Spain midfielder Alexia Putellas was the top scorer in the Champions League with 11 goals while she also finished with 18 strikes in the league; Spain begin their group stage campaign against Finland on Friday
Wednesday 6 July 2022 10:20, UK
Spain midfielder and Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas will miss the Women's European Championship after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament in training, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) said on Tuesday.
Putellas, who was also named the FIFA Best Women's Player earlier this year, was at the heart of the Barcelona women's team which won the Spanish league and finished runners-up in the Champions League.
She was the top scorer in the Champions League with 11 goals while she also finished with 18 strikes in the league.
The RFEF said: "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."
Putellas was the top scorer in the Champions League with 11 goals while she also finished with 18 strikes in the league.
"Alexia Putellas suffered a sprain in her left knee during the training session of the Spanish women's national team," RFEF said in a statement, before an MRI scan determined the extent of the injury.
Spain, one of the favourites to lift the Euros, begin their group stage campaign against Finland in Milton Keynes on Friday.
Spanish media reported Real Sociedad forward Amaiur Sarriegi will replace Putellas in Spain's squad for the Euros.
Analysis from Karen Bardsley:
"I'm gutted for her this close to the tournament, especially after the season she has had domestically.
"You do not want to read too much into these things - did she get enough rest on the back of a domestic season into an international tournament and you start asking those questions.
"For me, she was definitely going to be the one to watch, I did pick Spain to go all the way to the final initially and to win it. And she was up there for Golden Boot, so this news has thrown a spanner in the works.
"It is a huge (blow), she was a key part of their success and a huge part of their midfield. I can't personally attest to how far she drives the team in terms of motivation, but I imagine she is one of the leaders, so it will be difficult to replace her.
"But fortunately they have a lot of youth that hopefully will step up."
Keep up with all the latest from Euro 2022 across Sky Sports and Sky Sports News this summer.
Coverage will be anchored by Sky Sports WSL presenter Caroline Barker, alongside Jessica Creighton and Kyle Walker. Meanwhile, Karen Carney, Sue Smith, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk and Laura Bassett will give analysis throughout the tournament.
They will also be joined by experienced England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley and Manchester City defender Esme Morgan.
The pundits and presenters will work from the Sky Sports Women's Euro 2022 Mobile Presentation Bus, which will follow the Sky Sports News team around the country to the various stadiums where matches are being played.
In addition, Sky Sports' Essential Football Podcast will be rebranded for the tournament to Sky Sports Women's Euros Podcast rom 21 June. Hosted by Charlotte Marsh and Anton Toloui, it will feature exclusive news and player interviews in addition to a strong programme line-up around the tournament.
