Women’s Euros player to watch: Alexia Putellas (Spain)

International caps: 98

International goals: 26

International honours:

• 2016 & 2020 Olympic Silver medal
• 2018 Algarve Cup
• 2019 FIFA World Cup (3rd place)

Club: Barcelona

Club honours:

• Espanyol:
  • 2010 Copa de la Reina
• Barcelona:
  • 2013, 2014, 2015, 2020, 2021 & 2022 Primera Division
  • 2021 Women’s Champions League
  • 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2020 & 2021 Copa de la Reina
  • 2020 & 2022 Supercopa de Espana

Alexia Putellas, Spain – One To Watch

Alexia Putellas is perhaps the best player in the world right now, and the latest recipient of the prestigious Ballon d’Or Feminin award. The Barcelona star broke into the team at the age of 18 and has been the beating heart of one of Europe’s greatest club sides ever since. Now, as Spain target a first-ever Women’s Euros trophy, they will rely heavily on Putellas to lead the way.

A midfield maestro, Putellas is a superb creator from deep but also excels at running with the ball and taking defenders on. One of the cleanest strikers of the ball in the women’s game, she also has a habit of scoring spectacular long-range goals and recently finished as top-scorer in the women’s Champions League.

A decade on from her Barcelona debut, Putellas is now the most-capped woman in Spain’s history and is on the verge of bringing up an unprecedented century of appearances. Her personal trophy cabinet is stuffed with every club honour possible: six league titles, a Champions League winners’ medal, and a host of individual awards topped off with the 2021 Ballon d’Or.

At Euro 2022 Putellas is likely to be surrounded by familiar faces from her Barcelona career, with club team-mates Aitana Bonmati, Irene Paredes among those who could be on the pitch alongside her. Their understanding can only bode well for Spain, although Putellas remains the jewel in Spain’s crown as they go for Euro 2022 glory.