Prominent European soccer club, FC Barcelona, has joined hands with the NFT initiative, World of Women, to unveil the next art piece in their ‘Masterpiece’ series.
Named ‘Empowerment’, this NFT creation draws inspiration from the esteemed Spanish soccer star, Alexia Putellas. As the captain of Barcelona and a representative of Spain’s national squad, Alexia becomes the muse for this distinctive artwork.
Both Alexia Putellas and FC Barcelona are passionate supporters of women’s empowerment in the realm of sports. They are also champions for promoting gender parity and ensuring that women and girls have equal opportunities within the sports sector. This NFT collaboration further accentuates their dedication to these pivotal issues.
Since joining Barcelona in 2012, Alexia has had a storied career: she boasts seven league titles, seven Copas de la Reina, and two UEFA Women’s Champions League trophies. Her pivotal contributions during the 2020-21 season helped Barcelona secure their first Champions League title and achieve the coveted continental treble.
According to a recent press statement:
“In collaboration with ‘World of Women’, the Club has produced a digital artwork celebrating the outstanding achievements of the world’s premier player during the 2021/22 Champions League semi-final against Wolfsburg.”
Furthermore, on April 22, 2022, an unprecedented crowd of 91,648 fans were present to witness Barça’s triumph, the statement highlighted.
The exclusive token was crafted by Rhiana Madeline, a World of Women artist. As per the media statement, Madeline is celebrated for melding classical artistry with cutting-edge technology, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression in the digital realm.
To begin, Madeline sculpted a three-dimensional representation of Alexia. She then embellished it with digital artwork, dynamic effects, fervent chants from Barça fans, and luminescence from the audience. The use of gold in the artwork stands as a testament to Alexia’s remarkable accomplishments and enduring legacy, as highlighted in the announcement.
‘Empowerment’ will be available for bidding on the widely known OpenSea platform, starting from June 26 and concluding on June 28.
Additionally, a dedicated microsite will be introduced, offering comprehensive insights and particulars about the piece.
Purchasing this NFT not only supports gender equality in sports but also comes with exclusive privileges. The owner will have the opportunity to meet Alexia and receive football boots autographed by her.
In addition to the digital artwork, a tangible piece complements the NFT. As highlighted in the announcement:
“The ‘Empowerment’ NFT owner will be presented with a distinct artifact: a physical seat sourced from Spotify Camp Nou, adorned with a depiction of Putellas by the esteemed Catalan artist, Oscar Tusquets. Moreover, the portrait is personally signed by the player.”
‘Empowerment’ represents the second NFT within FC Barcelona’s ‘Masterpiece’ collection, consisting of ten artworks.
The inaugural piece, named ‘In A Way, Immortal’, debuted in July of the previous year. This work was inspired by the legendary footballer, Johann Cruyff, universally acknowledged as one of the sport’s greatest icons.
The press statement also mentioned that subsequent artworks in the series would be unveiled progressively, capturing monumental moments and iconic figures associated with Barça. These pieces aim to underscore the Club’s rich legacy and storied history.
