“Do you think those who vote for the Ballon d’Or watch these games?” Caroline Graham Hansen (Oslo, Norway, 29 years old) was asked in the mixed zone at the beginning of the season after a match. The Norwegian had scored two goals and put in an excellent performance. “I don’t think so,” was his response, with a half smile. The Norwegian was never a friend of the media world. Nor from social networks. Not even from the photographs. Despite standing out on the field – 32 goals and 28 assists last season in 40 games – she had never been recognized in individual awards.
At the last Ballon d’Or gala, she was nominated for the first time after an exquisite season in which she won four titles with Barcelona. She couldn’t wear gold, but she achieved second place — 283 points separated her from the winner Aitana Bonmatí, with whom she understands perfectly — which tastes like world recognition. Since then he has begun to break the silence. “That he wasn’t there last seasons surprises me,” said Barça coach Pere Romeu forcefully in the press conference prior to today’s Champions League match (against Austrian side Polten, at 6:45 p.m.). At his side, Cata Coll, agreed: “We have always been surprised that she was not nominated for awards like this.”
He landed with a private jet at half past six in the afternoon in Paris from Oslo. Everything happened quickly: makeup, costumes and getting ready for the gala. She came accompanied by her family, including her father and mother; He didn’t know if he would win the prize, although all the pools had his name and Aitana’s. But Caro was clear about something: his media impact had arrived late.
Until not long ago, it did not even appear in the League F sticker album; last year it was left out of the 30 nominees for the Ballon d’Or and without recognition on an individual level despite having achieved everything collectively. In September he asked for help to achieve more visibility, but without losing his essence and character, respecting his moments of concentration and rest. When she arrived at Barcelona in 2019, she did so under a shell, focused only on what was happening on the field, and isolated from the awards, despite being one of the most destabilizing players in the world. He didn’t like the promotion; I didn’t think about it either. But this year he has gotten rid of his shield. And Barça drew up a plan: more interviews, more exposure. The data was already on their side, the rest would follow. “She is a very important player, who always does what you don’t expect,” Cata Coll said yesterday. Pere Romeu was full of praise for the Norwegian: “She is essential. I don’t think there are many wingers in the world who have a short shot, unmarking, finishing from the left and right, who every day have more capacity to make defensive efforts, with an exquisite center… What else should they have?
Graham Hansen grew up in the cold streets of Norway where she played soccer since she was little. In the snow he learned to dribble, his great trademark on the grass, always among boys. Fireproof and invincible player in one-on-one duels. Sometimes the best assistant. Others, the great finisher. Always stealthy, boldly, finding the smallest space available, taking advantage of it to create danger with her power and impeccable technique. Since his arrival in 2019, he has not dropped below ten goals per season. This season he has participated in all the games, 11, with six goals and six assists. Against Atlético de Madrid last Saturday he was fundamental with a goal and an assist. This Tuesday they face St. Pölten in the Champions League, the third game of the group stage. Expensive will once again be key. You will have greater recognition and focus. But nothing will dazzle him from what he enjoys: football.
