Earthquake at Camp Nou. a historic departure that shocks Barcelona after 14 seasons of glory

In a decision that will shake the pillars of European women’s football, Spain’s Alexia Botias, Barcelona captain and Ballon d’Or winner, has decided to end her legendary career with the Catalan club after 14 exceptional seasons, thus turning the page on one of the brightest chapters in the history of the blue and red team.

According to sources close to the club, the 32-year-old has made the decision to take up a new challenge outside of Spain in a farewell that comes after a historic season with four top-flight titles in which he cemented Barcelona’s position as one of the greatest teams in the history of the game.

From childhood dream to eternal legend

The story began in July 2012, when an 18-year-old girl from Mollet del Va joined her dream team, which she watched at the Camp Nou with her late father.

Xavi Lawrence, the art director at the time, convinced her to join the ambitious project, in which he promised her a key role, at a time when Alexia needed her family after her father’s death later that year.

Women’s football wasn’t as popular then as it is today, but Alexia was part of the revolution that transformed Barcelona from an aspiring team to a dominant force both domestically and continentally.

Incredible numbers… second only to Messi

Alexia leaves Camp Nou after 508 games in a blue and red shirt, breaking all possible records.

With 230 goals, she became the women’s team’s all-time top scorer and the club’s second all-time top scorer, surpassing all legends except Lionel Messi.

In terms of titles, the Catalan player boasts 37 championships, including 10 La Liga titles, 8 Copa del Rey titles and 4 Champions League titles, in addition to the two historic quadruple titles he won in the 2024 and 2026 seasons, making him the most decorated player in Barcelona’s history.

Ballon d’Or and Back from Hell

Alexia was named the best player in the world in 2021 and 2022, becoming the first player in Barcelona’s history to win the Ballon d’Or, but the irony is that his second coronation came in the summer of 2022 after suffering a severe anterior cruciate ligament tear while playing for Spain.

She returned almost a year later to take part in the 2023 World Cup, which won Spain the crown, before leaving an immortal mark at the San Mamés Stadium by scoring the second goal against Olympique Lyon that gave Barcelona their third Champions League title in a moment that confirmed women’s football’s transformation into a global phenomenon.

More than just a player

Alexia shone not only with her exceptional football skills, but also with what she presented outside the green rectangle. His honesty, composure and absolute loyalty to Barcelona made him the core of a team that achieved everything. She was the leader who made dreams come true and the icon who inspired an entire generation of female gamers.