What a season it has been for European women's football. The Champions League campaign was certainly a memorable one, with some thrilling ties throughout the knockout stages and an enthralling introduction to the league phase format, with stars aplenty shining on the biggest stage before Barcelona beat Lyon in the final.

Barcelona have officially confirmed that defensive stalwarts Mapi Leon and Ona Batlle will depart the club when their contracts expire at the end of next month. The news marks a significant shift for the European champions, coming just days after club legend Alexia Putellas also announced her intention to seek a new challenge away from Catalunya.

Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas will leave Barcelona at the end of the season after a historic 14-year spell. The legendary midfielder’s departure has sparked intense speculation about a potential move to the Women’s Super League in England, as the Spanish giants prepare to bid an emotional farewell to their iconic captain and all-time top scorer.

Barcelona captain Alexia Putellas has officially been named the 2025-26 UEFA Women's Champions League Player of the Season. The Spanish midfielder reclaimed her status as the finest player on the continent following a sensational knockout campaign that saw the Blaugrana secure their fourth European title.

When Barcelona won their seventh successive Liga F title last month, Alexia Putellas was reminded of the many doubts that were raised about her team prior to the season. Financial restraints produced serious obstacles in the transfer market and prevented the club from building the sort of squad one would hope for when competing on four fronts, leading many to wonder how they would fare this season, especially in the Champions League. That the Catalans are back in the final on Saturday and just one win away from a quadruple, then, is quite the rebuttal.

With 20 goals across the four games, and late drama at the end of both ties, it's fair to say the 2025-26 Women's Champions League semi-finals delivered. Out of them emerged Lyon, the eight-time winners, and Barcelona, the three-time champions, to set up a truly mouth-watering final in Oslo on May 23, in which there will be so many fascinating storylines.