Barcelona star Alexia Putellas back in squad after long-term knee injury
Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas (29) has returned to Barcelona's squad for Thursday's second leg of their women's Champions League semi-final against Chelsea after a knee injury sidelined her for almost 10 months.
Putellas, who returned to training at the end of March, last played for Barca in their 6-1 cup final win over Huelva in May 2022, before she tore her anterior cruciate ligament and was ruled out of the women's European Championship.
She has received the green light to return, Barcelona said on Wednesday, and has been named in the 26-player squad for Thursday's game.
Barcelona edged Chelsea 1-0 in the first leg at Stamford Bridge on Saturday after Caroline Graham Hansen's early strike.