Sofia Quijada
EURO 2025 is proving to be Alexia Putellas’ stage. With a jaw-dropping performance featuring two goals and two assists in Spain’s 6-2 demolition of Belgium, the Barcelona talisman claimed her second Player of the Match award in just two games—confirming that she’s back to her unstoppable best.
A Champion Reborn
Under the spotlight in Switzerland, Putellas is orchestrating Spain’s attack with flair and finesse. Her EURO 2025 tally now stands at three goals and two assists in two matches, following the earlier 5-0 rout of Portugal. It’s a red-hot return that screams Ballon d’Or credentials—possibly a record-setting third for the Spanish maestro.
What makes this campaign so symbolic is its context. Just two years ago, Putellas was sidelined from EURO 2022 with a torn ACL, watching from afar as England claimed the crown. The road back was anything but smooth—rehab, surgery setbacks, and limited impact during the 2023 World Cup.
Stat-Backed Domination
Now fully fit and back to her clinical best, the numbers are staggering. Across the 2023-24 season, Alexia racked up 16 goals and 11 assists in 24 LaLiga games and added four goals and three assists in 10 Champions League outings. These stats—combined with her resurgence since March—compelled Montse Tomé to place her at the heart of Spain’s EURO setup, especially in the absence of Aitana Bonmatí due to illness.
Technical Brilliance Meets Tactical Maturity
Against Belgium, Putellas pulled the strings from midfield like few can. She completed 88% of her passes, delivered six key passes, and recorded 110 touches—the second-highest in the match. She also struck the woodwork, underlining her relentless threat in the final third.
“I think very quickly, I see the whole game beforehand and that’s a key element for me in feeling good,” she said post-match. Her sharp football IQ and smooth interplay are driving Spain toward previously uncharted territory in the Euros—they’ve never gone past the quarter-finals before.
One Eye on the Trophy, Not the Spotlight
Despite her individual brilliance, Putellas remains focused on the collective. “Because of my position, I create chances—sometimes I finish them, sometimes it’s my teammates. This award is individual, but our success is a team effort,” she emphasized.
Spain has now sealed their place in the knockout stages, matching their best-ever EURO performance. The hunger is palpable. She praised her teammates by name—Esther González’s pressing, Claudia Pina and Mariona Caldentey’s decisions, Patri Guijarro’s midfield authority—all vital pieces in La Roja’s tactical jigsaw.
Ballon d’Or or Bust?
With her performance levels peaking and Spain firing on all cylinders, Putellas is more than just back—she’s rewriting the script. A third Ballon d’Or isn’t just within reach; it’s becoming inevitable. But for now, the focus remains squarely on lifting Spain to their first-ever European crown.