Having won three UEFA Women’s Champions League titles, reached the Euro 2025 final, and been nominated for the 2025 Ballon d’Or is not enough for Mariona Caldentey.

The interview here 👇📹

The Arsenal Women Spanish player wants more. She’s not satisfied and is chasing further glory, both collectively and individually.

“Nobody ever gets tired of winning,” Mariona said in an exclusive interview with BeIN Sports. “At the end of the day, we’re professional footballers, we love to compete, and obviously, you work every day to try to win… I hope to keep winning many more titles, the ones I have and the ones still to come—that’s the goal,” she commented, adding about her Women’s Ballon d’Or nomination:

“Honestly, it’s a super prestigious award, and there are only 30 players. You see all the players who didn’t make the list, who are world-class, and it’s truly an honor. It’s exciting to have your work recognized, and well, these are 30 amazing players, so it’s a source of pride and an honor to be selected,” said Mariona Caldentey, who aims to become the third Spanish woman to win the award, following Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí, who each won it twice.

Mariona, born in Felanitx, Mallorca, 29 years ago, boasts being the only player with three consecutive Champions League titles and the only one to score in two historic finals for the Spanish national team (Nations League 2024 and Euro 2025). She dreams of continuing to add successes, particularly winning the Women’s Super League (WSL) with Arsenal.

“Anything that involves winning is good for us. Whether it’s scoring goals or helping in other ways, I’m obviously very happy, but I hope this will be another season with titles. We’ve rested a bit now, and I’m eager to get started again,” added the attacking midfielder for the Spanish women’s national team.

“The work is done, there are great players, and obviously, there’s a lot of excitement about winning the Women’s Ballon d’Or, but I’m satisfied with my season and my work, so I’m at peace, and that’s the most important thing.”

Mariona: “Spain has undergone a massive change”

Women’s football in Spain is arguably experiencing its best moment in history, not only collectively but also individually. La Roja won the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the 2024 Nations League, and were Euro 2025 runners-up. From Mariona Caldentey’s perspective, this is due to specific changes that have been made.

“I think there’s been a massive change in Spain. The talent has always been there, but perhaps it was a bit neglected. Now, with the context we have, that talent can be developed,” the Arsenal Women player assured in her exclusive BeIN Sports interview.

“It’s about polishing that talent, working on it, teaching it, and obviously, the results are showing. It’s been years of hard work, and now there’s this generation that’s succeeding. It’s a mix of talent, hard work, and all the different staff members and professionals who help us, teach us, and instill that highly competitive, winning mentality.”

Part of that success is that the last four Women’s Ballon d’Or awards have been won by Spanish players, highlighting the strong moment for Spanish women’s football.

“I think Spanish women’s football has grown tremendously in recent years. Everything that Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí have contributed to Spanish football in terms of visibility and everything else has been incredible,” she added, smiling at the thought of her own nomination for the award this year. “It would be wonderful if the fifth consecutive one stayed in Spain as well.”

Arsenal: A new challenge

After 10 years at FC Barcelona Women, where she won it all—including three Champions League titles, six Spanish leagues, and six Copa de la Reina titles—Mariona Caldentey was ready for a change and left the Iberian Peninsula to join Arsenal WFC in England.

“Not seeing as much sun, eating dinner very early—these things, on a day-to-day and cultural level, are probably what have been the hardest for me,” Mariona admitted. “But my teammates have helped me a lot, I’ve had a lot of people come visit, and the league and football in England are spectacular, incredible. I think the experience has been very positive. Obviously, the WSL is the big goal for the upcoming seasons, but leaving Spain, leaving Barça after 10 years was a challenge and not easy. Honestly, I think it’s been very positive for me on an individual level.”