When Lucía León signed for Adelaide United, she had to Google them. The Spanish-Dominican fullback, who featured in Tottenham Hotspur’s first-ever WSL squad, was taking a leap few understood. The A-League Women is rarely the obvious choice for players coming from England and Spain. But for León, it wasn’t about the obvious choice — it was about the right one.
“I had to Google Adelaide. But my gut was telling me to go — and it was right.”
This is a story about a player who walked away from the spotlight and found something more meaningful: joy, freedom, and a league that finally felt like the right fit. It begins in Madrid, winds through London and Seville, and lands in South Australia, where León has just delivered one of the best seasons of her career.
A Dream Born in Madrid
León fell in love with football watching her sister play in the parks of Madrid. Despite their parents’ reluctance to support her playing, she kept showing up with a ball at her feet. She was eventually scouted by a local boys’ team and then picked up by Madrid CFF. By 16, her family relocated to London — a move she had no say in.
“We were told a week before. I didn’t want to go. I was happy in Spain. But we didn’t really have a choice.”
Thrown into a new country, with a new language and no friends, León struggled. But over time, she found community through football. She joined Spurs in 2013 and watched the club transform from a semi-pro side in the fifth tier to a full-time WSL team.
“We started basically amateur. I lived through the whole process.”
She remembers the moment everything changed.
“When Alex Morgan and Alanna Kennedy came through, that’s when the club actually started to be like, ‘Hey, we’ve got to put money in. We’ve got to give them a training centre, we’ve got to give them the tools they need to succeed.’
I didn’t realise how experienced they were at the time. Now I look back and remember how disciplined Alex Morgan was — first one in, taking care of herself, doing her pre-act, even just after having a baby.”
Navigating Identity and Belonging
Though León was born and raised in Spain, her cultural identity is Dominican. She now represents the Dominican Republic internationally, a decision rooted not in football politics, but in belonging.
“Sometimes I don’t know where I belong. I’m Black, I’m Spanish, I’m Dominican. People get confused — and then I get confused.”
She speaks with warmth about playing with teammates who look like her, who understand her hair, her music, her world.
“I’ve never spoken about this before, but sometimes I didn’t know where I belonged… When I was in Spain, I was in Spain — but when I was with the DR national team, it felt like home. It was everything coming together.”
“If Spain called me now, I wouldn’t go. What we’ve got going on in the DR is just too special.”
Australia Wasn’t the Plan
After stints with Real Betis and Watford, León found herself in a moment of uncertainty. When Adelaide United came calling, she didn’t know much about the league — or the city. But something told her to go.
“It wasn’t the most obvious offer, but something told me this was going to be good.”
It was. León has been one of the standout players in the A-League Women this season. She calls it the happiest football she’s played.
“Every single match has just been vibes. I’m not gonna lie — I’m just loving it.”
The league surprised her with its professionalism and potential. “The broadcast is good. You can watch all the games, even from abroad. That’s something a lot of leagues still don’t have.”
“Some leagues in Europe still don’t even know what day they’re playing by Tuesday. Here, everything’s set. That matters.”
She coaches young girls during the week and says the community in Adelaide has been a revelation. “I coach a lot throughout the week as well, so I see a lot of girls, and it’s just amazing to see. They’re so keen to play.” of her time in Australia, connecting her to the next generation and to the heart of the game in a new way.
“We get more people here than I used to get in La Liga in Spain, you know.”
A-League Finals and the Bigger Picture
León will line up for Adelaide this weekend in a semi-final clash against Melbourne Victory. It’s her first time playing in a finals format like this.
“In Europe, you finish top and that’s it. This is different. It feels like a tournament. I’m excited. Nervous in a good way — but confident.”
She says the key this weekend isn’t tactics, it’s mentality.
“We’ve drawn and lost to Victory in the last minute before — this time, it’s all about mentality.”
And beyond this match? León wants more people to look at leagues like the ALW with the seriousness they deserve.
“Since I’ve been here, my Spanish friends, my English friends — they’re like, ‘Oh, what’s it look like out there?’ That’s how it starts.”
“If you’re a player starting, in the middle of your career, or even finishing — it’s definitely worth coming over.”
Success, for Lucía León, isn’t defined by status or where people expect you to be. It’s about growth, connection, and joy.
“Not every path is linear. Mine hasn’t been — but every turn has taught me something.”
