Spain's Ballon d'Or Winner Alexia Putellas Returns for Women's World Cup Opener

 Spain's Ballon d'Or Winner Alexia Putellas Returns for Women's World Cup Opener

Spain's Ballon d'Or Winner Alexia Putellas Returns for Women's World Cup (Image-Getty)

Spain's esteemed football star, Alexia Putellas, the proud recipient of consecutive Ballon d'Or awards, is fully recovered and prepared to participate in the upcoming Women's World Cup opener against Costa Rica on Friday. This reassurance came directly from the team's coach, Jorge Vilda, who confirmed her readiness for the match.

Alexia had endured an extended period on the sidelines due to a knee ligament injury. However, in recent months, she made a triumphant return to the pitch, rekindling the hopes of her fans and teammates. Nonetheless, concerns surfaced about her fitness earlier in the week when she had to truncate a training session.

Coach Vilda, speaking during a media conference held in Wellington, addressed the situation and assured everyone that all players, including Alexia, would be available for the upcoming match. He emphasized the meticulous approach taken by the coaching staff to optimize Alexia's preparation and integration into the team after her return from injury.

"We are very careful with everything that we do," stated Vilda through a translator, highlighting the cautious and deliberate steps taken to ensure Alexia's well-being. He expressed the team's commitment to employing every available resource and strategy to have Alexia in top condition for the crucial match against Costa Rica.

As one of the star players for the Spanish side, Alexia Putellas is expected to play a pivotal role in their pursuit of success in the Women's World Cup. Spain is considered a frontrunner in Group C, where they will be competing against Costa Rica, Zambia, and Japan. The team's ambition is to advance far in the tournament, building on their previous performances in the 2015 and 2019 editions.

In the 2019 Women's World Cup, Spain reached the knockout stage but were eliminated in the last 16 by the eventual champions, the United States. Before that, in their debut appearance in the 2015 edition, they were unable to progress beyond the group stage. With the talented Alexia Putellas back in their ranks, Spain is determined to surpass their previous achievements and make a resounding impact on the global stage.