Decisive for Barça to hold on in the toughest moments of the Champions final against Lyon and the soul of the party in Oslo, Cata Coll (Marratxí, 2001) speaks to La Vanguardia after her third European final. Today she is a more mature Cata, but without losing the touch of madness that defines her. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t be me,” she confesses.
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Is this the final you suffered the most or enjoyed the most?
The one I enjoyed the most, without a doubt. Because of the tough first half, the second full of goals, and because I was able to perform well. These are teams that come at you and you have to show the level you have. It was a dream final.
You promised two days of celebration. Did you keep it?
And more than two. (laughs).
The family we have formed has been able to overcome money and criticism
Cata Coll
How was the celebration?
My grandfather came, who always tells me he doesn’t know when the last time will be, and it was very special. My parents couldn’t come because my sister was about to give birth on the date of the final. The baby waited two more days to be born, but it was also like the perfect week for me. I became an aunt and a champion.
Is this Champions more special because of the obstacles this year?
It was the year to assert ourselves against all the talk about a short squad, that we wouldn’t be competitive enough for Europe… We have shown that we are, that we are a great team, that the younger players are coming with incredible growth. It seems like they have played matches like this all their lives.
Did you suffer because of the criticism?
At times yes, because we were questioned a lot. Before important matches, Patri Guijarro would plaster the locker room walls with the criticism to use it as motivation. We are a team that grows in adversity and this year we have proven it.
Do you feel the team has been treated unfairly?
Yes, but that’s part of football, right? Being criticized or praised. We understand it’s part of this, but I think sometimes it’s exaggerated, it’s sometimes unnecessary pressure. Although I think as a team we have managed it very well. I would say it’s the best year I’ve had with this club, because of the bond we’ve formed, how we faced adversity, and how much I’ve enjoyed it.
It was the perfect week: I became an aunt and a Champions champion”
Cata Coll
But the club needs to invest more…
We want to have the best team in the world. And the reality is there isn’t that much money to sign players. I would like that to change because I think we deserve to be as high as possible. If I renewed this year it’s because I trust they will invest, that there will be signings and competition, which is what we need. In the end, three key pieces in this team are leaving, undisputed starters. They are losses of great weight.
And how will they be replaced?
The young players will have to take that extra step that maybe they aren’t ready for yet. And besides that, I think it’s also necessary to sign someone from outside who brings the experience and maturity needed. Between youth and experience, a very good mix can be made.
Three key pieces are leaving and I hope signings are sought that bring experience”
Cata Coll
Why are so many players leaving?
That Barça doesn’t have all the money that other teams have is a reality. But I also think they leave because other leagues like the English one are more attractive. Every match is competitive there and not here. There are things that need to be improved for Spanish football to grow.
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‘Money isn’t everything,’ you said in Oslo. Was it a compliment to Barça or a criticism of Kang’s Lyon?
A compliment to Barça. Everyone knows Barça can’t compete against Lyon, Chelsea, Arsenal. But I think the family we have formed has been able to overcome money and criticism.
Alexia will always be my captain; I’m still not fully aware that this has happened”
Cata Coll
What will happen this summer?
I have no idea. This summer I’m not going to watch any news, I won’t care, I want to disconnect. But I hope the board moves, looks for signings, because we have to be as competitive as possible again to win more Champions.
How did you experience Alexia’s farewell?
Ugh, tough. I think until next year’s preseason starts I won’t be fully aware that this has happened. She opened the way for me to be able to live from this today. She passed on that competitive streak and what it means to defend this badge. Now it’s her turn to be happy somewhere else, no one deserves it more.
How did you find out?
Alexia is an amazing woman and didn’t want to tell us before the Champions final to not destabilize the team, that already says a lot about her. From there, between the emotions of the Champions and that she was leaving, it was an emotional loop.
Who will lead the new Barça?
Alexia is Alexia, she will always be my eternal captain and my role model, but I think Patri Guijarro is also capable of leading a team like this.
On a personal level, this is your third final. How have you changed since the one at San Mamés?
In managing emotions. I’m much more mature, less impulsive. I’ve been working with a psychologist for two years. He always tells me ‘you have to be the craziest crazy person in the asylum.’ And that’s what I want to be, because it’s my way of being, of playing. It’s my essence and I don’t want to lose it because otherwise, I wouldn’t be me and I wouldn’t be happy.
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