Alexia Putellas faced English media for the first time this week, addressing a packed room at a hotel in Maidstone after signing for London City Lionesses this summer in what is being touted as the biggest signing in WSL history. The two-time Ballon d’Or winner, known as ‘La Reina’ in Spain, captained Barcelona to a fourth Women’s Champions League title in May and is a World Cup winner with Spain.
From Barcelona to a new project
Putellas was born in Mollet del Valles in the province of Barcelona and regularly watched games at the Nou Camp as a child. She spent a year at La Masia before leaving when her girls team was disbanded, and returned to Barca in 2012 for a 14-year spell at the club. Across her career she won 38 trophies with Barcelona, including 10 league titles and four European cups, and helped Spain win the 2023 World Cup and finish runners-up at Euro 2025.
She has given up Champions League football to join London City, an independent women’s-only club in its infancy, ahead of the team’s season opener against Manchester United on 4 September. Putellas said her mentality and the moment of the project can live together, adding: ‘I’m 100% committed. I’m hungry to win, I’m hungry to be better day after day and to fight with my team-mates for the victory.’ She said an ACL injury that ruled her out of Euro 2022 changed her perspective, explaining that she now enjoys learning rather than simply having fun.
Adjusting to life in England
Putellas is still learning English and joked that a press conference discussing WSL tactics ‘maybe came early’ for her. Her manager Eder Maestre reportedly views her as like a secondary coach on the training pitch, with the ability to conduct the way the team plays. She explained that in her understanding of football language, a pass can carry a message to team-mates without a word being spoken.
Her move was marked by an unveiling alongside owner Michele Kang in New York, and she has 3.4 million followers on Instagram. A mural depicting her as a superhero was painted in her hometown, and Nike gifted her a custom gold crown after her second Ballon d’Or win. Despite the attention, Putellas said she tries simply to be herself and does not generally enjoy being the centre of attention, describing her first English press conference as ‘a little scary’.
Away from football, Putellas has been searching for a house, learning to drive in London and adapting to new surroundings. She said flats in London are not cheap, though noted the same is true in Barcelona. She has had family visit and made a list of things to do in London with best friend and team-mate Jana Fernandez, while a planned dinner with Keira Walsh had to be postponed. Friends in the WSL jokingly warned her the league is tough, telling her to enjoy the unpredictable nature of matches, including away games. Putellas has also tried a full English breakfast, saying she enjoyed the sausages and eggs but was not keen on the baked beans.
