BBC Women’s Footballer of the Year contender Mariona Caldentey

Age: 29 Position: Midfielder Teams: Arsenal and Spain

Mariona Caldentey started with Arsenal last summer and aided the club in clinching a second Champions League title.

She hit the ground running, contributing creative flair and a decisive edge to an already formidable team.

Her displays were so remarkable following her transfer from Barcelona that she earned the title of WSL’s player of the year.

Caldentey also made history for her nation, as Spain advanced to the Euro 2025 final, where she scored against England, though her team lost in the penalty shootout.

She was a runner-up for the Ballon d’Or and featured in Uefa’s Champions League and the Professional Football Association’s teams of the year.

Caldentey regarding her transition from Barcelona to Arsenal:

«It was bittersweet yet thrilling at the same time. I felt it was the right moment for me to embrace a new challenge. I cherished a wonderful 10 years at Barcelona, both in football and beyond.»

«It seemed like a rather bold choice since I was in a good situation and very comfortable there, but I believe in hindsight it was indeed the correct choice. From the instant I arrived at Arsenal, everyone made the transition easy for me, so I truly enjoy it and I’m delighted to be here.»

On what has contributed to her success at Arsenal:

«I feel immense assurance while playing here. The coaches are attuned to me, they wish the best for me, so they provide me with the support I need. The same goes for my teammates: I can elevate their performance, and they can enhance mine. It’s mutually beneficial. It’s primarily about team play. I think it required some time at first, but once I began to understand my role and my teammates better, it was fantastic.»

On her feelings during the Champions League final:

«Participating in the final was quite challenging and strange for me. Typically, I don’t experience nerves before matches. It was a unique occasion, and naturally, I felt somewhat anxious, particularly because it was a final but also as I faced friends and former teammates, and the staff. Everything I had just left behind, and in the same season, I was playing against them in a final. It felt destined, and it was an extraordinary journey throughout the Champions League. We are overjoyed that Arsenal could triumph again after 18 years.»

On reaching the Euro 2025 final with Spain:

«It still stings a bit when I reflect on the final. We should remember that we made history because we never even reached a semi-final before. It was a significant advancement in the Euros for us as a team. It’s positive that we are continuing to create history, but of course, the primary objective was to win. England performed better than us, so we must congratulate them. I believe we have a very strong national squad, we’re a brilliant generation, and we will continue to strive forward.»

While three players delivered more assists from open play in the Women’s Super League last season, Caldentey was arguably the most inventive player overall.

She generated the most chances (43) and recorded the highest expected assists from open play (6.9) in the league, with only her teammates’ finishing preventing her from increasing her assist tally.

The Arsenal midfielder didn’t only shine with her on-ball contributions, as she also exerted relentless effort to regain possession.

Only Ashleigh Neville from Tottenham made more tackles and interceptions than her in the Women’s Super League during the last season, and no player regained possession in the final third more frequently.

Caldentey’s adaptability in position has enabled her to play on both wings, as a number 10, and in midfield throughout her career. However, last season she excelled in a somewhat different capacity, as part of a midfield duo.

Even though she began in central midfield, her movement up the pitch and into wide areas allowed her to interpret the role in a distinct manner.

Staunch positional frameworks can become predictable for defenders to manage, but Caldentey frequently drifted towards the left side.

Her capacity to play out wide effortlessly enabled her team to build play around opposing presses, finding her in wider positions at times. Chance creation from the flanks was also a signature of the teams she represented, and by closely interacting with her left winger, she contributed to getting the ball into the final third.

When out of possession, Caldentey’s ability to recover the ball high up the pitch was unparalleled last season, reclaiming possession in the opponent’s third more than any other player in the WSL. This achievement came while she was also creating the most chances from open play in the league.

Caldentey’s diligence and duelling skills, combined with her technical proficiency both centrally and in wide spaces, made her one of the most well-rounded footballers in the world last season.