Putellas makes a comeback to lead a divided Spain, while Sinclair aims to leave her legacy.

 

When Spain takes on Costa Rica in their Women's World Cup Group C opener in Wellington on Friday, Alexia Putellas, a two-time Ballon d'Or winner, will step onto the pitch with redemption in mind. She missed the European Championship last year due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury but returned to action in April, earning her spot in the national team.

Even during her time on the sidelines after surgery, Putellas supported her teammates both on and off the pitch. Last year, when 15 players filed complaints against coach Jorge Vilda, citing mismanagement of injuries, a negative locker room atmosphere, and problematic training methods, Putellas played a crucial role in uniting the team and calming tensions.

Although three of the players who complained were later called up, there was an uneasy truce as Spain approached the World Cup. Vilda, backed by the federation, has promised harmony despite the high expectations on the team's shoulders, especially now that they are ranked sixth in the world, a significant improvement from their previous position in the 20s.

Spain and Costa Rica made their World Cup debut in 2015 and previously faced each other in the group stage, playing to a draw. Since then, Spain has become one of the favorites for the championship.

On the other hand, Canadian veteran Christine Sinclair, participating in her third World Cup, aims to achieve a remarkable feat by becoming the first player, male or female, to score in six World Cups when they face Nigeria in Melbourne. Sinclair, the game's all-time leading international goal scorer with 190 goals, remains competitive at the age of 40 and hopes her legacy leaves the sport in a better place.

However, another 40-year-old player, Nigerian center back Onome Ebi, stands in Sinclair's way. If they face each other on the field, it will be the first time two players in their forties compete against each other in a FIFA competition.