Spain talisman Alexia Putellas has been ruled out of Euro 2022 after rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) just three days before her country are due to kick off their European Championship campaign.
Having already lost all-time top scorer Jenni Hermoso to a knee sprain in the build-up to the tournament, Spain have been dealt a second huge blow to their tournament chances after Putellas suffered the serious knee injury in training.
The 28-year-old underwent medical tests in London to assess the full severity of the injury on Tuesday afternoon, and the Spanish national team have confirmed she has ruptured the ACL in her left knee.
A statement released by the Spanish national team read: “The tests carried out on the Spanish international on the afternoon of this Tuesday, July 5, 2022, at King Edward VII’s hospital in London, have confirmed that the captain of the Spanish Women’s National Team suffers a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee.”
The news is a blow to Spain’s chances of lifting a major trophy for the first time in the history of the women’s team this summer. Putellas has netted 27 goals in 100 appearances for the national team, scooped the Ballon d’Or in 2021, and is regarded as the finest player in world football.
The Barcelona captain is the latest international star to miss Euro 2022, alongside compatriot Hermoso and Germany’s Dzsenifer Marozsan, who is sitting out of the tournament after suffering her own ACL injury.
Spain – heralded as many people’s favourites for Euro 2022 – begin their campaign against Finland at Stadium MK on Friday evening.