2023–24 FC Barcelona Femení season

Barcelona finished the previous season on 3 June 2023, winning the 2022–23 UEFA Women's Champions League.[6]

Defensive midfielder María Pérez, who played in the first team for several seasons while on a B team contract, extended her deal on 7 June. She signed a permanent first team contract until June 2025.[7] On 19 June, Barcelona announced the signing of right-back Ona Batlle on a free transfer from Manchester United.[8] There was one departure in June, of Emma Ramírez; though she had a contract until the end of the 2023–24 season, Ramírez and the club came to a mutual agreement for contract termination.[9]

On 4 July, the club announced that it had terminated the contract of Nuria Rábano.[10]

On 6 July, GOAL announced a new Goal 50 list, the "World-Class Club" of 25 elite players; 8 Barcelona players were included.[11] On 8 July, Mariona Caldentey became the first female footballer to be awarded Catalunya Ràdio's Trofeu Kubala for the best goal of the previous season, for her long-range goal against FC Rosengård in the 2022–23 UEFA Women's Champions League.[12]

The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup began on 20 July; Barcelona was the most-represented club at the tournament, with 18 players for eight national teams: including new signing Batlle and Giulia Dragoni of the B team, they counted 9 for Spain, 2 each for England and Norway, 1 each for Brazil, Italy, Nigeria, Sweden and Switzerland.[13]

The Catalan government announced on 25 July that the institution of the women's team had been awarded the Medalla d'Honor del Parlament de Catalunya, being the first sports team to receive it.[14] Catalan president Anna Erra announced the honour with a speech detailing the virtues of the team and its status as a reference.[15][16]

On 28 July, Keira Walsh suffered a knee injury while playing for England at the World Cup, though confirmed the next day to not be an ACL injury.[17]

Pre-season training began on 1 August. There were only 8 players from the first team present at this first session, with the rest at the World Cup; 24 B and C team players, including new signings, also attended.[18]

After missing a game, Walsh had been cleared fit for England's World Cup match against Nigeria on 7 August, but picked up another injury and was taken off after playing 119 minutes of the knock-out game.[19][20] The day after, it was reported that she was expected to be fit for their next match.[21] On 11 August, Spain players Laia Codina and Aitana Bonmatí had to be substituted with injuries in their quarter-final match against the Netherlands; Codina received a blow to the cheek and hamstring discomfort, the most worrying injury, while Bonmatí experienced recurrence of adductor discomfort from an injury picked up in the previous match against Switzerland. The coaching staff said that they expected both players to be fit for the semifinal, though would have to wait to test Codina on the pitch.[22][23] Barcelona was also the most-represented club in the semifinals, with England, Spain, and Sweden making it to the final four.[24]

On 12 August, Barcelona opened the pre-season with a 3–0 win against AEM Lleida in a friendly played behind closed doors at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. Clàudia Pina, Ariana Arias and Martine Fenger scored the goals for the team. Though still missing all of the World Cup players, and with only 13 B team players continuing to train for the pre-season, the matchday squad was managed so that nobody (for Barcelona) played more than 45 minutes.[25][26]

Following their semifinal victories, Spain and England both reached the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup final for the first time. Between the finalists, there were 11 Barcelona players: Batlle, Bonmatí, Caldentey, Codina, Cata Coll, Salma Paralluelo, Irene Paredes, María Pérez, and Alexia Putellas for Spain, and Walsh and Lucy Bronze for England.[27]

On 18 August, it was announced that Manchester United had signed Geyse for €300,000 – the most expensive sale in Barça Femení history – and Arsenal had signed Codina.[28][29]

Fridolina Rolfö and Sweden won the bronze medal match of the World Cup on 19 August, with Rolfö being named player of the match.[30] Later that day, Barcelona held another pre-season friendly, the first at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, defeating Montpellier 2–0, with Alba Caño and Laia Martret scoring in the first and last minutes.[31]

On 20 August, Spain and England contested the FIFA World Cup final, with 10 of the 11 Barcelona players (all but María Pérez) featuring in the match. Spain won 1–0 to win their first women's senior title; England achieved their best performance at a World Cup as runners-up. Bonmatí received the Golden Ball award as the best player of the tournament, with Paralluelo named the best young player of the tournament.[32][33][34] During the match, Codina had to be substituted with a recurrence of her injury.[35]

The World Cup final match saw records set by several Barcelona players: Putellas became the first woman to have won the FIFA Women's World Cup, UEFA Women's Champions League and the Ballon d'Or;[36] Paralluelo became the first woman to win the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup and the FIFA Women's World Cup, while also being the first player to hold both the U-20 World Cup and the senior World Cup titles at the same time; eight of the nine Barcelona players representing Spain became the first female players in history to win both the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA World Cup in the same year;[37][38][39] and Bronze, starting her 20th career World Cup match, became the England player with the most starts in the World Cup.[40]

