Theguardian iconTheguardianAug 15, 2026 ~1 min source read

London City Lionesses’ Mapi León: ‘It is a club created for women. It is beautiful and exciting’

Fear not, the Spain centre-back is in as banterous and jovial a mood as you could imagine any new signing to be, as she embarks on her first major interview since signing for the Women's Super League club. Across the course of our conversation, in bright sunshine outside a quiet hotel near Maidstone, it is evident that the 31-year-old could scarcely be happier about her decision to swap Barcelona for south-east England.

London City Lionesses’ Mapi León: ‘It is a club created for women. It is beautiful and exciting’

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Fear not, the Spain centre-back is in as banterous and jovial a mood as you could imagine any new signing to be, as she embarks on her first major interview since signing for the Women's Super League club.

Across the course of our conversation, in bright sunshine outside a quiet hotel near Maidstone, it is evident that the 31-year-old could scarcely be happier about her decision to swap Barcelona for...

She says she likes the "little bread" in the morning, and we eventually establish she is referring to crumpets, and reveals: "I like the beans in the morning.

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Fear not, the Spain centre-back is in as banterous and jovial a mood as you could imagine any new signing to be, as she embarks on her first major interview since signing for the Women's Super League club. Across the course of our conversation, in bright sunshine outside a quiet hotel near Maidstone, it is evident that the 31-year-old could scarcely be happier about her decision to swap Barcelona for south-east England. She says she likes the "little bread" in the morning, and we eventually establish she is referring to crumpets, and reveals: "I like the beans in the morning.

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  • My Spanish teammates like Alexia [Putellas] and Jana [Fernández] are like: 'What are you doing eating beans in the morning?

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Spain defender on swapping Barcelona for Bromley, embracing the contrasting style of the WSL – and her newfound love for beans and crumpets 'No, I can't, I'm sorry, it's a secret!" Mapi León roars with laughter, in response to being asked what persuaded her to join London City Lionesses. She is sorely missing her cat, Bagheera ("Here, you ask for so many things for pets, you can't [really] fly with them, it's so many documents, so many things") but, that aside, she is buoyant, relaxed and clearly embracing English life. You need to train.' I go: 'No, it's fine I like it.'" Continue reading...

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