The world’s best women’s football player in 2021, Alexia Putellas, won’t be part of Spain’s squad at Euro 2022 after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in her left knee. It was confirmed on Tuesday that Putellas suffered an injury during a training session. The Ballon d’Or winner is expected to be out for at least six months.
“The tests carried out at the King Edward VII hospital in London have confirmed that the captain of the Spanish Women’s National Team suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee,” a Spanish FA release stated.
28-year-old Putellas has 100 caps for Spain, the most from the entire squad currently at the Euros. The Barcelona player is currently considered the best women’s player in the world. Another key player for Spain, Jennifer Hermoso, was also ruled with injury before the tournament.
Amaiur Sarriegi, the Real Sociedad forward, has been called to replace Putellas on the Spanish squad. Sarriegi was part of the extended 28-player squad that needed to be cut to 23 as the tournament approached.
Euro 2022 kicks off on Wednesday when hosts England take on Austria. Spain’s first match will be against Finland, on Friday.
🔴 La internacional Alexia Putellas, camino del hospital para realizarse las pertinentes pruebas médicas que determinarán el alcance de su lesión. pic.twitter.com/Q6cvrP5dXs
— Selección Española Femenina de Fútbol (@SEFutbolFem) July 5, 2022
Euro 2022 odds
Spain is part of Group B at Euro 2020, alongside Germany, Denmark, and Finland. Even with Putellas’ absence, the Spanish players are the odds favorites to lift the trophy at the end of the month. At +300, Spain is followed by England (+400) and France, and the Netherlands (+500) at the top of the odds’ rankings.
The bookies believe Spain won’t have any major problems squeezing into the semifinals, placing them at -200 to reach the penultimate phase of the competition.
At +400, Ellen White is the favorite to become the tournament’s Golden Boot, followed by Vivianne Miedema and Marie-Antoinette Katoto at +600.
