Esports

The distinction recognises their work to give visibility to and promote women’s sport from their position as role-models in their respective sports, as well as their social commitment and exemplary conduct on and off the pitch.

Àlexia Putellas is the captain of the first division women’s team with FC Barcelona. She plays as an attacker or a midfielder and has a record number of international caps with the Spanish national team. Putellas has played a part in helping the women’s football league turn professional and in 2021 she was named the UEFA woman footballer of the season, was awarded FIFA’s The Best Award for 2021 and also became the first Catalan woman to win the Ballon d’Or. These achievements prompted the Government of Catalonia to award her the Creu de Sant Jordi for her role in promoting women’s sport.

Laia Palau has had a long and outstanding career as a basketball player and a promoter for sport. She made her debut in the Spanish league in the 2002-2003 season, notching up a huge number of victories before retiring in 2021. She played for the Spanish national team from 2002 onwards, becoming captain in 2014. Playing for Spain, she became European champion on three occasions (2013, 2017 and 2019), runner-up in the world championships (2014) and runner-up in the Olympics (2016).

Having played 315 matches and won 12 medals in top-flight competitions, she announced her retirement on 8 November 2021. The same year, the Spanish government awarded her the Cruz Grande del Real Orden del Mérito Deportivo: the highest state recognition in the field of physical activity and sport.