On 22 August, it was announced that the club had signed Dutch versatile player Esmee Brugts for free, with Brugts saying it had been her dream to play for Barcelona.[41] It was also reported that María Pérez would be leaving the club on loan for a year, already having a return plan.[42]

Barcelona defeated Juventus 5–0 on 24 August to win the Joan Gamper Trophy for the third time in front of 5,485 spectators at the Estadi Johan Cruyff.[43][44][45] Codina's transfer to Arsenal was formally announced when the English club began training on 29 August, for a fee of just over €100,000.[46]

The club undertook a pre-season champions tour in Mexico, playing their first match there on 29 August. They won the game for the CAMP3ONAS Tour 2023 invitational trophy by defeating Liga MX Femenil champions Club América 2–0 at the Estadio Azteca in front of 34,931 fans.[47][48] Pina and Judit Pujols scored the goals for the team.[49]

On 31 August, Barcelona midfielder Bonmatí won the UEFA Women's Player of the Year Award for her performances during the previous season. She became the third Barcelona player to win the award; including Putellas winning it twice, this made Barcelona the club with the most wins of the award (four). It also became the first club to receive the award in three consecutive years. There were three other Barcelona players in the top ten: Paralluelo (fifth), Walsh (seventh) and Graham Hansen (eighth). Coach Jonatan Giráldez came third for the UEFA Women's Coach of the Year Award.[50][51]

On 1 September, Barcelona ended their Mexican tour and pre-season with a 1–0 win against Tigres UANL in front of 39,501 spectators at the Estadio Universitario,[52] finishing pre-season with a perfect record of five wins in five matches and no goals conceded.[53][54] On 5 September, Rolfö and the club confirmed that she would have surgery for a knee injury that had developed in prior months.[55][56]

On 6 September, Barcelona announced the transfer of Swiss versatile player Ana-Maria Crnogorčević to Atlético Madrid for an undisclosed fee. During her time with the club she had 115 appearances and scored 21 goals, winning 12 major trophies.[57] On the same day, the nominees for the 2023 Ballon d'Or were announced. Six Barça players were nominated for the Ballon d'Or Féminin: Rolfö, Paralluelo, Patri Guijarro, Bonmatí, Asisat Oshoala and Mapi León.[58]

Barcelona's first match of the 2023–24 Liga F was scheduled for 10 September, but was not played due to the Liga F players' strike.[59]

In an England squad announcement on 13 September, it was confirmed that Walsh had sustained a calf injury; England manager Sarina Wiegman said it was minor but Walsh was still not fit to be called up.[60]

On the evening of 13 September, the first team (including the reserve players in the first team set-up; not including Rolfö who had recently undergone surgery) attended the Palau del Parlament de Catalunya to receive the Medalla d'Honor.[61] The next day, the nominees for the The Best FIFA Football Awards were announced: Bonmatí, León, Paralluelo and Walsh were nominated for The Best FIFA Women's Player; Coll and Sandra Paños were nominated for The Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper; and Giráldez was nominated for The Best FIFA Women's Coach.[62][63]

On 16 September, Barcelona got their first win of the season, beating Madrid CFF 2–0 away thanks to goals from Caroline Graham Hansen and Asisat Oshoala.[64] Esmee Brugts made her debut and Alexia Putellas became the second player in the club's history to reach 400 appearances with the club; only behind the club legend Melanie Serrano, who holds the record with 517 appearances.[65]

The first matches of the 2023–24 UEFA Women's Nations League A were held in September. Some Barcelona players were not selected due to injury; others were selected despite having withdrawn; and León and Guijarro withdrew after being selected as a boycott. The international break also saw youth games played, with two of Barcelona's first team called up to Spain's under-23 team. On 24 September, Norway confirmed that Graham Hansen had been injured before she was taken off during their match two days earlier, and that she was returning to Barcelona and would miss their next game.[66]

The team played three league games (including the rescheduled first matchday) in the first week of October, winning 2–1 away to Sporting de Huelva;[67] 6–0 against Valencia in their first home match of the season, including two own goals scored by Valencia defender Claudia Florentino;[68] and 3–0 over Real Sociedad, with a goal from Putellas and a brace from Graham Hansen.[69]

The winning streak continued with a 1–0 victory over Atlético Madrid on 15 October;[70] the goal was scored by Putellas, who became Barcelona's leading goalscorer with 182 goals.[71][72][73]

On 20 October, the draw for the 2023–24 UEFA Women's Champions League group stage was held, with Barcelona drawn into Group A alongside Rosengård, Benfica and Eintracht Frankfurt.[74][75][76] The next day, Barcelona defeated Granada 6–1. Oshoala scored a brace and Batlle scored her first senior goal for the club.[77]

Players who have a squad number and are eligible to play for the first team.

