Barcelona have become the first club to have the holders of the Best FIFA Men’s Player and the Best Women’s Player at the same time. Midfielder Alexia Putellas won the women’s award in 2021 and scored a remarkable 34 goals last season. Putellas has been at Barcelona since 2012 and has made more than 370 appearances for the club. However, the 28-year-old is currently out injured with an ACL injury and looks set to miss the majority of next season. Meanwhile, the men’s side continued their big summer of spending by signing Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich. The Polish striker scored more than 300 goals in the Bundesliga and has won back-to-back FIFA Men’s Best Player awards.

Barcelona continue summer signing spree

So far this summer, Barcelona have been extremely busy in the transfer market.

Andreas Christensen arrived on a free transfer after leaving Chelsea, as did Frank Kessie, who was previously at AC Milan. 

After a long bidding war with the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea, Barca eventually won the signature of Leeds winger Raphinha, for a fee of around £52 million. 

Lewandowski cost the club £40 million but for a player of the Pole’s quality, this appears great value for money on paper. 

Raphinha signs for Barcelona.

Despite some astute business, many have questioned Barcelona’s excessive spending, especially given their financial problems in recent years. 

Bayern Munich boss Julian Nagelsmann stated that Barca’s business has been “kind of weird” and that he’s unsure how it’s been possible for the club to sign so many players. 

"They got a lot of new players, not only Robert," the German said.

"I don't know how to be honest, it's the only club in the world that can buy players without money. It's kind of weird and crazy."

Putellas’ injury update

Putellas was set to star for Spain at Euro 2022 this summer but suffered her agonising injury just days before the tournament started.

The midfielder was, therefore, forced to watch her country’s campaign from the stands as Spain suffered an agonising defeat to England in the quarter-finals. 

Alexia Putellas has been nominated for the Ballon d'Or Féminin

Barcelona have confirmed that Putellas’ cruciate injury will see her out for at least 10 months, which will mean she misses the majority of next season. 

This will include the 2022 Women’s Eurocup, the Women’s Champions League and possibly the 2023 Women’s World Cup, which will be held in Australia and New Zealand next year.