European football giant FC Barcelona has partnered with the non-fungible token (NFT) ecosystem World of Women to release the second piece in its ‘Masterpiece’ collection.
The NFT is titled ‘Empowerment’ and is inspired by Spanish football player Alexia Putellas. Widely known as Alexia, the celebrated professional footballer plays as a midfielder for Barcelona (Barça), which she captains, as well as for Spain’s national team.
Both she and FC Barcelona are advocating for female empowerment in sports, as well as for gender equality and providing equal opportunities for women and girls in the industry.
Alexia has played for Barcelona since 2012: she has won seven league titles, seven Copas de la Reina, and two UEFA Women’s Champions League trophies. Famously, she played a key role in the 2020–21 season when Barcelona won the Champions League as well as the continental treble, both being the firsts for the team.
Per the press release,
“The Club has collaborated with ‘World of Women’ in the creation of the digital artwork that commemorates the exceptional performance of the best player in the world in the Champions League semi-final of the 2021/22 season against Wolfsburg.”
On April 22, 2022, a record 91,648 spectators witnessed Barça’s victory, it added.
This one-of-one token was created by World of Women artist Rhiana Madeline who, according to the press release, is recognized for combining traditional fine art skills with novel technological software to “push the limits of human creativity” through digital art.
Madeline first created a three-dimensional sculpture of Alexia, then added digital painting, special effects, chants from Barça supporters, and lights from the crowd. The artist used gold to symbolize Alexia’s achievements and legacy, said the announcement.
‘Empowerment’ will be up for sale in an auction on the popular OpenSea marketplace from June 26 to June 28.
A microsite will also be launched, providing necessary information and details of the artwork
The owner of this NFT will gain unique benefits: besides supporting gender equality in sports, they’ll get to meet Alexia and receive a pair of signed football boots.
There will also be a physical work of art that complements the NFT, as the announcement said.
“The owner of Empowerment will receive a unique item: a physical seat taken from Spotify Camp Nou, emblazoned with a portrait of Putellas by the renowned Catalan artist Oscar Tusquets and signed by the player herself.”
‘Empowerment’ is the second NFT in FC Barcelona’s ten-piece ‘Masterpiece’ collection.
The first, titled ‘In A Way, Immortal’ was released in July last year. It was inspired by the late football player Johann Cruyff, who is regarded as one of the greatest players of all time.
The press release noted that the remaining pieces would be “progressively presented” and would depict iconic moments and Barça characters, “emphasizing the Club’s legacy and historical heritage.”
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