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International

‘Soccer is a way of life’: Alexia Putellas on winning the Ballon d’Or and what’s next

Esta es la versión en inglés de nuestra entrevista exclusiva con Alexia Putellas. Suscriptores: Para leer esta historia en español, hagan clic aquí.


Less than 24 hours after lifting the Ballon d’Or in Paris, FC Barcelona captain Alexia Putellas was back on a soccer pitch wearing her Spain kit; waiting for the referee’s whistle, her mind focused on winning a Women’s World Cup qualifying match against Scotland in Seville. Fans in the stands were chanting her name, girls from local soccer academies pointed in awe to the No. 14, and a group of teenagers attending a women’s match for the first time waited eagerly for Putellas to touch the ball.

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But — as she reveals in an exclusive conversation with The Equalizer shortly after being crowned best player in the world — the Spanish midfielder says she is not aware of anything that happens off the pitch while she is in game mode. Only after being treated to a standing ovation did she let herself enjoy the moment.

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“I’m so glad to feel the fans’ recognition,” she said. “It was very moving.”

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Although the brief trip to the glittering France Football ceremony took place in the middle of the national team camp, no one there raised an eyebrow; on the other hand, the outside world of increasingly popular Spanish women’s soccer was bubbling with excitement.

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The last Spanish player to win the coveted trophy was Luis Suárez in 1960, when only men were in the running. Now, a long wait was over: the planets had aligned in Spain’s favor once again. There was a women’s Ballon d’Or — and a Spanish player had won it.

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