Spain defender Mapi Leon has joined London City Lionesses on a three-year deal following her exit from Barcelona. The 31-year-old, who spent nine years at Barcelona, played a pivotal role in their 4-0 victory over Lyon in this year's Women's Champions League final, securing the club's fourth European title.

During her time at Barcelona, Leon won an impressive 27 trophies, establishing herself as part of one of Europe's most successful teams. She reunites with former Barcelona teammate Alexia Putellas in London.

Leon boasts over 50 caps for Spain, contributing to their second Nations League title in 2025. Expressing her excitement about the move, she stated, "I'm excited and happy to be here. It's an interesting and attractive project." She further mentioned, "I wanted to test myself in another country, in another league, and playing a different type of football."

Her journey has not been without challenges; Leon boycotted the Spain national team for nearly three years due to disagreements over working conditions and conflicts with the Spanish Football Federation. She withdrew from the 2023 Women's World Cup while Spain triumphed over England in the final and missed their Euro 2025 final defeat. However, she made a comeback in October 2025, starting in the Nations League final where Spain defeated Germany 3-0.

London City Lionesses, supported by American billionaire Michele Kang, finished sixth in their inaugural WSL season and are now aiming for European qualification. The club has had a remarkable transfer window, adding notable players such as two-time Ballon d'Or winner Putellas, former England goalkeeper Mary Earps, Nicole Anyomi, and Janni Thomsen.

Leon expressed her admiration for Kang, stating, "[Kang] is an inspirational woman who wants women's football to develop and thrive." She hopes to leverage her experience and leadership to help the team succeed in the upcoming season, emphasizing her determination to continue winning with the London City Lionesses.