Will Barcelona’s latest Champions League triumph mark the end of an era?
Oslo – Barcelona reclaimed the Women’s Champions League title in emphatic fashion on Saturday but their fourth victory in six seasons in Europe’s elite club competition could mark the end of an era with the future of several players up in the air, notably captain Alexia Putellas.
The Catalans were determined to reclaim the crown after losing to Arsenal in last season’s final and they swept OL Lyonnes aside in Oslo, running out convincing 4-0 winners with all the goals coming in the second half.
Ewa Pajor and Salma Paralluelo were the stars on the day with two goals each, and an assist apiece too, therefore upstaging the usual stars, Putellas and Aitana Bonmati.
“I am super proud. It is a privilege to be a part of this era and I am very happy,” Putellas, the captain and Ballon d’Or winner in 2021 and 2022, told ESPN on the pitch at the Ullevaal Stadion.
For Barcelona, this success follows their victories in 2021, 2023 and 2024. It was their sixth straight appearance in the final, and their seventh in eight seasons — a remarkable run which has seen them replace Lyon as the dominant force in the women’s game, as the manner of Saturday’s win confirmed.
Nine of Saturday’s starting line-up also featured in the team’s last victory in the 2024 final. Putellas has played in all of Barcelona’s finals, but the 32-year-old is now out of contract and has been strongly linked with a move away.
She may be tempted by the prospect of a fresh challenge after 14 unbroken years at Barcelona, with the Women’s World Cup in Brazil on the horizon at the end of next season.
“What’s next for me? Going on holiday because there’s a long summer, and then next season push myself as always, and let’s see,” she told CBS Sports, carefully choosing her words when pressed about the future.
“Now it’s time to celebrate, it’s such a special night, and then we will have time to speak about that.”
Experienced defender Mapi Leon could be on her way too, and has been linked with London City Lionesses — the ambitious English WSL team are owned by American businesswoman Michele Kang, who also owns Lyon, the perennial French champions and still record eight-time Champions League winners despite Saturday’s defeat.
– ‘Money lacking everywhere’ –
The Barcelona women’s team may not be able to compete with the money on offer abroad as wealthy rivals eye some of their leading players.
Full-back Ona Batlle is another one set to depart, while the future of Paralluelo is up in the air, as is that of 32-year-old coach Pere Romeu.
“The last few years have been tough, let’s not lie. Money has been lacking everywhere, but we’ve maintained a top level thanks to the great work done over the years at La Masia,” said Barcelona’s Norwegian international Caroline Graham Hansen.
She was referring to the club’s fabled academy which has produced so many brilliant male and female players.
Bonmati, the 28-year-old reigning Ballon d’Or, has been at the club her whole career and Saturday’s victory tasted particularly sweet as she came off the bench having only recently returned from a broken leg.
In her absence, one young talent has stepped up in the shape of 18-year-old Clara Serrajordi, who started in the Norwegian capital.
“There’s no secret. There’s a lot of work, there’s a lot of ambition, a lot of consistency,” Bonmati said when asked what Barcelona’s recipe for success in recent years has been.
“It’s about mentality, not about talent. You can be a talented player, you can have a talented team, but our mentality is the best thing we have.”
It just remains to be seen if they can continue to keep their European rivals at bay, especially with the growing power of the English WSL with Manchester City, Arsenal and possibly Chelsea in the 18-team league phase of next season’s Champions League.
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المصدر: Iraqi News