In 2022, days before Putellas was set to step on the field for the UEFA Women’s Euro Tournament, she suffered a devastating ACL injury. Before her injury, she had received major accolades competing with FC Barcelona and was being recognized as one of the best players in the world. 

After nine months of rehabilitation, she was able to start training with her team again. In April 2023, she returned to her first match in the 74th minute, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. 

Recovering from this injury was more than just a physical battle. It was a time of growth, learning to take it slow and listen to her body, so she could compete at the highest level again. 

“There are times when you move forward very quickly, other times when you take one step back, then you take three steps forward. I’m a very constant person and I need to keep going because I feel that, in the elite, to not keep going is to go backwards, but to be constant,” she told the New York Times. 

 Putallas’ words of wisdom emphasize the importance of showing up for yourself every day, even if some days are a few steps backwards. Slow progress is still progress. Her journey reveals that athletes are more than just the games they play. 

They endure things that shape them as players both on and off the field. Their approach to these setbacks defines who these athletes are, not the setbacks themselves. 

Setbacks, Strength, and the Return

Being out for almost a year taught Putellas how to turn a disappointing situation into a positive one. She had to learn to be a student of the game and take on a different leadership role. Being sidelined reminded her of the importance of leading with positivity especially toward her teammates and how her presence, even off the field, still made a powerful impact. 

“People don’t know that with injuries you train more than when you’re healthy, but you don’t get the reward of playing,” she said to The Guardian.

The physical challenges were only part of the journey. Putellas described the emotional toll of essentially relearning how to walk, navigating constant pain, sleepless nights, and a lack of appetite, all of which made recovery even more difficult. With limited ability to train her lower body, she focused on upper-body strength and mental resilience. 

This is a reminder that healing isn’t just about muscles and movement. It’s about mindset, patience, and showing up every day even when the progress feels invisible.

Reclaiming the Game

In 2025, Putellas made her return to the Euro League, and it was nothing short of astonishing. Her team was victorious over Belgium, going 6-2, with Putellas scoring two goals and having two assists. A comeback like hers is rare in women’s football, proving that her work ethic is unmatched and highlighting the strength she gained through recovery.

“They go hand in hand; as an individual you think about the group and when you feel we are all together, you flow, it makes me feel good of course.. I’m feeling great,” Putellas told reporters. 

Her message remains consistent. Putellas uplifts her team and teammates, even in her most thrilling moments, because she knows true success takes more than just one person. 

Her return to the Euro League wasn’t just about personal stats. It was about proving that resilience and heart matter just as much as talent. In doing so, she inspired her teammates by showing that setbacks don’t define you, but how you respond to them does.