Alexia Putellas – Age, Partner, Ballon D’Or Wins & Career

Alexia Putellas Segura is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished footballers of her generation. Born on February 4, 1994, in Mollet del Vallès, Catalonia, she rose through the ranks to become the face of FC Barcelona Femení and a two-time Ballon d’Or winner. At 32, standing 173 cm (5 ft 8 in) tall, she has left an indelible mark on women’s football through her technical skill, leadership, and resilience.

Putellas grew up in a basketball-oriented family but was a lifelong supporter of FC Barcelona. She joined the club’s youth academy in 2010 and made her first-team debut in 2012. Over the next 14 seasons, she developed into a midfielder and forward known for her vision, passing range, and goal-scoring ability. Her career totals with Barcelona include 507 matches, 232 goals, and 38 major titles.

In July 2022, Putellas suffered a severe ACL rupture while training with the Spain national team. The injury sidelined her for nearly a year and forced her to miss UEFA Women’s Euro 2022. She returned to lead Barcelona to back-to-back continental quadruples in 2023–24 and 2025–26, cementing her legacy as one of the sport’s great competitors. She announced her departure from the club in May 2026.

Who Is Alexia Putellas? Age, Height, and Background

A few key insights help frame her significance in the sport.

• Putellas is the first woman in history to win the Ballon d’Or Féminin in consecutive years (2021, 2022).
• She spent her entire elite club career at FC Barcelona, rejecting persistent transfer rumors to clubs such as Chelsea and Arsenal.
• Her public relationship with marketing expert and influencer Olga Rios made her personal life a highly searched topic among fans.
• She is a central figure for the Spain national team, though her career path was interrupted by a significant ACL injury in 2022.
• Putellas commands a large digital following, with more than 1.3 million followers on Instagram as of 2026.

Who Is Alexia Putellas’ Partner? Relationship with Olga Rios

Putellas was in a long-term relationship with Olga Rios, a Spanish marketing expert, talent agent, and social media influencer. The pair reportedly crossed paths in 2012, around the time Putellas joined Barcelona’s women’s first team. Their relationship became public in 2021, when Rios was spotted in the stands at Camp Nou during the UEFA Women’s Champions League final.

How Did the Relationship Develop?

Despite the public attention, Putellas and Rios maintained a notably private relationship. They rarely posted photographs together on social media and shared few details about their personal life. The couple was together for several years before deciding to separate.

What Is the Current Status?

The couple ended their relationship in July 2025. Reports at the time cited distance as the primary factor behind the split. As of 2026, Putellas is single. Before her relationship with Rios, she was romantically linked to former teammate Jenni Hermoso, though both parties moved on amicably.

Alexia Putellas Ballon d’Or Wins: How Many and When?

Putellas won the Ballon d’Or Féminin in 2021 and 2022. She became the first woman ever to win the award in consecutive years. In 2021, she also won UEFA Women’s Player of the Year and The Best FIFA Women’s Player, becoming the first player—male or female—to claim all three honors in the same calendar year.

Did She Repeat the Feat in 2022?

Yes. Putellas repeated her clean sweep in 2022, once again winning the Ballon d’Or Féminin, UEFA Women’s Player of the Year, and The Best FIFA Women’s Player. She became the first woman to win any of those awards in back-to-back seasons. Remarkably, she achieved the 2022 honors despite missing a large portion of the season due to an ACL injury suffered in July 2022.

What Made Her 2021 Victory Particularly Significant?

The 2021 Ballon d’Or victory was historic because Putellas was the first Spanish woman to receive the award. That same year, she scored 11 goals in the UEFA Women’s Champions League, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer, and was named UWCL Player of the Season and part of the UWCL Team of the Season.

Club and International Career: Barcelona, Spain, and Transfer Rumors

Putellas joined FC Barcelona in 2012 after earlier spells with Espanyol and Levante. She spent 14 consecutive seasons with the club, eventually becoming captain. She retired from Barcelona in May 2026, having played 507 matches and scored 232 goals across all competitions.

Which Club Does She Play For?

