Spanish star Putellas leaves training early, raising doubts about the status of the Women’s World Cup

Spanish star Alexis Putellas dropped out of training on Monday amid doubts she will be fit to face Costa Rica in their opening match at the Women’s World Cup on Friday.

The two-time Ballon d’Or winner has made just six appearances as a substitute for Barcelona since April, when she returned after a 10-month hiatus with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee.

Putellas started in two of Spain’s World Cup warm-up matches, against Panama and Denmark, but missed last week’s game against Vietnam in New Zealand.

Midfielder Irene Guerrero spoke to the media at the end of training and said she hoped Putellas would be fit to play at Wellington’s Sky Stadium on Friday.

“The most important thing is that she feels good,” Guerrero said. “We are happy with her because she is an important player on and off the pitch.

“She trains hard to reach the game with the best feeling. She is a key player, just like all the other 22 players. We are all important. The whole team is important.”