Alexia Putellas: Spain and Barcelona forward to have knee surgery

Alexia Putellas scored twice in her last match for Barcelona - a 5-0 Champions League win over Benfica

Spain forward Alexia Putellas is to have surgery on her left knee, her club side Barcelona have said.

The 29-year-old has not played since scoring twice in Barcelona's Champions League win over Benfica on 14 November.

She missed the 2022 Euros due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the same knee, but recovered to help Spain win the 2023 World Cup.

Barcelona said they would make "an official medical announcement" once the operation was complete.

"Alexia Putellas is undergoing this Wednesday, 27 December, an arthroscopy on her left knee," the statement read.

An arthroscopy is a medical procedure to diagnose and treat joint problems by using a fibre-optic video camera.

Putellas, who has more than 100 caps for Spain, was withdrawn from their Women's Nations League squad at the end of November.

She missed the final two group games of the competition, with Spain ultimately qualifying for the semi-finals.

They will play the Netherlands in the last four on 23 February.