WOMEN'S WORLD CUP 2023
Alexia sends a calming message after injury worry
The two-time Ballon d’Or winner has caused a stir after it was reported she is still not at full fitness after tearing her ACL last summer.
Alexia has ‘disappeared’ from Spain’s group training sessions in New Zealand, something which has caused a lot of worry for the fans. However, the player has decided to send a calming message on social media about her physical state, saying that she is “turning on the engine in New Zealand”, next to a thumbs up and a wink face.
The Barça player has not been not training with the rest of the group in the final days before the World Cup and has been instead working in the gym on her own. With just one friendly game to go (against Vietnam) and a few days of preparation left before they take on Costa Rica in Wellington on July 21, her physical level is of the highest priority for Jorge Vilda.
Alexia is not to be risked ahead of the World Cup
After such a long lay off from an ACL tear that she suffered back before last year’s Euro 2022 tournament in England, no risks are to be taken with the player in the final stages before the showpiece event kicks off.
For this reason, Alexia may not feature in the game against the Asian opponents in Group E, a tie which will serve as a final testing ground for Jorge Vilda. Playing Alexia in this game would be seen as too much of a risk given the progress of her recovery process and the goal of making her fully fit for the opening game.
Will Alexia play against Vietnam?
Alexia has undergone a lot of physical work since she joined up with the national team, and played from the beginning in both of Spain’s matches against Panama and Denmark, as well as working to the same level as her teammates in Benidorm and Madrid, the locations for Spain’s pre-tournament training camps. In New Zealand, however, things have been different.
After such a long injury, small niggles are common as the body works its way back to full fitness. And in the memories of everyone working with and watching the Spain team is the thought of Alexia’s ACL and that fateful training session just before the last major tournament.
The player and staff are both aware that precautionary measures are to be taken in these final days before the curtain raises in New Zealand and this is why Alexia is not being pushed along with the rest of the squad. Recently, Zambia goalkeeper. Hazel Nali, and Germany defender, Caroline Simon, have both suffered the same injury that kept the Ballon d’Or winner out for almost a year.