The emotional whiplash of elite club football means players must often reconcile the deepest highs and lows of the international game with the daily realities of their club teams. No one knows this better than Arsenal and Spain star Mariona Caldentey, who won the Women’s Champions League final in May only to suffer a heart-wrenching defeat to England in the Women’s Euro 2025 final in July. Upon returning to preseason training at Arsenal, Caldentey found herself immediately facing the core of the victorious English squad, including captain Leah Williamson and goal-scorers Chloe Kelly and Beth Mead. Despite the raw emotional sting—a mix of being “happy for them” but “sad for me”—Caldentey was welcomed back with such respect that the reunion was made “easy,” underscoring the fierce but fundamentally respectful bonds that tie rival players together.
The Bittersweet Return to Club Training
Mariona Caldentey’s return to Arsenal’s training grounds after the Women’s Euro 2025 final against England encapsulated the beautiful paradox of modern football. Just weeks after suffering a nerve-wracking penalty shootout loss to the Lionesses, the Spanish midfielder was back alongside the very players who had sent her to the floor in defeat. Arsenal’s squad is heavily populated by England internationals, including key figures like Leah Williamson, Alessia Russo, Beth Mead, Chloe Kelly, and Lotte Wubben-Moy.
Yet, Caldentey emphasized that the reunion was handled with grace and professionalism. She noted that her English teammates were “so respectful” and made the transition back into the club routine “easy.” This quick and genuine display of sportsmanship helped Caldentey process the contrasting emotions of the final, proving that while players compete fiercely for their countries, that rivalry is immediately set aside upon returning to their shared club purpose. The respect, she explained, is deeply mutual, overriding the pain of defeat.
Club Triumph and the Hardship of Friendship
The Euros final was only the second major final Caldentey had contested in as many months, highlighting the relentless schedule of a top-tier professional. In a mirror image of the international defeat, Caldentey celebrated a stunning victory on May 24 when her Arsenal side defeated Barcelona Femení 1-0 in the Women’s Champions League final. The win was particularly poignant, as Caldentey had only left the Blaugrana twelve months earlier after a decade at the Catalan club, meaning she had to defeat many of her closest friends.
Caldentey admitted that competing against friends and former teammates is “hard, but it’s part of our work.” She holds that when players are on the pitch, there are “no friends,” but the personal bonds return immediately after the final whistle. This philosophy, which prioritizes professionalism during the game and respect afterward, has served her well. She credits both her former Barcelona teammates and her current English colleagues at Arsenal for helping her manage these difficult emotional transitions, affirming the strong sense of camaraderie across the elite women’s game.
A Season of Individual Recognition
Despite the sting of the Euro final loss, the season was an undeniable triumph for Mariona Caldentey on an individual level. Her stellar performances throughout the domestic campaign earned her the coveted Women’s Super League (WSL) Player of the Season award and, significantly, the PFA Women’s Player of the Year award, which is voted on by her fellow professionals. This recognition has now propelled her to a nomination for the Ballon d’Or Féminin, the highest individual prize in soccer.
Caldentey attributed her increased individual spotlight to her role at Arsenal being more expansive than it was at Barcelona. At her former club, where players like Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas often took the limelight, she felt her contributions were sometimes overlooked. At Arsenal, she took on a substantial “defensive work as well to do,” demonstrating a broader skill set that she believes “surprised” and impressed many observers, leading directly to her accolades.
Chasing the WSL Title and Consistency
Looking ahead, Caldentey affirmed that the upcoming season is a “big” one for Arsenal, who now carry the target on their back as the reigning Champions League holder. Despite the European success, the club knows consistency in domestic play must improve if they are to compete for all available trophies. Caldentey was bullish about the team’s goals: “We know what we want, and it’s to fight for all the trophies we can.”
The main goal on the horizon is the WSL title, a trophy Arsenal last won seven years ago. The significant obstacle to that ambition is Chelsea, the formidable West London club that has won the last six WSL titles. Caldentey stressed that the key to overtaking them lies in a strong start and defensive solidity: “We want to try to be consistent. We want to have clean sheets. We want to be a solid team defensively because then we know we have talent and a lot of quality up front.” For the Spanish star, who is still “quite new” to the WSL title, securing the domestic league is the immediate and most coveted goal.
