Putellas quits Spain training after 30 minutes, raising injury questions

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Spain star Alexia Putellas stop coaching on Monday, elevating doubts she will likely be match to play towards Costa Rica of their opening match on the Women’s World Cup on Friday.

The two-time Ballon d’Or winner has performed solely six matches as an alternative choice to Barcelona since April when she returned after a 10-month layoff with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee.

Putellas began in two of Spain’s World Cup warmup matches, towards Panama and Denmark, however missed the match towards Vietnam in New Zealand final week.

She left Spain’s coaching run at Massey University close to Palmerston North after solely half-hour on Monday throughout which she took half in passing drills and appeared comfy. A Spain staff spokesperson stated her early departure was deliberate.

Midfielder Irene Guerrero spoke to the media on the finish of coaching and stated she hoped Putellas could be match to play Friday at Wellington’s Sky Stadium.

“The most important thing is she feels OK,” Guerrero stated. “We are comfortable to have her as a result of she’s a key participant on and off the pitch.

“She’s training really hard to reach the game with the best feeling. She’s a key player, as are all the other 22 players. We are all important. All the team is important.”