Alexia Putellas Included in Spain’s Women’s World Cup Squad: A Stellar Addition to the Team

**Spain Midfielder Alexia Putellas Included in World Cup Squad**

Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas has been named in coach Jorge Vilda’s 23-player squad for the upcoming Women’s World Cup. Putellas, along with three other players who protested against the country’s federation, will represent Spain in the tournament.

**Recovering from Injury, Putellas Set to Play at the World Cup**

After sustaining a knee injury on the eve of the European Championship last year, Putellas was forced to sit out the tournament. However, the Barcelona player has now recovered and is set to participate in the World Cup, which begins on July 20. Putellas underwent surgery in July last year and returned to action with Barcelona in April after nine months of recovery. The 29-year-old midfielder has more than 100 caps for Spain.

**Player Protest**

In September, 15 Spain players threatened to quit the national team in protest against coach Jorge Vilda. The players expressed their concerns about Vilda’s handling of team training and selection, as well as the locker room atmosphere. As a result, Vilda excluded those players from the squad for friendlies against Sweden and the United States. However, during the announcement of his provisional World Cup squad last month, Vilda called up Mariona Caldentey, Aitana Bonmati, and Ona Batlle.

**Selections and Exclusions**

The Barcelona trio, Caldentey, Bonmati, and Batlle, have retained their spots in the final 23-player squad. However, Vilda had to make some tough choices and left out Elene Lete, Jana Fernandez, Fiamma Benitez, Inma Gabarro, Maite Oroz, and Alba Redondo from the initial squad list. Additionally, Sheila Garcia dropped out of the provisional squad due to injury. Notably, key players such as Patri Guijarro, Mapi Leon, and Sandra Panos from Barcelona were also not selected by Vilda.

**Spain’s World Cup History**

This will only be Spain’s third appearance at the Women’s World Cup. In the previous editions, they reached the last 16 in 2019 and the group stage in 2015. In 2019, Spain was eliminated by the eventual winners, the United States. This year, Spain is placed in Group C alongside Zambia, Costa Rica, and Japan. In preparation for the tournament, Spain recently defeated Panama 7-0 in a friendly match. They will also face Denmark before flying to New Zealand for their World Cup campaign.

**Spain Squad for the World Cup**

The following is the list of players selected by coach Jorge Vilda for the Women’s World Cup:

**Goalkeepers:** Cata Coll, Misa Rodriguez, Enith Salon

**Defenders:** Ivana Andres, Ona Batlle, Olga Carmona, Laia Codina, Rocio Galvez, Oihane Hernandez, Irene Paredes

**Midfielders:** Tere Abelleira, Aitana Bonmati, Irene Guerrero, Jenni Hermoso, Maria Perez, Alexia Putellas, Claudia Zornoza

**Forwards:** Mariona Caldentey, Athenea del Castillo, Esther Gonzalez, Eva Navarro, Salma Paralluelo, Alba Redondo.