“It was difficult to imagine myself on the field” | Relief

Alexia Putellas’ experience crosses borders. The captain of Barça and the national team is a star wherever she steps. Her reputation as a champion of everything at Barça and La Roja, as well as two Ballon d’Or awards, make her a figure of global appeal. So much so that Alexia Putellas works even while on vacation. Fine The Catalan midfielder took advantage of her free days to travel to Colombia. During her tourism trip, she received the “Woman, Business and Leadership in Ibero-America” award from the Ibero-America Business Council Alliance (CEAPI) and will open an academy in Itagui.

Between one act and another, Alexia Putellas gave a new speech in the fight for equality in football. “I always give the same example. The first World Cup in which Spain participated took place in 1940, and it was only a couple of years later that women could not vote. We proceed from this difference. The men’s team will already represent their country, and within that country women cannot vote.. The system is still prepared for this natural selection to ensure that it is the man who succeeds, because changing all this is very expensive. Today it is unfair to compare men’s and women’s football, because it is a matter of time,” Alexia emphasized.

The Spanish midfielder also spoke about her start in football and thanked her surroundings for their support in continuing to fight for her dream of becoming a professional footballer. “My support comes 100% from the education my family gave me.. I will always be grateful, even though I always face obstacles… despite this, My family kept insisting that if this was my dream, I shouldn’t give up.“, he emphasized with words that touched many on social networks.

This isn’t the first time Alexia has spoken about the importance of her family and the wonderful relationship she’s always had with them. The Barca player suffered a devastating setback as a teenager after her father died of cancer, and it brought her, her mother and sister even closer to them. The images of Barça’s 11 as he won his first Ballon d’Or were emotional and the line “Wherever you are, it’s for you, dad” shocked everyone. and although the Barcelona star is very reserved on the matter, he has always said that his father’s death marked a before and an after in his life, where football became a refuge.

In addition to recognizing his family. Alexia Putellas spoke about these “barriers” and how rare it was to see a girl playing soccer as a child. “There is systematic discrimination in sport to overcome these barriers You need a strong personality, the first thing they tell you is you have to overcome it, visualize the path, overcome the stages and finally reach the best possible point.“, said Alexia, who admitted: “When we, as children, went to the Camp Nou as a family to watch the game, only men played there. It was very difficult to imagine that one day you would find yourself on this playing field. Yes, you could be in the stands, but until recently in some countries this was not accepted.“.

To this he added: “I just wanted to play football and as we grew up the path became easier. They gave us the necessary opportunities to demonstrate at the right time that we are ready. When I was born, it wasn’t often that a girl wanted to become a soccer player and devote herself to it. I’m not a fan, but I play football for a living.”

Its resumption in Barça and the culmination of the Olympic Games

Alexia will now open her new academy in Colombia, weeks after she gave the green light Eleventh Foundation. This is a global social project cwhich the two-time Ballon d’Or winner wants to help girls in football. The goal is for them to feel supported and able to participate in the sport without obstacles. “Opportunity for all girls has always been one of my concerns,” she said at the launch of her first fund.

A big social step followed by a period of greater sporting calm.. His injury is now behind him, as is the discomfort that forced him to undergo surgery last Christmas, and 11 have just renewed his contract with Barca, the club of his life. Added to this tranquility is the success of the culé team, with which it won poker (League, Cup, Super Cup and Champions), became one of the heroines of the European final with an epic goal and celebration in San Mamés. And to top it all off, the Olympic Games are coming up this summer.

In the absence of an official list from Monse Thome, Alexia is one of the favorites to participate in the national team’s first call-up to the Olympic competition.Spain makes its debut in this category.-. The Catalan is very interested in realizing another dream of hers in football.