Caldentey's Arsenal stint boosting her bid for Euros and Ballon d'Or glory / Photo: © AFP/File
Caldentey's Arsenal stint boosting her bid for Euros and Ballon d'Or glory
Mariona Caldentey has a first women's European Championship triumph for Spain in her sights after a dream season at Arsenal which could yet bag her the Ballon d'Or.
Versatile Caldentey is back with her former Barcelona teammates in a powerful Spain side who are the clear favourites for overall victory in Switzerland, ahead of La Roja's second Group B match with Belgium on Monday.
The reigning world champions looked a cut above the rest of the tournament in Thursday's 5-0 hammering of Portugal, and expectations are high for Spain to win Euro 2025.
"We see it (the pressure) more as a privilege. I think in recent years we've become more accustomed to it. You have to live with it," says the 29-year-old in an interview with AFP.
"We have a lot of weapons... We're a super-complete team."
Caldentey came into Euro 2025 on a high from winning the women's Champions League with Arsenal, beating her old Barca buddies who have dominated Spanish and European women's football in recent seasons in the final.
"The Barca "DNA" is obviously a style of football I love and is more or less similar to what we want to play here (with Spain)," says Caldentey.
"But I knew that leaving would also provide me with a change in style, and that was what I was looking for."
Her first season in England, which she likens to the Erasmus European student programme, could barely have gone better.
Triumph in the Champions League -- her third in as many seasons -- came after she was crowned the Women's Super League's player of the year.
"I see it as an Erasmus because I will go back to Spain. It's a bit of an adventure," says Caldentey.
"I wanted to learn to adapt to a different game... The first year has gone by very quickly -- I've really enjoyed it but I still have a lot to do.
"Getting out of your comfort zone is always a challenge and helps you develop. The English league is a different kind of football, more physical, with lots of turnovers of possession, and open."
Caldentey scored 21 goals and set up 16 more for Arsenal last season and that has led to suggestions that she may usurp compatriots Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati for the women's Ballon d'Or.
Putellas and Bonmati have shared the Ballon d'Or over the past four seasons and are the the main obstacles to Caldentey being honoured at September's gala event in Paris.
"Obviously it's an honour and a privilege to have your name mentioned for such a big award, but right now what I have to do is play well at the Euros," says Caldentey.
E.Carter--VC
