The perfect moment' - Tearful Alexia Putellas opens up on decision to leave Barcelona

Alexia Putellas said goodbye to Barcelona in a tribute event and described the decision to leave as extremely difficult. She said there was no single moment that made leaving feel right, describing the choice as involving many shades of gray. She said the season’s achievements, including a fourth Champions League trophy, created the perfect time to step away. She described feeling emptiness after the decision and then feeling filled with love. She said the pressure of playing at that level for 14 years was not normal and that continuing could obscure her path. She said she will always remain a culer and that the team will continue winning.

"Yesterday was a very emotional day, actually, I'd say the whole season has been, when I considered whether it would be my last, he sad. Yesterday I felt a huge emptiness and today I'm filled with love. There's no single moment when you feel it's time to leave. There are many shades of gray; it's the most important decision of my life. What I felt was that continuing could obscure this path."

"When I lifted the fourth Champions League trophy, I saw that it was the perfect moment to say goodbye. I made a promise that today I would lay myself bare. This is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I felt I could contribute, but you can't normalize all of this. I told my grandmother that it's not normal to live with this level of pressure for 14 years, that we are privileged."

"If I had to imagine a perfect ending, this would be it. I've given it my all. After the fourth Champions League title ... I felt it was the perfect moment. I couldn't see myself doing anything other than giving 100%. The team will continue. I know them and I know they will keep winning, she said, explaining the reasons for the change in her career path."

"Alexia has yet to announce her next move but readily admitted that no matter where she goes, she will always be a culer: My story will always be with Barca. It has been a privilege."

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