Alexia Putellas is a professional footballer from Spain who plays as a midfielder for FC Barcelona Femení, the women's football team of FC Barcelona, as well as being part of the World Cup winning squad of 2022. Here are some amazing facts about one of the best football players in the world – and beyond!

1. She was born in Spain!

Alèxia Putellas Segura was born in Mollet del Vallès on the coast of Spain on 4 February 1994 and would change the face of women's football in years to come.

2. She has always supported Barcelona!

Alexia has been a Barcelona fan ever since she was young. She would go to games at Camp Nou with her dad and watch them on TV whenever possible! She has said that her favourite Barca players were Andrés Iniesta, Rivaldo, and Ronaldinho! She also was inspired by Olympique Lyonnais star Louisa Nécib!

3. She played basketball when she was a child!

Before playing football, Alexia played basketball, a sport loved by her family. She took up the sport at a summer camp and started playing lots when she was just 7 years old.

4. She started her professional career at RCD Espanyol Femení!

She started playing football for for Sabadell in 2001. Four years later, she joined the Barcelona girls' youth team for a short spell, before joining RCD Espanyol Femení. There, she grew as a player in the youth team before going pro in 2008.

5. She joined Barcelona in 2012!

After leaving RCD Espanyol Femení in 2011, she joined Levante UD Femenino for one season. After that, she signed with Barcelona. Since then, she's helped win UEFA Women's Champions League, La Liga F, Copa de la Reina, and the Spanish Supercopa. And that's just for starters. She's one of the side's star players and has helped the growing popularity of the sport, particularly in Europe.

6. She made her senior international debut in 2013!

Alexia has played regularly for the Spanish team since she was a teenager. She made her senior debut in a friendly against Denmark in June 2013. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. The day after the game, she was included in the 23-player squad for the 2013 European Championship finals in Sweden!

7. She's a World Cup winner!

In the summer of 2023, Putellas was part of the Spanish side who won the FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia. They beat the Lionesses at Sydney's Stadium Australia on August 20 in a tense showdown which ended 1-0!

8. She's won the Ballon d'Or twice!

Putellas was presented with the Ballon d'Or Féminin in 2021 and 2022. Her Barcelona team-mate Aitana Bonmatí won the award in 2023 and we're sure she was chuffed for her football friend!

9. She's also won a lot of individual awards!

While it would take us all week to list her achievements, it's definitely worth pointing out that Alexia has won the UEFA Women's Player of the Year, International Sports Press Association – Best Female Athlete of the Year, UEFA Women's Champions League Midfielder of the Season and World Soccer Women's World Player of the Year. Her shelves must be creaking under the weight of medals!

10. She was named top of the The 100 Best Female Footballers In The World... twice!

The Guardian newspaper and football podcast The Offside Rule declared the Barcelona midfielder to be the cream of the crop in their list of greatest footballers in 2021 and 2022!

11. She can speak three languages!

Along with Catalan and Spanish, Alexia started to learn English a few years ago. English is pretty handy when calling to team-mate and Lioness legend Lucy Bronze for the ball during their Barcelona games!

12. She won the same award as Lionel Messi!

In 2021, she was awarded the Creu de Sant Jordi, to recognise her services to Catalonia. Only three footballers have ever won this special prize, including the total GOAT Lionel Messi and Dutch legend Johan Cruyff!

13. She has a pet dog!

Alexia has a pet Pomeranian named Nala, who has their own Instagram account. Her pet attended the premier of a special Amazon show named 'Alexia: Labor Omnia Vincit' and was obviously given the VIP treatment (that's Very Important Pooch, by the way).

14. She's a record breaker!

Alexia is the first player to pick up the UEFA Women's Player of the Year award and the Ballon d'Or Féminin... twice in a row!

15. Her nickname is 'The Queen' (but in Spanish)!

Because she's so brilliant at footie, Alexia has been named 'La Reina' by the fans. This means 'the queen' as well as pure and wise.