serving captain, at the Camp Nou in a ceremony acknowledging her significant contribution to the team, with a potential move to London City looming.
Both Batlle and León are also expected to continue their careers in England and France respectively, with León reportedly set to join Olympique Lyonnais. The departures signal the end of an era for Barcelona, who have enjoyed considerable success with this core group of players.
Putellas, a Ballon d'Or winner, has been a pivotal figure for Barcelona and Spain for many years, consistently demonstrating exceptional skill and leadership. Batlle has established herself as one of the best right-backs in the world, while León has been a mainstay in Barcelona’s defence. Their collective departure creates significant gaps in the Barcelona squad.
The club confirmed the players were given a farewell appearance during their 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad earlier in the week. While specific financial details of the moves have not been disclosed, the players are expected to seek new challenges in competitive leagues. These moves are expected to reshape the competitive landscape of women’s club football, with each player bringing considerable quality to their new teams.
