Mariona Caldentey leaves Barcelona after ten years wearing the Barça shirt and, a priori, will head to England, to Arsenal. His is the latest name in an already too long list of footballers who leave the Spanish league in search of more competitive scenarios. She has been one of the great underrated ones. She has never stood out for being the most in the media, nor did her name resonate in the individual awards. But on the field she has always been fundamental for the team. With great technique, vision for the last pass, dribbling and ball control, Mariona is a versatile footballer and all-round forward, who prefers to play as a winger, but does not mind taking charge of the striker, midfielder or even interior. In these ten seasons, Mariona has played 302 games for Barcelona – which could be 304 if he plays in the last two league games – and has won 19 titles: six league titles, five Queen’s Cups, four Super Cups and three Champions Leagues. In addition to being one of the world champions this past summer with the national team, she is the fifth top scorer on the Barça team with 114 goals. “Believe me when I tell you that it has been a very difficult and thoughtful decision, but in life you have to be honest and accept that there are cycles that end,” Mariona said in a video shared by the club. She added, excited: “I have grown up at Barça. I have fulfilled many dreams. […] I just hope that you remember me as a player who has given everything for this shield.”
“I don’t know how far I will go in the world of football, but I want to fight to go very far,” said a young 13-year-old Mariona. Mallorca Diary. She is fond of the piano and has a degree in Physical Activity and Sports Sciences. From a very young age she was linked to soccer in the Balearic Islands and her hometown, Felanitx. At the age of 15 she debuted in the First Division with Collerense, and in 2014, at the age of 18, she fulfilled her dream and that of her father – who died in 2018 – of playing for Barcelona. It was Xavi Llorens who had been following her for some time. He trusted her. Also Lluís Cortés, also Jonatan Giráldez. This course, in particular, has shined. And she leaves after a great year in which Barça has won four titles. She has played in all the games except one (45 of 46), being the player on the squad who has played the most games this season, with 19 goals in total and 17 assists. She was the MVP of the Queen’s Cup final, participating in five of the eight goals she scored. But not even the “stay, stay” of the fans in the run-up, in the post and in the celebration of the Champions League final could reverse her decision.
She has won everything in Spain, and according to TV3, the Balearic player has made the decision to go to England, to Arsenal, a team that will open the Emirates Stadium at home next season in at least eleven games: eight in the WSL and three in the group stage of the Champions League. Mariona’s decision is not an economic question, but a personal one. It is one more of the exodus of players to other countries – mainly the American and English leagues – that Spanish women’s soccer is experiencing. “It is evident that there are players who go to emerging markets in search of a competitive level,” Giráldez confessed in an interview with Morning Express. From Barcelona, this season there will be four, in addition to Mariona, the figures who have left: Asisat Oshoala, the fourth highest scorer in Barcelona’s history, already did so to Bay FC; also Jonatan Giráldez at the end of the season to the Washington Spirit; Geyse Ferreira, who left last summer for Manchester United; and Laia Codina, who headed to Arsenal before starting this season. Giráldez will also go with his future second, Adrián González – who is already working as coach until the Vigo coach arrives – and who had to leave the Espanyol women’s bench, recently promoted to First Division this season. And he also takes with him Leicy Santos, who will leave Atlético de Madrid.
“I think we have very good and many, too many, footballers to understand that because four or five go to other leagues, that is going to create a problem in League F. I don’t think that will happen. I don’t have the vision of that happening,” said Beatriz Álvarez, president of League F, in an interview with Relief. But in the league there are more cases of exile in search of greater competitiveness and new challenges. The signing of Rachel Kundananji, from Madrid CFF, to Bay FC broke all records. There, in the United States, she met Deyna Castellanos at Bay —former Atlético de Madrid— or Chioma Ubogagu at Tottenham Hotspur —former Real Madrid. In the middle of this season, Mayra Ramírez also left Levante to go to Chelsea and Ana Tejada left Real Sociedad for Utah Royal in the USA.
But last summer there were already some escapes such as that of Maitane López (former Atlético de Madrid) and Esther González (former Real Madrid) to Gotham, a club managed from the bench, also, by a Spaniard: Juan Carlos Amorós. He is not the only coach on the peninsula, in addition to the future incorporation of Giráldez to Washington, in the United States, since Fran Alonso currently directs the Houston Dash. Meanwhile, in England Mariona will meet former league teammates such as Laia Aleixandri – formerly of Atlético de Madrid – and Leila Ouahabi – formerly of Barcelona – at Manchester City, or Lucía García – formerly of Athletic Club – at Manchester United. All three left Spanish clubs in the summer of 2022. And according to ReliefFrom Everton there is also interest in Inma Gabarro and Tony Payne, Sevilla footballers.
Years ago, however, female soccer players also emigrated, aware of the growth—especially on a physical level—that other countries such as France, Germany or England could offer them. Soccer players such as Irene Paredes, Jennifer Hermoso, Vicky Losada, Natalia Pablos, Marta Corredera, Laura del Río and Sonia Bermúdez tried out for foreign teams. The vast majority ended up returning to Spain, although some like Vero Boquete managed to make a career outside the peninsula. Small exiles that have grown over time. Mariona Caldentey leaves, leaving a big mark and hole in the team. And reopening the debate about the flight of talent in Spain if her final destination is England.
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