Few footballers have changed the women’s game as much as Alexia Putellas. The Spanish midfielder combines sharp vision, close control and a fierce drive to win. She helped turn Barcelona into a European force, became a World Cup champion with Spain and made history with three Women’s Ballon d’Or awards. In 2026, she began a new chapter in English football with London City Lionesses. Her journey also includes a serious injury, a close family bond and a clear wish to make football better for girls.
Who Is Alexia Putellas?
Born on 4 February 1994 in Mollet del Vallès, near Barcelona, Alexia Putellas Segura is a Spanish professional footballer. She is 32 years old as of October 2026. Standing approximately 1.73 metres tall, she is a left-footed midfielder who can both create and finish chances. She wears number 11 for London City Lionesses and represents Spain at international level. What sets her apart is not simply her trophy collection. She knows when to slow a match down, when to pass into space and when to attack the penalty area herself. Those qualities have helped her remain valuable through changes in teams, coaches and playing styles.
Early Life, Parents and Family
Football was part of her childhood in Catalonia. Her father, Jaume Putellas, supported Barcelona and shared that passion with his daughter. Her mother, Elisabet Segura, encouraged her sporting ambitions, while her younger sister, Alba, remains an important part of her family life. She began playing as a child and entered organised youth football at Sabadell. Her path later took her through Barcelona’s youth set-up and Espanyol. She was willing to compete against older players and worked hard to improve her technique.
Her father died in 2012, the same year she joined Barcelona’s senior side. His influence remains part of her personal story. She has often spoken about the value of family support and staying committed when life becomes difficult.
Alexia Putellas Career: From Spain to England
Early Clubs and Her Barcelona Breakthrough
After developing at Espanyol, she spent the 2011–12 season with Levante. Barcelona signed her in 2012, when she was 18. Over the next 14 years, she became a central figure in one of football’s strongest women’s teams. Her role grew from promising youngster to creative leader and captain. She helped Barcelona win its first Women’s Champions League title in 2021, followed by further victories in 2023, 2024 and 2026. She left the club with 38 trophies, including ten Spanish league titles. Barcelona’s main historical record credits her with 508 competitive appearances and 232 goals. These are remarkable totals for a player whose chief duty was often to build attacks rather than wait for chances in front of goal.
London City Lionesses Transfer in 2026
On 8 July 2026, she joined London City Lionesses on a free transfer. Her three-year contract runs to 2029. The move surprised many supporters because she had spent so long at Barcelona and could have joined other established European contenders. London City’s ambition, backed by owner Michele Kang, helped shape her decision. The club wants to grow as an independent women’s football organisation. For Putellas, the move offered a fresh challenge in the Women’s Super League and a chance to help build something new.
Alexia Putellas Stats and Playing Style
Club and International Numbers
Her final Barcelona season, 2025–26, brought 43 competitive matches and 20 goals. In the Champions League alone, she played 11 times, scored seven goals and provided seven assists. UEFA named her the competition’s Player of the Season after Barcelona beat Lyon 4–0 in the final. By 27 October 2026, her first seven Women’s Super League matches for London City had produced three goals and one assist. For Spain, she reached 150 senior appearances and 43 goals in October 2026, a milestone celebrated by the national federation.
Why Her Football Skills Stand Out
The midfielder sees passing routes before defenders can close them. Her first touch helps her escape pressure, and her left foot gives her the range to play a short pass or deliver a long ball behind the defence. She can carry possession forward, arrive late in the box and score from distance. Yet her leadership may be equally important: teammates can rely on her to demand the ball during tense moments. Her best performances mix skill with smart decisions rather than needless tricks.
Spain Career and Major Honours
She made her senior debut for Spain in 2013 and went on to become one of the national side’s leading figures. Spain won the 2023 Women’s World Cup, defeating England in the final. Although she was still rebuilding her fitness after injury, she was part of that historic squad. Spain also claimed the UEFA Women’s Nations League titles in 2024 and 2025. She remained influential as the side reached the Women’s Euro 2025 final. By October 2026, she had become the first player to reach 150 caps for Spain’s women’s team.
Ballon d’Or and Other Awards
She won the Women’s Ballon d’Or in 2021 and 2022, then secured a third on 26 October 2026. The latest victory followed a superb European season and made her joint record-holder for the award. Her honours also include two FIFA Best Women’s Player awards and two UEFA Women’s Player of the Year awards. Such prizes recognise her individual talent, but her influence is also measured by how consistently her teams compete for major trophies.
Serious Knee Injury and Her Comeback
In July 2022, she tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee while preparing for the European Championship with Spain. Surgery and rehabilitation kept her out for close to ten months. Missing a major tournament at the height of her career was a severe setback. She returned to action in April 2023, but full fitness and confidence took more time. Her recovery was not a simple return to previous form. She had to rebuild strength, adapt to match speed and earn back her rhythm. Scoring in the 2024 Champions League final and shining in 2026 showed how far she had come.
Alexia Putellas Partner, Girlfriend and Husband
Does Alexia Putellas Have a Girlfriend?
Spanish media connected the midfielder with Olga Ríos, a public relations and influencer-management professional. In July 2025, La Vanguardia described the end of their three-year relationship, citing people close to the pair. Neither woman made a formal announcement explaining the separation. There is no confirmed current girlfriend or partner as of October 2026. Her decision to keep relationships private should be respected, and photographs with friends or teammates are not proof of romance.
Is Alexia Putellas Married?
There is no confirmed marriage, husband or wife. She has not announced a wedding, and her current relationship status remains private. Her achievements on the pitch are well documented; her personal choices do not require the same attention.
Alexia Putellas Salary and Net Worth
How Much Does She Earn?
British sports coverage places her basic London City salary below £1 million a year, with extra payments possible through bonuses. Her previous annual Barcelona pay was estimated at roughly £640,000. The exact terms of her current contract have not been released. She also earns through commercial work. Nike is a major partner and has created a player-edition football boot linked to her name. Sponsorship income can change sharply from year to year, so basic wages do not show her complete earnings.
What Is Her Net Worth in 2026?
There is no confirmed figure for her personal wealth. Estimates found on celebrity websites often confuse income with savings and assets. Forbes valued her total annual earnings at $4 million in 2023, including $3.2 million from commercial activities. That was an estimate for one year, not a measure of everything she owns in 2026.
Work Beyond Football and Lasting Influence
Her Eleven Foundation helps girls gain access to football and develop confidence, teamwork and life skills. Its work includes projects in Spain, Colombia and Mexico. She wants young players to have chances that previous generations were often denied. Her life and career were also explored in the documentary Alexia: Labor Omnia Vincit. Away from the spotlight, she presents herself as ambitious and focused, with a strong connection to the people who supported her growing up.
What Comes Next?
Her latest Ballon d’Or confirms that her career is still moving forward. London City Lionesses have gained a creative midfielder with experience of winning the biggest titles, while Spain can draw on her leadership as it prepares for future tournaments. From a young Barcelona supporter to one of the world’s most decorated footballers, her story is built on practice, patience and the courage to take new risks. Her lasting impact is not only in goals, medals or awards. It is also in the growing number of girls who can now imagine a future in football. Her example continues to inspire young players in Spain, England and far beyond.
