Alexia Putellas has arrived at London City Lionesses with a clear purpose: not to coast on her reputation, but to challenge herself in unfamiliar surroundings. The 32-year-old former Barcelona midfielder, a two-time Ballon d’Or Féminin winner, spoke openly at the club’s pre-season media day about what drew her to a side that finished sixth in their debut Women’s Super League campaign, rather than joining a title-chasing roster elsewhere in England or the United States.
She didn’t take the easy road. Putellas described the WSL as highly unpredictable week to week, saying it was precisely that competitiveness that attracted her, according to FromTheSpot. She acknowledged the move would bring significant change but framed that as the whole point, expressing her desire to grow both as a footballer and as a person.
Why She Chose Michele Kang’s Project
London City’s appeal, FromTheSpot reported, was rooted in owner Michele Kang’s long-term vision for the club. Putellas spent her career at Barcelona winning four UEFA Women’s Champions League titles. Yet she opted for a project still finding its footing in the top flight rather than one already at its peak.
She arrived to find several familiar faces at the Cobdown Park training base. Mapi León, Jana Fernández, María Pérez, and Lucía Corrales had all made the move from Barcelona before her. Putellas acknowledged that their presence made her early adaptation smoother, while being clear it was not the deciding factor in her choice.
Advice From Former Teammates
Before committing, Putellas sought guidance from a range of former colleagues with English football experience. She consulted Keira Walsh, Lucy Bronze, and Ona Batlle — all of whom had recently moved to London themselves, as well as the Barcelona-connected players already at City. The message was consistent.
Their advice, per FromTheSpot, was straightforward: embrace the league and enjoy it. Putellas noted with some amusement that some had warned her about the physical intensity of the game, joking that they told her she would get kicked, before clarifying the real message was simply to relish the experience.
The Goal: A More Complete Player
Putellas was direct about what she wants from the move. She told those gathered at the media day that her aim is to become a more complete player by learning new things and finding her limits. She expects the process to take time given the scale of the change involved, but said she was genuinely excited about what lies ahead.
For a player who has won almost every major honour available at club level, the WSL offers a fresh stage. An international Euros title remains absent from her collection given England’s dominance in recent years.
London City’s rise from the lower tiers of English football to the top flight has been rapid. Signing one of the sport’s most decorated midfielders is a statement of intent. The club’s ambitions for the seasons ahead are unmistakable.
This report is based on a single source, yahoo.com, and has not been independently verified.