Putellas played her entire elite career at FC Barcelona. Despite persistent speculation linking her to Chelsea and Arsenal, no transfer ever materialized. The rumors stemmed largely from her status as a generational talent rather than from any concrete negotiations.

What Is Her Role in the Spain National Team?

Putellas has been a central figure for the Spain women’s national team for over a decade. She has captained the side in major tournaments and played a key role in Spain’s rise to prominence in international football. Her leadership was tested when she missed UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 due to her ACL injury.

What Is Her Jersey Number?

Putellas wore the number 11 jersey throughout her time at FC Barcelona and with the Spain national team. It became closely associated with her identity as a player.

Where to Find Alexia Putellas Online: Instagram and Social Media

Putellas maintains an active presence on Instagram under the handle @alexiaputellas, where she shares match highlights, trophy celebrations, personal moments with family, and support for the Spain national team. As of 2026, her account has more than 1.3 million followers.

She also uses Twitter, where her handle is @alexiaputellas. Her social media content generally reflects her professional career and personal interests, though she has historically kept details of her private relationships limited.

Alexia Putellas Career Timeline: Key Milestones

1. 1994 — Born in Mollet del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain.
2. 2010 — Joins FC Barcelona’s youth academy (La Masia).
3. 2012 — Makes her first-team debut for FC Barcelona Femení.
4. 2015 — Named Catalan Player of the Year.
5. 2021 — Wins her first Ballon d’Or Féminin; becomes the first Spanish woman to do so.
6. 2022 — Wins her second consecutive Ballon d’Or Féminin.
7. July 2022 — Suffers an ACL rupture while training with the Spain national team.
8. 2023–24 — Returns from injury and leads Barcelona to a continental quadruple.
9. 2025–26 — Captains Barcelona to another quadruple in her final season.
10. May 2026 — Announces departure from FC Barcelona after 14 seasons and retires.

What We Know and What Remains Unclear About Alexia Putellas

Why Alexia Putellas Matters to Women’s Football

Putellas’ consecutive Ballon d’Or victories coincided with the rise of FC Barcelona and Spanish women’s football on the global stage. Her performances helped Barcelona secure multiple domestic and European titles, including two continental quadruples. Her leadership as captain over 14 seasons set a benchmark for consistency and excellence.

Her ACL injury in 2022 drew attention to the physical demands placed on elite female athletes. The recovery process and her return to top-level performance became a widely followed story. Interest in her personal life, particularly her relationship with Olga Rios, also reflected growing media coverage of LGBTQ+ athletes in professional sport.

Transfer rumors linking her to Arsenal and Chelsea persisted throughout her career but never materialized. These rumors were largely a consequence of her reputation rather than any documented transfer activity.

Where to Find Reliable Information About Alexia Putellas

For readers seeking accurate and up-to-date information about Putellas, several sources provide verified data. The English-language Wikipedia page offers a comprehensive biography with career statistics and honors. The official FC Barcelona player profile is the definitive source for club-related information. ESPN’s biographical feature provides journalistic context for her awards and major career moments. Her official Instagram account is the primary channel for personal updates and visual content.

“Alexia Putellas is the first Spanish woman to win the Ballon d’Or Féminin and the first woman to win it in consecutive years.”

— Wikipedia: Alexia Putellas

“Putellas returned from an ACL injury to lead Barcelona to a continental quadruple in the 2023–24 season.”

— ESPN Biography

“She spent 14 seasons at FC Barcelona, scoring 232 goals in 507 matches and winning 38 titles.”

— FC Barcelona Official Profile

Alexia Putellas: A Lasting Legacy in Women’s Football

Alexia Putellas leaves football as a two-time Ballon d’Or winner, a four-time Champions League titleholder, and a captain who spent her entire elite career at one club. Her influence extends beyond statistics: she helped elevate the profile of women’s football in Spain and across Europe. For readers interested in broader comparisons, see our feature on the Best Female Footballers of All Time. For context on the competitions she dominated, explore our article on Women’s UEFA Champions League Winners.

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