Putellas Hungry to Win…

Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas has expressed her eagerness to succeed and her solid commitment to her new team, the London City Lionesses, as she looks to enhance her skills as a player.

After spending 14 successful years with Barcelona, where she was affectionately known as ‘La Reina’ (the Queen), Putellas left the European powerhouse following the convincing pitch by owner Michele Kang about her ambitious project in the Women’s Super League (WSL), which she believes is the right step forward for her career at 32.

Putellas was officially introduced alongside Kang in New York, marking what is considered one of the most significant transfers in WSL history.

Despite the stir around her departure from Barcelona to join a team that finished sixth in the WSL, Putellas found the challenge appealing.

“The first conversation I had was centered around the club’s ambitions and what they want to achieve,” Putellas shared during her introductory press conference in London. “I want to be part of this journey, contributing my experience while also learning to evolve as a player to become more well-rounded. I made this move to explore different positions that I haven’t played before, and I believe this league can offer that opportunity.”

“It will certainly be different, but that’s why I’m here — I want to improve myself as both a footballer and an individual. I aim to become as complete a player as possible by discovering my limits through playing and learning from others. This transition is significant, and it will take time, but I’m incredibly excited to be here.”

Leaving behind Barcelona, a historic club with multiple Champions League titles, for London City Lionesses is a bold move for Putellas, particularly as London City is a relatively new club, established in 2019 after parting ways with Millwall Lionesses and has just one season in the top tier.

Nonetheless, Putellas is thrilled about the challenge, having won every possible accolade at Barcelona — a total of 38 trophies, including 10 Liga F titles — and she holds the record for the most goals scored for the women’s team at 232, trailing only Lionel Messi (672) in the club’s history.

“My mentality and the project’s vision can coexist,” she stated regarding her transition. “I’m fully committed to this project and I’m eager to win, improving every day and working hard with my teammates to achieve our goals. We’ll see how successful we are at the end of the season.”

Despite the significant adjustment for the two-time Ballon d’Or winner — becoming the first to compete in the WSL — Putellas insisted she doesn’t bring expectations with her to England.

“Honestly, I have no expectations. I want the hard work we’re putting in during this pre-season and throughout the season to be the focus. The competition is fierce, as you know. While I strive to win every game and possess a competitive mindset, I think it’s important to avoid expectations in this sport. Dedication should come first; we must give our all in each match.”

Recognized as one of the most competitive leagues globally, the WSL has attracted top players and significant investments, something that has not gone unnoticed by Putellas. She appreciates the ambition behind London City’s efforts and their drive to shake up the established dominance in the English game.

“The unpredictability in outcomes week-to-week is what appeals to me,” she remarked. “We’re yet to kick things off, but I imagine every match will thoroughly test our limits. This league is incredibly exciting, and I think that’s a key attraction for fans.”

Putellas believes there is still room for her to grow and improve her game, expressing a desire to expand her skill set. After dedicating 14 years to Barcelona, she has approached her transition to a new club and league with an open mind.

“I’m ready for whatever comes my way on this journey,” she added. “This marks a new chapter. I’m not trying to recreate my experiences at Barça. It’s vital to accept that it’s a different game here. I know I have skills to offer, and I will do my best for my team, but it’s a learning curve. For instance, I’ve noticed that the spaces on the pitch can feel bigger than what I’m used to. I plan to absorb every experience and hopefully become a better player through this process.”

However, there are certainly familiar aspects for her, as Kang has recruited numerous former Barcelona staff and several of Putellas’ past teammates, including Mapi León, Jana Fernández, María Pérez, and Lucía Corrales, to share in her ambitious vision.

That said, she clarified that these connections did not influence her move but did facilitate an easier adaptation to England and the new club.

As she begins to settle into her new life, Putellas has been busy finding an apartment, learning the local shopping spots, and navigating London — all adjustments since she had not resettled somewhere new since moving from Levante to Barcelona in 2012. Despite her 15-year career, all her club football had previously been in Spain.

“I’ve been on the lookout for an apartment and figuring out where to shop—just everyday things that I was already accustomed to in Barcelona. Here, every experience is new for me. I’m a laid-back person, so each day, I learn more about what life entails in London, especially with the heavy traffic. But I’m genuinely happy to be here.

“I even tried an English breakfast recently. It’s quite different from what we have in Spain. As I said, I’m open-minded about embracing various aspects of [English] culture.”