London City Lionesses star Alexia Putellas claimed a record-equalling third women’s Ballon d’Or.
The Spain international captained Barcelona to a quadruple last season, including Champions League glory, as she scored 26 goals and provided 15 assists for club and country.
The 32-year-old then sensationally joined London City Lionesses in one of the biggest transfers in WSL history.
Since her move in July, Putellas has scored three goals and has an assist in her seven WSL games.
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Why Putellas winning the Ballon d’Or is great for WSL
The Women’s Super League has never been able to boast a Ballon d’Or winner. Alexia Putellas’ arrival has changed that; the latest recipient of football’s most prestigious individual honour at Monday’s ceremony in London, a town she surprisingly now calls home.
While most anticipated this result, the fact she collected the prize as a player of London City Lionesses is far more surreal.
Putellas enjoyed a dream end to her 14-year career with Barcelona in May, captaining the club where she made her name to its second quadruple in three years. She was instrumental to that trophy haul. A player woven inextricably into the fabric of success.
Alexia Putellas scored seven Champions League goals for Barca last term
And so it was almost unthinkable to imagine ‘Alexia’ embroidered on any other club shirt before this summer. Only possible in fantasy games or some sort of virtual reality. But London City Lionesses are of course no ordinary football club.
Michele Kang runs an empire. Its intent is to revolutionise the women’s game. She owns Washington Spirit, OL Lyonnes and London City. The latter is the most junior of those outfits, and therefore theoretically the furthest away from reaching a point where silverware is likely – or even possible.
But Putellas took a leap of faith. She shares Kang’s vision of an even brighter future for the game she has helped transform, bringing the same distinctive style and indomitable spirit that have made her such an influential force. Because in many ways Putellas is a pioneer, the queen of a global stage she helped build. And a figure that commands respect on and off the pitch.
London City’s marquee signing of the summer was former Barcelons playmaker Alexia Putellas
So intrigued by her allure, this writer travelled to Barcelona back in April to bear witness to her 500th Blaugrana appearance against Real Madrid. It was a masterclass of artistry, and will be remembered among her many standout performances as one of the most complete.
Now on UK soil, her influence is being felt just as keenly. London City are third in the WSL table, currently on a five-game winning streak, and have developed into one of the league’s great entertainers. Only Man City and Chelsea have scored more goals since the start of April.
Putellas has had a direct hand in that this term, landing four goal involvements, but it comes as no surprise to see team-mates rise with her. The 32-year-old has a knack for making others better. Danielle van de Donk has been a creative force. Grace Geyoro a midfield machine. Delphine Cascarino more explosive than ever.
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Alexia Putellas scored two goals against Spurs
Of course all these players had such attributes before Putellas was on the scene. But are now optimising in a way that has ensured London City’s development under Eder Maestre has accelerated. Champions League qualification is actually a realistic target.
To think a club barely seven years old can claim to have a Ballon d’Or winner in its ranks is sort of ridiculous – and equally fascinating. It presents such a huge challenge to the establishment. Man City cannot ignore this. Chelsea cannot ignore this.
This is a dog-eat-dog, after all. A hustle for eyeballs. A battle to attract and then retain the next generation of supporters as well as new commercial partners to support growth. And Putellas is the greatest growth opportunity there is.
London is the hotbed of WSL talent, where half the division are situated, all within a 36-mile radius of one another. Now one club can boast a Ballon d’Or winner, you can bet attention will follow. Putellas has created a reason to divert to Bromley.
Her influence has the potential to initiate one of the greatest shifts the WSL has ever seen. Perhaps it’s already started.
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