The first big match of the F League, in which the Barça champions visited their historic great rival, Atlético de Madrid in Alcalá de Henares, was resolved by Alexia Putellas with a historic goal. It was a very tactical and tight duel that could not have had a better outcome. Something that inscribes the Mollet footballer even more in the history of Barcelona. The double Ballon d'Or winner, the only Spanish footballer with such a distinction, is already the Blaugrana team's top scorer. With that goal, the 182nd in the Barcelona shirt, she surpassed her friend and former teammate Jenni Hermoso. After her entire career, Alexia is still decisive. Captain, star, reference, world champion, legend and living history of the club.
The one with the record was not an inconsequential target by any means. Rather, it served to collapse the mattress defense, gave the three points and allowed Jonatan Giráldez's team to continue with its full performance after five games and at the top of the standings, tied with Real Madrid. Another of Sydney's heroes, goalkeeper Cata Coll, starting for the third time, collaborated with a great save from Sheila Guijarro in the final stretch.
The match, very tight in the first half, will always be remembered for the action in the 51st minute, at the beginning of the second half when the magic of Putellas appeared to beat Lola Gallardo. It was a great play by Barça on the right, from where Brugts saw Patri Guijarro's deep unmarking. In the area, Guijarro gave way to the center so that Alexia, with her left foot, pushed well positioned between the two centre-backs.
It has been 11 years and 14 days since Alexia released her locker. It was on September 30, 2012, in the sports city – later the Johan Cruyff stadium would come – in a rout against Sant Gabriel (7-1). She, who returned from a loan at Levante, began her own journey, which has led her to win seven Leagues and two Champions Leagues.
Now, at 29 years old, she is the leader of a generation that does not want to stop. She herself has already scored three goals in these first five days. Perhaps that is why she did not realize that she was a remarkable goal until she was replaced by Oshoala in the 77th minute. The Atlético fans saw her off with a standing ovation. “They just told me. I really didn't remember,” she confessed on DAZN. “It is a privilege and an honor to surpass my former teammate Jenni,” she said about the record.
We must not forget that, unlike Hermoso, Alexia Putellas has always been a midfielder, although now, after the knee injury, Giráldez is using her as a false number 9. Sonia Bermúdez, who in that duel against Sant Gabriel made four of the seven goals, was in the box, near the coach Montse Tomé, who was taking good note of Alexia Putellas' new position. “I want to continue helping the club win all the titles. I am learning the position with video and individualized work. I already mastered the indoor game. This will make me a better footballer,” she explained, with a commendable spirit of progress. History belongs to him and he is not satisfied.
