Ballon d'Or winner Alexia Putellas will not play for Spain in the women's European Championship after tearing her knee ligament in training on the eve of the tournament, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) said on Tuesday.
"The tests carried out on the Spanish international ... have confirmed that the captain of the Spanish Women's National Team suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee," the RFEF said in a statement.
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Putellas, who is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, was at the heart of the Barcelona women's team which won the Spanish league and finished runners-up in the Champions League.
Named FIFA Best Women's Player earlier this year, she was the top scorer in the Champions League with 11 goals while she also finished with 18 strikes in the league.
"Alexia Putellas suffered a sprain in her left knee during the training session of the Spanish women's national team," RFEF said in a statement, before the medical tests determined the extent of the injury.
Spain, one of the favourites to lift the Euros, begin their group stage campaign against Finland in Milton Keynes, England on Friday.
Spanish media reported that Real Sociedad forward Amaiur Sarriegi will replace Putellas in Spain's squad for the Euros.