Alexia Putellas is One of the Best Players in the World Right Now
If you’ve been anywhere near the women’s soccer world lately, you know the name Alexia Putellas.
The Spanish midfielder led Barcelona to win their first Champions League title in their 2020-2021 season. She scored 42 goals and 32 assists in 2021 across all her teams. In addition, she was crowned the UEFA Women’s Player of the year, the Ballon d’Or Female winner for 2021, and the Best FIFA’s Women’s Player in 2022.
But who is Putellas behind her long list of awards and accomplishments? We’ll dive into what made Alexia Putellas the soccer star she is today and relay her hopes for the future of the sport.
Starting Steps
Putellas, a Nike-sponsored athlete, was born on February 4, 1994. She fell in love with the game at a young age by bonding with her father over games at Camp Nou.
Starting her career at age six, Putellas bounced around a bit. Then, after a year, she left the Barcelona Youth Academy to play with Espanyol, where she was a member of the team that won the Copa de la Reina in 2010.
Unfortunately, her dad passed away when she was only 16. Putellas often refers to her father in interviews and points to the sky before games. She paid tribute to him in her Ball D’or acceptance speech, calling him her inspiration and hoping he was proud of her.
Barcelona
Putellas’ remarkable playmaking ability, ball control, and knack for creating space on the field have helped her leave her mark with her club team since she joined in 2012.
Her playing style is creative, patient, and focused on possession and building. Watching her play is a fantastic thing, as she can fake players out on the dribble, slot passes through unprecedented spaces, and has a knack at scoring off freekicks.
She is the first woman to score in a competitive match at Barcelona’s Camp Nou stadium.
Barcelona won its first-ever treble with Putellas at the helm, beating Levante 4-2 to win the Copa de la Reina after already sweeping the league and securing the club’s first-ever Women’s Champions League trophy. Putellas scored 27 goals and had 19 assists throughout Barca’s run.
She is the second-highest goalscorer in Barca history, behind teammate Jenni Hermoso.
International Career
Putellas first debuted for the Spanish national team in 2013, coming up the youth ranks. She cinched the victory over English in her first cap, scoring her first international goal in extra time.
Today, she dominates the field as a captain and the team’s most-capped player. With the Spain national team, Putellas has won four La Liga titles.
Social Impact
Besides her technical skills and dedication to her craft, Putellas is also a role model for budding changemakers.
The soccer star, who has spoken out against Catalan Independence leaders being imprisoned, is looking to change the gender norms that often hold young women back in football.
In a November interview, the star attacking midfielder told the BBC: “Apart from the titles, I want to win for the national team and Barcelona. I would like to change football. I want to show the world that there is space for everyone in football – for men, women, all races… everyone.”
Best Foot Forward
At 27 years old, Alexia Putellas is now one of the faces of women’s football — and raising the bar for the future of the sport. This year she’s been recognized for her outstanding ability and talent by winning multiple awards on the world stage.
She’s making history and leading both her teams, Barcelona and Spain, and women’s soccer to new heights. The soccer world watches eagerly to see what she will accomplish next.
Featured image via Getty Images
_
GIRLS SOCCER NETWORK: YOUR SOURCE FOR GIRLS SOCCER NEWS
Girls Soccer Network
Your source for girls soccer news
