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Alexia Putellas has returned to her best, and leading Barcelona to Women's Champions League success could well see her claim a third Ballon d'Or title.

When Barcelona clinched their seventh consecutive Liga F championship last month, Alexia Putellas couldn’t help but recall the doubts that surrounded her team before the season began. Financial limitations had created major challenges in the transfer market, making it difficult to assemble a squad capable of competing strongly across all competitions. Many questioned how the Catalans would perform, particularly in Europe. However, their place in Saturday’s Champions League final — just one victory away from completing a quadruple — serves as a resounding answer.

With 41 wins from 45 matches in all competitions and just one loss, Barcelona have already lifted the league title, the Supercopa de Espana, and the Copa de la Reina. These achievements underline that off-field financial struggles have not dented the team’s spirit. Putellas herself highlighted that resilience in an interview with local channel 3Cat, when the reporter mentioned pre-season criticism directed at the team.

“We have never doubted ourselves,” Putellas said with a knowing smile. “All the noise coming from outside is just that — noise.”

There are several reasons why Barcelona have thrived despite their financial situation — a scenario that could have destabilised lesser teams. A flourishing youth academy has been crucial, with youngsters like Clara Serrajordi and Aicha Camara excelling in their debut senior seasons. The club’s strong scouting network has also paid dividends, with talented signings like Esmee Brugts, Vicky Lopez, and Sydney Scherteinleib taking on bigger roles this year.

However, at the heart of it all has been the outstanding form of Putellas. The captain has not only handled increased pressure and expectations superbly but has done so with the kind of brilliance that could see her earn a third Ballon d'Or.

Fit and firing once more

Putellas was exceptional last season, scoring 27 goals and providing 21 assists as she helped Barcelona capture a domestic treble and reach the Champions League final. She also played a key role in Spain’s journey to the 2025 European Championship final. In a fiercely contested Ballon d'Or race — where just 118 votes separated the top four finishers — few would have argued against her winning.

That campaign was particularly meaningful given her previous setbacks. The 32-year-old suffered an ACL injury on the eve of Euro 2022, sidelining her for that tournament and much of the following season, and limiting her participation in Spain’s victorious 2023 Women's World Cup run. After minor injury concerns lingered into the 2023-24 season, last year marked her first fully fit campaign since winning back-to-back Ballon d'Ors in 2021 and 2022 — and she appeared to be playing some of the best football of her career.

More responsibility than ever

Putellas has carried that momentum into the 2025-26 season, one in which she and her teammates have faced even greater scrutiny. The club’s financial challenges last summer limited transfer activity, leaving the squad thinner than usual.

While the men’s team once again battled registration issues, the women’s side made just one major addition — Spain international Laia Alexiandri, who returned on a free transfer from Manchester City.

In contrast, Barcelona saw several senior players depart, including Ingrid Engen, Ellie Roebuck, Fridolina Rolfo, Bruna Vilamala, and Jana Fernandez. Young talents such as Onyeka Gamero, Martina Fernandez, Alba Cano, and Lucia Corrales also left permanently for top-tier clubs in England and the United States, generating modest transfer fees.

The result was a lean 21-player first-team squad tasked with competing in four competitions. That group included youngsters Serrajordi and Camacha, who were stepping up to senior football full-time for the first time. This meant more responsibility fell on experienced leaders like Putellas to make the season a success.

Overcoming adversity

Luck with injuries would have made life easier, but Barcelona had none of it. Aitana Bonmati, fresh from winning her third Ballon d'Or, missed five months with a broken leg. Patri Guijarro was out for three months with a foot stress fracture, while summer signing Alexiandri suffered a season-ending ACL injury. Goalkeeper Cata Coll missed six weeks due to a knee problem, and central defender Mapi Leon was sidelined for two months following knee surgery.

Additional short-term absences — such as Ona Batlle and Ewa Pajor each missing a month — further tested the squad’s depth. Every team deals with injuries, but the impact is magnified when the roster is as small as Barcelona’s.

Stepping up as a leader

In the face of these challenges, Putellas has been immense. Usually supported by Guijarro and Bonmati in midfield, she has shouldered more responsibility and showcased the leadership qualities that define her captaincy.

Her statistics speak volumes. The two-time Ballon d'Or winner has tallied 21 goals and 12 assists across all competitions this season, guiding Barcelona to three trophies already. Her two-goal display in the Champions League semi-final second leg against Bayern Munich was a standout, while her three goals and three assists across three consecutive matches against Real Madrid in March were equally impressive.

No player has been involved in more Champions League goals this season than Putellas, whose 14 goal contributions in 10 matches put her three ahead of her nearest rival.

Leading by example

Putellas’ influence extends far beyond her performances. Her leadership has been crucial in a campaign where Barcelona have relied on young and inexperienced players to fill gaps left by injuries. She has been a guiding presence both on and off the pitch.

“She’s a player who always tries to help others and get the best out of everyone,” said 23-year-old left-back Esmee Brugts last month. “In games, people see how much of a leader she is, but in training, she’s just as demanding — of herself and of us. She’s a real role model.

“I talk to her a lot since we play on the same side, and the little tips she gives me really help. When I speak of experienced players stepping up, she’s the perfect example. Playing alongside her gives me calmness and confidence.”

That kind of leadership may not appear in statistics, but it’s been an essential ingredient in Barcelona’s success this season.

The grand stage awaits

Can this story end in Champions League glory? Putellas was part of the Barcelona team that lost to Arsenal in last year’s final, and that memory will only fuel their determination to defeat Lyon this weekend.

There’s also an added dimension — Putellas’ contract situation. The 32-year-old’s deal expires this summer, with an option for an additional year. However, speculation continues to swirl around her future as the transfer window approaches. Women’s Super League side London City Lionesses have been strongly linked, though Putellas has repeatedly stressed that her focus remains on the present and her love for Barcelona.

If this season does mark the end of her Barcelona journey, a Champions League triumph would be a perfect farewell. And should the Catalans overcome Lyon, there’s every chance that Putellas — who scored in the 2024 final and the 2022 edition — will once again take centre stage. A victory here could seal yet another Ballon d'Or for one of the greatest players in the women’s game.