Alexia Putellas: "We must get close to excellence, our confidence is at 100%"

As one of the five captains of the national team, Alexia Putellas answered journalists' questions just over 24 hours before the European Championships semi-final against Germany while beaming with excitement: "I’m feeling good, full confidence in what we’re creating, in the mentality we have, in the way we’ve played throughout the Euros. Confidence is at 100%. It will be a very tough match like any semi-final of a major tournament but we go in with maximum motivation to keep moving forward and to make history."

After missing the last European Championships, qualifying for this one “means the same as it does for any of my teammates, a reason for joy, we go into it with excitement and confidence in ourselves. Ahead of us are Germany, and they will be very difficult."

The level Spain have been playing at allows for one to dream: "It’s definitely difficult to know how far Spain can go, we’re going to try to reach our first final, which would be a great success. Every competition has its challenges."

🎙️ "Estamos preparadas para todo".

🗣️ @alexiaputellas, internacional de la @sefutbolfem.#WEURO2025 | #JugarLucharYGanar pic.twitter.com/tRvFH6odTo

— Selección Española Femenina de Fútbol (@SEFutbolFem) July 22, 2025

On the precedents and the experiences at last summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, the player from Mollet del Vallès stressed that “everyone tries to find their way to write history. I see it as an opportunity rather than a chance at revenge. The Olympics was a completely different competition. It’s a totally different context, it will have no bearing on the Euros. At the end of the day, it was an opponent we lost to and tomorrow we have the chance to beat them for the first time.”

The FC Barcelona midfielder knows that the team and each of the 23 players in the squad must give their all and be at their best: “We have to do what we’ve been doing and look to perfect it. There are four teams left and we have to get close to excellence and even that doesn’t guarantee winning it, that’s how this sport works and that’s the magic of it. If we get close to our best version collectively and individually, we trust that we can make it to the final.”

The double Ballon d'Or winner reflected on the evolution and attention women’s football is getting during this European Championships and the number of people watching the matches: “we are a big family,” joked the captain, “the success is the fruit of many people, just look at a match from previous Euros and compare it to this one, the level is rising, it was only a matter of time before this happened.”

🎙️ "Esta Eurocopa es la muestra de que, gracias al trabajo de todos, el nivel está subiendo".

🗣️ @alexiaputellas.#WEURO2025 | #JugarLucharYGanar pic.twitter.com/1dGE1AtJQt

— Selección Española Femenina de Fútbol (@SEFutbolFem) July 22, 2025

Germany’s goalkeeper was key to their progress to the semi-finals, and facing her is a privilege for Alexia: “Playing against the best is always a pleasure, it pushes you to new limits and with our mindset, we love pushing ourselves. Berger is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, with a lot of experience, and she will push us to give our best.”

“Germany can transition very quickly” so Putellas expects a difficult match against a strong opponent and her personal way of handling pre-match nerves is this: “if I’m nervous, I listen to music or talk with family and friends, but we’re ready for a challenge like this.”

Watch Alexia Putellas’s press conference ahead of the semi-final against Germany again