Alexia Putellas is back! Barca name midfielder in squad to face Chelsea

FC Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas is back. Nine and a half months later, the Catalan club confirmed Wednesday that she is ready to return to the pitch and named her in the squad to face Chelsea this week.

Alexia, who came through the the club's youth ranks and has been the world's dominant player in individual awards over the last two years, is available to Jonatan Giráldez for the final stretch of the season.

The medical team had the idea of delaying her return, but the chance to play one last game at Spotify Camp Nou, where Barça will host Chelsea to seal a place in the Champions League final on Thursday, has weighed more heavily.

Alexia could play her first minutes after a blank season. Last season, she was a key player in Barça's success, scoring a total of 29 goals in La Liga and the Champions League.

She has won three league titles and one Champions League, as well as two Ballons d'Or and FIFA's The Best award.