Ona Batlle: “United's experience was irrefutable”

From Vilassar de Mar to Manchester, how does that relate?

Well, you can count on the smile I have on my face right now, from being able to boast that I am in England enjoying the experience of living outside the country, which was one of my great goals in my career. It was a goal, to have the opportunity to be in another country, England had always caught my attention and, once that option came to me, I did not let it escape.

He has a planisphere tattooed on his arm, that's a statement of intent.

(Laughs). Yes, I would still like to travel a lot more. Soccer takes a little more time, but I'm delighted.

He finished a contract with Levante, had offers and called United. How was that process?

I was finishing a contract, but I did not know if I would continue, if I would change teams in Spain or go to another country. I am living in the moment, I was enjoying in Levante, and everything happened in the quarantine. My representative called me and said he had a piece of United's offer. They were very interested in me, they wanted to talk to me to present the project and they were very excited. So I said, 'Of course, let's see what they told us.'

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Ona Batlle, wearing the Manchester United jersey, her new club.

And what was it?

It is a long-term project. It is about empowering with players who can contribute to what there is, it is not signing by spending a lot, it is taking steps. Until now, giant steps have been taken in a young project and the objectives interested me a lot. I am very happy with what they transmitted to me and with what I have seen. I loved the coach, with her daily learning attitude, without ever lowering the bar. But, above all, the experience, not only at a soccer level, but also vital to live abroad. It is something that I wanted to experience and that will help me grow.

The League was suspended there in May with champion Chelsea. I imagine United's aspirations will be the highest.

United has to be on top. We want to take it there, we want to win game after game and start now. Win the league? Why not dream.

What is United going to play?

We are going to want the ball, we want to touch, to press, above all. With the signs of the English teams, claw, pressure to death and be very strong in defense. This league is very competitive, with good and fast players. We have our own stadium. I was impressed to see it, it is amazing. It is always played on natural grass, something that pleases the footballer. And the facilities have transmitted to me that they want to bet on women's football here.

Despite his youth, one thing that attracts a lot of attention is his security and the serenity that he transmits in his position.

I try to take everything they teach me and I see in my colleagues. I have been fortunate to have shared the locker room with very good soccer players, defenders and attackers, and I have tried to pick up that to convey that security. My big goal on the field is to defend, and then attack. I do not like that they observe that I neglect the defense. I love to climb, but the most important thing is to defend.

There was uncertainty, you and other players were on the compensation list, but you did not wait for the sentence to decide your future.

It didn't influence my decision because I made it before things were discussed. Long before it was said that he was going to trial.

What is your opinion on the compensation list and on the sentence that has been handed down?

It was my representative who explained the whole process to me. When the offer from Manchester arrived, he told me not to worry because that clause only affected in Spain. Until it is applied in the BOE, these clauses will not apply, so I hope that my colleagues who decide to change teams will have no problem doing so.

It was said that he handled many offers, among them there was talk of Barcelona, ​​a club he knows well, and the new Real Madrid. It is true?

My representative told me that there were several offers from Spain, but when it came to United, it was an irrefutable personal and soccer experience. It was what he wanted, the English league. As soon as United appeared, I didn't think any more.

Will you continue with your studies?

Yes, I am going to start an online course. I was doing Physical Activity and Sports Sciences at the University of Valencia, but it cannot be done remotely. I'm going to park it and I'm going to start a degree in Administration and Finance. It is a drastic change, but lately I have been very interested in these topics, reading about them and I want to learn in this field. I don't know what I'll do when I quit soccer, but now I'm interested in those topics.

Ona Batlle playing with the Spanish National Team.

He started skating and has ended up being a top level footballer.

When I was five years old I was figure skating, but I started playing soccer with my brother in my grandmother's backyard and I told my brother that I wanted to do the same as him. I had to wait six years to get into a team. I started playing with boys at Vilassar.

Until Barcelona came looking for her …

It was amazing. I was at my club and Barcelona wanted me to do the tests. I hallucinated and my parents, too. It was another opportunity that appeared and you had to take advantage of it. It's like United. Such things seldom appear.

That is the mentality that led him later to leave Barcelona. Without that decision, would it have been impossible to reach this?

Exactly. Each one has their priorities. When I left home when I was 18, it was clear to me that my main objective was to be a First Division player and to become a professional for many years. I thought I had to play minutes and I left Barcelona. It is the same mentality that I have now.

When he was so young, he told his parents he was leaving, how did they take it?

They know how I am, very independent. My mother suffers it more than my father, who is more like me. But in the end they, who have supported me in everything, see what illusion and desire you have. Of course, without leaving the studies behind and with their heads focused, they go with everything with you. Now they have already told me that, as soon as they can, they will come to see me. They are going to learn English.

She debuted with 19 years in the National Team, being the youngest in history to do so. Now, did you mention the step you were going to take? What have they transmitted to you?

I informed the National Team, but it was my decision and that of my people. I informed them of what there was, I wanted them to know, my approach to the future. The National Team supports me, they tell you that they will follow you and that you go for all, for your dream. I will work hard to keep going and enjoying. It is a goal of my life, once I have had the opportunity to debut, you have to try to stay.

How do you see the Iberdrola League that you leave behind with the start of Real Madrid?

It is already a very competitive league, which grows year after year. Those three places in the Champions League can now be chosen by several teams. I do not see three very clear above the rest. It is true that Barcelona and Atlético are always there, but they are pushing hard from below. Levante, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad … It will be very even.