From triumphs on one side to heartbreak on the other, Manchester City Women’s stars Alex Greenwood, Jess Park, and Laia Aleixandri find themselves at the epicentre of one of international football’s most dynamic rivalries: England vs Spain. But inside the City dressing room, that narrative is a bit more layered, and a lot more personal.

The trio play together week in, week out, yet they represent two of the fiercest national teams in the women’s game. England’s dramatic Euro 2022 win and Spain’s World Cup redemption in 2023 have set the stage for what many see as a three-act drama. With the Third Act, the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, on the horizon, the story is far from over.

Alex Greenwood, who lifted the Euro trophy on home soil, reflected on the magnitude of that summer: “The first one, obviously, happy because we won… I have great memories of that, of course.” The significance of that tournament cannot be understated; it marked a turning point for both the Lionesses and women’s football in England. However, even in victory, her tone toward the opposition is respectful: “We could call it a rivalry, but I admire Spain, and I admire the way they play.”

The tables turned in 2023 when Spain clinched the World Cup. Alex admits the loss stings. “It’s actually the only game I’ve never watched back,” she said. “Spain was the better team. I think I’m okay with that.”

Laia Aleixandri, although absent from the 2023 World Cup, emphasised her shared respect: “I now have even more [respect], because I know you, and I train every day with you.”

This tone echoes through their friendship, competitive but never combative. “It never goes over the top,” Alex added. “We’re pretty honest with each other… in a good way.”

This kind of honesty adds texture to a rivalry that might otherwise be reduced to tactics, titles, and headlines. It humanises it. This isn’t just a clash of nations, it’s a story of teammates who push each other daily and then face off on the world stage, not with animosity but with respect. This transparency defines their dynamic. “I love it. I would watch Spanish games because I love watching Laia,” Greenwood shared. Aleixandri agreed, “I’m always checking when you’re playing, it’s normal.”

Jess Park spoke about the honour of being part of such matches: “They play great football. To be able to play in one of their games is what you always dream of.”A sentiment she brought to the UEFA Women’s Nations League in February this year, scoring the only and winning goal for England against Spain at Wembley.

As the next major tournament approaches, anticipation builds amongst the fans and the players themselves. Together, Greenwood, Park, and Aleixandri embody a unique rivalry, one driven by excellence. It’s a testament to how women’s football continues to evolve: competitive but compassionate, fierce yet grounded in mutual admiration.

Long before the packed stadiums, international fixtures, and high-profile rivalries, football meant something much simpler to these players, joy. In conversation, all three spoke about how the game became central to their lives purely for the love of the game.

“It was straight after school”, Alex remembered. “Even in school, actually. I was meant to be doing work, and I’d be sorting the teams out, in the back of my books.”

Those early games, often informal, shaped something deeper. “I remember playing with my friends, enjoying football, and just loving this sport,” Laia said. “I don’t care, when I’m playing everything else is fine.”

For Jess, football meant liberation. “When I play football, I don’t think about anything else. It’s just my freedom.”

Behind their journeys were powerful support networks of family, coaches, and mentors who showed up before anyone else did. “My dad would do anything and everything to get me to training,” Jess shared. “If he couldn’t, he’d find a friend that could.”

For Laia, the influence of a childhood coach while she was still playing on boys teams, stands out: “He treated me like a player, not a boy or a girl. That made a big difference.”

“To get to this stage in your career, you’re always going to have to rely on people somewhere… no one does it alone.” Alex credits former Everton coach Mo Marley for guiding her on what it meant to be a professional, not just a player.

In Greenwood, Park, and Aleixandri, we see three players at different points in their journeys, each shaped by the evolving landscape of women’s football, and each helping to shape it in return. They’ve faced the challenges of playing professionally, and the added layer of doing so in a sport where women have often had to fight for space, recognition, and support.

They remind us that behind every goal, there are hours of quiet work. Behind every rivalry, there are friendships, and behind every shirt, there’s a player who started out simply loving the game.

As England and Spain gear up for their next meeting, it’s clear that this rivalry carries more than just competitive weight. It speaks to how far the women’s game has come, and how much potential still lies ahead.

Producer: @ted.thomson
Editorial: @mitzigrac3
Photography: @harleyboothphoto
Videography: @tpro_1 & @by.corz
Styling: @heavenwondim
MUA: @theraeagency
Sound: @Isaacmartindalesound