Macario’s Future at Chelsea in Question Amid Injury Struggles and Transfer Interest

omidbasir- Last week, Tom Garry from the Guardian reported that Macario has declined a contract extension offer from Chelsea, where she has been since transferring from Lyon in 2023.

This season was anticipated to be significant for the 26-year-old, as she expressed to GOAL her expectation to be free from the stringent management of her playing minutes that followed a 21-month recovery from injury. Many believed she was poised to demonstrate her world-class talent consistently.

However, the season has not unfolded as hoped. Macario has struggled with minor injuries, most notably a heel issue that has prevented her from competing in 2026. When fit, she has not found the back of the net in a Women’s Super League campaign that has been disappointing for Chelsea, who have dominated the competition by winning the last six titles.

It appears that Macario’s time with Chelsea may be nearing its conclusion, and a change in environment could help her rediscover her peak performance.

In light of ongoing speculation about her situation, Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor remarked on Thursday, “Cat is not available right now due to injury. As you may have noticed, she is also absent from the Champions League squad. We are assessing Cat weekly to ensure she can contribute before the season ends. However, I do not have a definitive answer at this time.”

Macario has several enticing offers awaiting her consideration. Kathryn Batte of the Telegraph has reported that Barcelona has extended an offer, while Manchester City, Arsenal, and London City Lionesses have also shown interest in the 26-year-old.

Her reputation is well-deserved; during her final season at Lyon before suffering a devastating ACL injury, Macario established herself as one of the premier players globally, contributing significantly to the club’s eighth Champions League title. Despite facing substantial injury challenges since then, she has showcased glimpses of her talent at Chelsea, providing nine goal contributions in just eight starts during last season’s WSL.

Nonetheless, Spanish publication Sport has countered claims of Barcelona’s offer, citing the player’s high salary amidst the Catalans’ financial constraints as a significant hurdle. They also emphasize a pressing need to bolster their defensive lineup following injuries to key defenders.

Sport identifies Everton’s Martina Fernandez and Wolfsburg’s Camilla Kuver as potential targets for Barcelona, with Fernandez being a La Masia product excelling in the Women’s Super League and Kuver set to become a free agent this summer after a standout season for Wolfsburg.

There is also a possibility that Macario may return to the United States to sign with a club in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Having never competed in the American top flight, Macario could be a sought-after asset for many teams ahead of the upcoming 2026 season, which begins next month.

Notably, Macario has not been included in Chelsea’s squad for the upcoming Champions League knockout phase, where the team is likely to face Arsenal in the quarter-finals. This absence from European competition may prompt her to consider leaving before her contract concludes, especially as the season’s final stages approach.

In December, the San Diego Chronicle reported that Macario was in preliminary discussions with Bay FC. Should these talks progress, a return to California—where she was raised after moving from Brazil as a child and played college soccer for Stanford—could be a possibility.