Barcelona star Alexia Putellas has become the first female footballer to defend her Best FIFA Women’s Player Award for 2022.
On top of the world. 💫
@alexiaputellas has been crowned #TheBest FIFA Women’s Player 2022! pic.twitter.com/Wtcgg8SUmO— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) February 27, 2023
The Spanish international has seen her progress disrupted in the last 12 months, after suffering a serious knee injury in June 2022, which eventually required surgery.
Alexia Putellas wins The Best Women's Player for the second straight year 🏆
That trophy haul 🫡 pic.twitter.com/nwAGgNRnEU
— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 27, 2023
The setback was a double blow for the Catalan-born midfielder as it came in pre-tournament training for Euro 2021 and she was subsequently ruled out of the competition.
OFFICIAL: Alexia Putellas has been named The Best FIFA Women's Player 2022.#TheBest pic.twitter.com/DfD9O7K0DH
— Squawka (@Squawka) February 27, 2023
However, her previous key role in Barcelona’s dominance across all competitions was rewarded with title defence in the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year and Ballon d’Or Feminine in 2022.
ALEXIA PUTELLAS WINS THE BEST FIFA WOMEN'S PLAYER AWARD 👑 pic.twitter.com/xsWPb9SwAm
— DAZN Football (@DAZNFootball) February 27, 2023
The 29-year-old has since returned to light training with La Blaugrana and her recovery period expected to be finished completely by the summer.
✨ ¡@alexiaputellas es #TheBest! ✨
🏆 Putellas revalida el título de mejor jugadora del mundo que ya logró el año pasado.
👏🏼👏🏼 ¡𝐄𝐧𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐚! 👏🏼👏🏼 pic.twitter.com/b4LNZWMYCG
— Selección Española Femenina de Fútbol (@SEFutbolFem) February 27, 2023
Putellas remains a crucial player for both club and country, with both sides eager to get her back to full fitness in the coming months, with a potential place in Spain’s 2023 World Cup squad.
Images via Diario AS
