In the world of football, few names resonate as strongly as Alexia Putellas. The FC Barcelona captain and two-time Ballon d'Or winner has become a global icon—not just for her prowess on the pitch, but also for her leadership, humility, and commitment to the sport. Yet, behind the stadium lights and roaring crowds lies a deeply personal journey rooted in a small Catalan city and marked by recent emotional upheaval.
Mollet del Vallès, a city just 16 miles (25 kilometers) from Barcelona, is where Alexia’s story begins. With a population of about 52,000 and spanning just over four square miles, Mollet may seem unassuming at first glance. But its rich history, stretching back to at least the year 993, and its blend of ancient and modern landmarks reveal a place of surprising depth. According to e-Notícies, archaeological finds like the Menhir de Mollet—a carved stone monolith nearly 16 feet tall discovered in 2009—attest to the city’s Neolithic and Roman roots. Its streets are lined with historical treasures, including the Romanesque church of Santa Maria de Gallecs, the Gothic bell tower of Sant Vicenç, and the modernist Abelló Museum, which showcases Catalan art. The Old Market and the former Town Hall round out a heritage that Mollet’s residents cherish.
Green spaces are another hallmark of the city. Can Mulà Park acts as a natural lung, while Prat de la Riba Square is the social heart where locals gather. Mollet sits adjacent to the protected Gallecs natural area—over 1,700 acres of fields and trails that provide a verdant escape from urban life. Well-connected by highways and rail, Mollet offers both a gateway to Barcelona and a tight-knit community that has managed to modernize without losing its identity.
It was here, in these streets and parks, that Alexia Putellas first kicked a ball. She began playing soccer at age seven with CE Sabadell, often competing with older girls. According to e-Notícies, her early years were marked by perseverance—she sometimes had to sit on the bench or even give a false birth date just to be eligible to play. At ten, she attended a summer camp run by football legend Xavi Hernández, returning for two more years. By eleven, she’d joined Barça’s youth teams, only to be cut during a restructuring. Undeterred, she debuted in Spain’s First Division at sixteen with Espanyol, FC Barcelona’s city rival. A year later, she signed for Levante, where her talents continued to blossom.
Tragedy struck just as her dreams were within reach. Her father, her greatest supporter and the one who took her to Camp Nou as a child, passed away before she signed with FC Barcelona in 2012. That year, she finally achieved her lifelong goal, joining Barça’s senior squad and beginning a new chapter marked by titles, awards, and a growing legion of fans. Her story, as reported by e-Notícies, has become a source of immense pride for Mollet del Vallès, which celebrates her every achievement.
The city’s admiration for Alexia is visible everywhere. In 2024, a 1,120-square-foot mural depicting her was unveiled, painted by local artist Dase and funded by Pepsi. The artwork has become a symbol of neighborhood pride and a testament to the bond between Alexia and her hometown. Moreover, Mollet will soon host the first headquarters of the Eleven Foundation, an initiative spearheaded by Alexia to train young female footballers and promote gender equality in sports. In a gesture of humility, Alexia declined the city’s offer to name the municipal football field after her, suggesting instead that it honor pioneering women in sports.
Yet, even as Mollet and the world celebrate her sporting achievements, Alexia’s personal life has recently come under the spotlight. The summer of 2025 brought a wave of speculation and, ultimately, confirmation of her breakup with longtime partner Olga Ríos. The news first surfaced during the Euro Cup in July, when Alexia was focused on her duties with the Spanish national team. Journalist Javi de Hoyos ignited public curiosity on July 19 by posting a reel questioning whether the couple had split, citing subtle changes on social media.
According to El Nacional and La Vanguardia, the breakup was not the result of scandal or infidelity, but rather the natural wear and distance that can develop over time. De Hoyos emphasized that there were "no third parties or an abrupt episode," describing the separation as a "mature ending, without unnecessary drama." This account fits the couple’s history of discretion and privacy.
Neither Alexia nor Olga have issued a joint statement, staying true to their preference for keeping their relationship out of the public eye. However, on August 11, 2025, Olga Ríos broke her silence with a simple but poignant message on social media: "I'll have to get used to it." As reported by El Nacional, this brief phrase marked her first public acknowledgment of the breakup and signaled a period of acceptance and adjustment. For many followers, it was a rare glimpse into the emotional process behind the headlines.
Olga Ríos, an agent for influencers—including the well-known Violeta Mangriñán—has typically maintained a low profile. The attention on her private life was, in many ways, an unwelcome side effect of Alexia’s fame. Her message was seen as both a personal reflection and a subtle request for space, as she navigates a new routine away from the public gaze.
Meanwhile, Alexia has kept her focus squarely on football and her social projects. She continues to lead FC Barcelona and the Spanish national team, while also championing initiatives through her foundation. Despite the intense media interest, she has avoided public discussion of her personal life, preferring instead to let her work and achievements speak for themselves.
For Mollet del Vallès, Alexia remains a beloved figure—a hometown hero who has carried the city’s name onto the world stage. The city’s tributes, from murals to foundations, reflect a deep and enduring connection. And as both Alexia and Olga chart new paths, their story serves as a reminder that even those who seem larger than life face the same challenges, heartbreaks, and moments of resilience as anyone else.
As the summer of 2025 draws to a close, Mollet del Vallès stands as both a witness to and a participant in Alexia Putellas’s remarkable journey—a city that continues to celebrate her triumphs, support her through challenges, and inspire the next generation of dreamers.
