In the hype around a big tournament, it’s easy to build a narrative that begins and ends with a team’s biggest star. But the players who make or break a squad are often further down the depth chart. Their success or failure will dictate a team’s tournament. These are The Influencers.
The series is exclusive to members of The Equalizer Extra. Start your free trial now and get 40% OFF your first year of annual subscription — this week only — with code “worldcup”.
María Pilar “Mapi” León
Date of birth: 13 June 1995
Place of birth: Zaragoza, Spain
Position: Defence
Superpower: Endless energy
Maybe center backs get a bad rap, but often enough we think of them as the least mobile of all the outfield players. The tall women who amble their way from one box to the other at set pieces and try to get back as fast as their legs will carry them to prevent a counterattack. If the slow, almost lethargic center back is the archetype, Mapi León is reinventing the role.
Continue reading…
The entire article is accessible only to members of The Equalizer Extra. Already a member? Awesome! Please sign in below. If not, you can sign up below.
