Mapi León cannot stop laughing when asked what convinced her to leave Barcelona for London City Lionesses. "No, I can't, I'm sorry, it's a secret!" the Spain centre-back says, setting a lighthearted tone for her first extended interview since making the switch to the Women's Super League this summer.
Speaking near Maidstone in Kent, the 31-year-old defender appears completely at ease with her decision, even as she adjusts to some unfamiliar aspects of English life. She admits to missing her cat, Bagheera, who was left behind in Spain due to the logistical complications of pet travel, but otherwise seems to be settling in well. Among her new discoveries are crumpets, which she initially described only as "little bread," and a fondness for beans at breakfast that has puzzled some of her former Barcelona teammates, including Alexia Putellas, who has joined her at the London club.
León spent nine years at Barcelona after arriving from Atlético Madrid in 2017, establishing herself as one of the finest ball-playing central defenders of her generation. Her trophy cabinet from that spell includes seven league titles, seven Copa de la Reina triumphs, and four Champions League crowns. Leaving that level of success behind for a club that finished sixth in the WSL last season was, she explains, driven by a need for fresh challenges rather than comfort.
"My body was craving something different," León said. "Playing at Barça has been absolutely wonderful... coming to England, the football is very different from the Spanish one, at first glance. So, I think being able to challenge myself and see if I am capable [was the reason]. I am going to make an effort to adapt to this league and also to show myself that I'm able to compete in another style of play."
Her move follows Spain's 4-0 victory over England in Mallorca in June, a match that featured four players who would go on to leave Barcelona that summer — León, Putellas, Ona Batlle (now at Arsenal), and Salma Paralluelo (now at Lyon). London City Lionesses have also added other high-profile names, including former England goalkeeper Mary Earps and France winger Kadidiatou Diani, reflecting the ambitions of American owner Michele Kang.
León spoke admiringly of Kang's vision for the club. "The impression I get is of an empowered woman, with a winning mindset, driven by a desire to see things improve and a drive to win," she said. "I want to be part of it because it is a club created for women and that is not common, I think it is beautiful and exciting."
Despite their signings being announced within days of each other in July, León clarified that she and Putellas made their decisions independently. "I think we take the issue of personal matters very seriously," she said, emphasizing that the choice to leave a dominant league for a rebuilding project was deeply personal for each player.
Tactically, León sees plenty to gain from English football, particularly its faster transitions and higher pressing compared to the more conservative structures common in Spain. "I'd like to bring a bit of calm to the game," she explained, noting her preference for controlling tempo from the back. She praised the WSL's intensity, saying the league doesn't allow players "to relax even for a second."
Off the pitch, León is enjoying a level of anonymity she rarely experienced in Barcelona. "I can just walk to buy food, and no one recognises me!" she said, acknowledging the novelty of blending into a crowd after years of recognition in Spain.
London City Lionesses begin their WSL campaign at home against Manchester United on 4 September, when León will look to bring her international pedigree to a club aiming to establish itself among England's elite.
Based on reporting from The Guardian.