As of 8 September 2023[78]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 26 MF  ITA Giulia Dragoni 30 MF  ESP Vicky López 34 DF  ESP Martina Fernández 40 FW  ESP Lucía Corrales

As of 21 October 2023[88][89][90][91][92]

No..	Pos.	Nat.	Player	Liga F		Copa de la Reina		Supercopa de España		Champions League		Total		Discipline		Notes
				Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Goalkeepers
1	GK		Sandra Paños	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0
13	GK		Cata Coll	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0
25	GK		Gemma Font	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Defenders
2	DF		Irene Paredes	4+1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	0	0
4	DF		Mapi León	5+1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	1	0	0
5	DF		Jana Fernández	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0
8	DF		Marta Torrejón	3+2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	1	0	0
15	DF		Lucy Bronze	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0	2	0
22	DF		Ona Batlle	5	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	1	0	0
34	DF		Martina Fernández	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0
Midfielders
11	MF		Alexia Putellas	4+2	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	3	0	0
12	MF		Patricia Guijarro	6	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	2	0	0
14	MF		Aitana Bonmatí	4+2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	1	0	0
21	MF		Keira Walsh	1+2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0	0	0
23	MF		Ingrid Engen	3+3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	0	0	0
24	MF		Esmee Brugts	3+2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	0	0
30	MF		Vicky López	1+1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0	0
Forwards
6	FW		Clàudia Pina	4+2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	1	0	0
7	FW		Salma Paralluelo	1+1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	0	0
9	FW		Mariona Caldentey	3+3	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	1	0	0
10	FW		Caroline Graham Hansen	4	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	3	0	0
16	FW		Fridolina Rolfö	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
19	FW		Bruna Vilamala	2+3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0	0	0
20	FW		Asisat Oshoala	1+4	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	3	0	0
40	FW		Lucía Corrales	0+1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0

As of 21 October 2023[93][94]

Rank	No.	Pos.	Nat.	Player	Liga F	Copa de la Reina	Supercopa de España	Champions League	Total
1	10	FW		Caroline Graham Hansen	3	—	—	—	3
	11	MF		Alexia Putellas	3	—	—	—	3
	20	FW		Asisat Oshoala	3	—	—	—	3
4	12	MF		Patricia Guijarro	2	—	—	—	2
5	6	FW		Clàudia Pina	1	—	—	—	1
	14	MF		Aitana Bonmatí	1	—	—	—	1
	4	DF		Mapi León	1	—	—	—	1
	8	DF		Marta Torrejón	1	—	—	—	1
	22	DF		Ona Batlle	1	—	—	—	1
	7	FW		Salma Paralluelo	1	—	—	—	1
	9	FW		Mariona Caldentey	1	—	—	—	1
Own goals (from the opponents)					2	—	—	—	2
Totals					20	0	0	0	20

As of 21 October 2023[95][96]

Rank	No.	Pos.	Nat.	Player	Liga F	Copa de la Reina	Supercopa de España	Champions League	Total
1	14	MF		Aitana Bonmatí	4	—	—	—	4
2	12	MF		Patricia Guijarro	2	—	—	—	2
3	6	FW		Clàudia Pina	1	—	—	—	1
	22	DF		Ona Batlle	1	—	—	—	1
	19	FW		Bruna Vilamala	1	—	—	—	1
	10	FW		Caroline Graham Hansen	1	—	—	—	1
	21	MF		Keira Walsh	1	—	—	—	1
	7	FW		Salma Paralluelo	1	—	—	—	1
	9	FW		Mariona Caldentey	1	—	—	—	1
Totals					13	0	0	0	13

As of 21 October 2023[97][98]

Rank	No.	Nat.	Player	Liga F	Copa de la Reina	Supercopa de España	Champions League	Total
1	13		Cata Coll	3	—	—	—	3
2	1		Sandra Paños	1	—	—	—	1
3	25		Gemma Font	—	—	—	—	—
Totals				4	—	—	—	4

As of 21 October 2023[99][100][101]

No.	Pos.	Nat.	Player	Liga F			Copa de la Reina			Supercopa de España			Champions League			Total
15	DF		Lucy Bronze	2												2
Totals				2												2

Source: FCBarcelona.com
Ordered by , and
= Number of bookings; = Number of sending offs after a second yellow card; = Number of sending offs by a direct red card.