The 32-year-old went on to win 38 trophies with Barcelona, including 10 league titles and four European cups.
She was awarded back-to-back Ballon d’Or crowns in 2021 and 2022 and is favourite to win it again this year.
Internationally, she helped Spain win the 2023 World Cup and finish runners-up at Euro 2025.
But Putellas is not done. When asked if she can still get better, she laughed and said: “Yeah, of course. Always. Day after day, I want to learn things.
“That’s the way I see this job. Just keep going, never stop and be as good as I can.”
She described the journey she has embarked on at London City Lionesses as one that can help her “find where my limits are” as a footballer.
Putellas is enjoying pre-season but her focus never fully switches off.
“It’s all about Manchester United,” she says as she looks ahead to London City’s season opener on 4 September (19:00 BST).
She has given up Champions League football to join London City, an independent women’s-only club in its infancy. Will she need to adapt her mindset?
“Both can live together, my mentality and the moment of the project. I’m going to bring to the project whatever it needs from me,” she added.
“I’m 100% committed. I’m hungry to win, I’m hungry to be better day after day and to fight with my team-mates for the victory.”
Her competitiveness shines through in every conversation.
She is handed a present – a game based on the London underground – by BBC Sport.
“Oh yes, I will play with Freya Godfrey, then I can win. I will tell her that,” she jokes.
That winning mentality has never changed – but she gained a new perspective when an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury ruled her out of Euro 2022 on the eve of the tournament.
“Since the ACL injury, I enjoy everything. It’s not enjoying just having fun, it’s about learning something, and then I enjoy learning that thing,” she added.
“I’m just a person who loves what she does. I love competition, I love football, I love training, I love to improve.
“I’m just always looking forward to better things and that’s why I’m here too, because I always need to be moving as a person and a player.”
