ALEXIA Putellas only played 45 minutes of Spain’s 5-0 demolition of Zambia at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, but that’s all she needed to demonstrate her quality. In that time, the two-time Ballon d’Or produced a stunning assist and provided the driving force behind a Spain team aiming to go all the way in Australia and New Zealand this summer.

“Talent is never lost. Especially not in the best player in the world,” said teammate Jennifer Hermoso after Putellas’ eye-catching performance. This was Putellas first international start for over a year. Jorge Vilda is still managing the midfielder’s minutes as she regains fitness, but an in-form Putellas could transform Spain’s World Cup chances. They might even be favourites.

Spain have started the tournament well. They have scored eight goals across their first two fixtures, dominating Costa Rica and Zambia by every measure – Spain registered a Women’s World Cup-record 46 shots against Costa Rica. Even without Putellas, Vilda boasts one of the strongest squads in the competition.

Aitana Bonmati is one of the sharpest technical operators in women’s football. She is capable of dictating play from deep, as he did against Zambia, but is also exceptional at pushing higher into the attacking third where Spain benefits from her creativity – Bonmati played, and scored, in this position against Costa Rica.

Hermoso is a world class all-round forward while Teresa Abelleira has shone as one of the best midfield anchors at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Then there’s Athenea del Castillo, Mariona Caldentey, Ona Batlle and Irene Paredes, all of whom are good enough to play for any team in the world. Spain have depth in almost every area of their squad.

Putellas, however, is something different. Her dribbling and ability to beat an opponent gives Spain a different dimension as a possession-orientated team. In a match against a stubborn low defensive block, Putellas could be the difference-maker. She could be the one to break open a game for Spain, particularly in the knockout rounds when matches will be tighter.

It’s not just Putellas’ individual quality that makes Spain a stronger outfit, it’s the way she makes teammates around her better too. There were signs of Putellas’ natural understanding with Hermoso, who she played alongside for a number of seasons at Barcelona, in the 45-minute performance against Zambia and the 13 minutes she played off the bench against Costa Rica.

Bonmati and Putellas, also Barcelona teammates, similarly operate on the same wavelength, giving Spain fluidity in the final third. Putellas might have missed 12 months of international action through injury and a much-publicised rebellion against Vilda, but all the old on-pitch relationships are still there.

“We are trying to optimise her training to get the best Alexia,” Vilda explained after the win over Costa Rica, outlining why Putellas had started the match on the bench when so many expected her to play from the beginning. “We are treating her very gently so that she is in the best condition to be able to play.”

While Spain have never before made it past the last 16 of a Women’s World Cup, the country has produced something of a golden generation. Barcelona have won the Women’s Champions League in two of the last three seasons and finished last season by winning a Treble with a core of homegrown players, of which Putellas is one.

In the club game, Spain is established as a superpower. Barcelona have set the standard at the top of the European club game and Spain can do the same for international football at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Euro 2022 was a disappointment as Vilda’s team only made the quarterfinals, where they lost to eventual winners England. This summer, Spain might finally have the pieces in place to go all the way.