Spain can count on leader Alexia Putellas at the World Cup. Three players who actually no longer wanted to play for the national team are back in the squad.
With the recovered two-time world footballer Alexia Putellas and three players who actually no longer wanted to play for the national team out of protest, Spain is going into the women’s football World Cup.
The 29-year-old Putellas, who missed the European Championships last year due to a cruciate ligament rupture, is part of the 23-strong squad for the World Championships from July 20 to August 20 in Australia and New Zealand, along with Aitana Bonmati, Mariona Caldentey and Ona Batlle.
Problems with the Spanish federation
Bonmati, Caldentey and Batlle have all appeared to have changed their position vis-à-vis the federation and criticized coach Jorge Vilda, while defender Mapi Leon, midfielder Patri Guijarro and goalkeeper Sandra Panos of Champions League winners FC Barcelona are absent.
In September 2022, the sextet was one of a total of 15 players who had asked not to be considered for the selection for the time being. The Spanish football association RFEF then spoke of the players’ resignation, but they immediately denied it. They wouldn’t have called for the coach’s resignation either.
According to the media, the players had complained that unspecified “incidents” had affected their “emotional state” and their health “in an important way”. The association had demanded an apology from the players as a prerequisite for the reinsertion. The 41-year-old Vilda has been the head coach of the Spanish women since 2015. Spain will face Costa Rica, Zambia and Japan in the group stage of the World Cup.