Alexia Putellas faced a packed room of 23 journalists at a Kent hotel this week, her first extended media appearance since completing a stunning move from Barcelona to London City Lionesses. Despite some early nerves, the two-time Ballon d'Or winner soon relaxed, fielding questions in English with growing confidence and even joking about the challenges awaiting her in the Women's Super League.
The 32-year-old spent 14 trophy-filled years at Barcelona, becoming one of the most decorated players in the women's game with four Champions League titles and a World Cup winner's medal from 2023. Her decision to join London City Lionesses, who finished sixth in their maiden WSL campaign last season and were 22 points short of European qualification, represents a significant departure from the elite level of success she has grown accustomed to.
The move is part of an ambitious recruitment drive at the independently run club, backed by businesswoman Michele Kang. Alongside Putellas, London City have brought in France international Kadidiatou Diani from Lyon, Putellas's former Barcelona teammate Mapi León, and ex-England goalkeeper Mary Earps from Paris Saint-Germain.
Asked about balancing her winning mentality with joining a club still building toward silverware, Putellas explained her approach to the transition. "Both can live together, my mentality and the moment of the project. I'm going to bring to the project whatever the project needs from me, so I'm 100% committed," she said. "I'm hungry to win, to be better day after day, to fight with my teammates for the victory. I'm going to try to give my best to the team and let's see at the end of the season how good we were."
When pressed on her ambitions for the campaign, Putellas was measured rather than boastful, preferring to let performances do the talking. "I don't have expectations. I just want the hard work we are doing to speak for itself," she said. "Of course, I have a competitive mind and I want to win every game. But I don't have expectations in this sport. In my opinion, you shouldn't. Just work in the background and give everything."
Despite being named the Women's Champions League's player of the season after helping Barcelona lift their fourth European crown in six years, Putellas insists she still has room to grow — and believes English football can help her get there. "It will be different, but that's why I'm here, because I'm looking forward to improving myself," she said, adding that she hopes to become "a more complete player" by testing herself against unfamiliar opponents and playing styles.
She pointed to the physical, end-to-end nature of the WSL as a contrast to what she has known in Spain. "I really believe that moving to England can give me something more," she said. "I can control the low blocks and all this stuff; I am used to it playing in Spain. I have already controlled that, so I want different kinds of games, or box-to-box and all this stuff."
Putellas will not be entirely without familiar faces in her new surroundings — six Spanish teammates await her at London City, along with head coach Eder Maestre, who she praised for his work at Tenerife. She also revealed that former Barcelona colleagues now playing in England, including Keira Walsh and Lucy Bronze, had given her a light-hearted warning about what to expect on the pitch, joking that "they're going to kick me."
The forward, who scored twice as Spain thrashed England 4-0 in June, also touched on lighter cultural adjustments, including her first attempt at a traditional English breakfast. "It was quite different. Not the beans, but the sausages and eggs. It was fine," she said with a laugh.
As she embarks on this new chapter, Putellas's arrival is expected to raise both the profile and standard of the WSL, with London City Lionesses hoping her experience and quality can help accelerate their rise among England's elite.
Based on reporting from Guardian Football.