“The dream of any footballer is to play a European Championship”

Laia Aleixandri (Santa Coloma de Gramanet, 2000) is one of the young players who come stomping to La Roja. The Atlético de Madrid defender has been summoned by Vidal for the vital February date on which the National Team sealed the ticket for the European Championship. And why not, she dreams of being in the summer of 2022 in British lands.

-How were your beginnings in football?

I started soccer at a very young age, my friends at school spent hours practicing it and I did the same. When I was 4 years old, I joined the city club with them. That's where it all started, I never stopped.

-He comes from a basketball family, funny.

My parents have always practiced it and my sister currently practices it, that's why there is always the grace at home. They tell me that I have left the weirdo of the family. It was something innate.

-Do you remember any problem or discrimination in those years?

I have not had any practicing this sport since I was little, what's more, I have great memories of those years with the boys. It served me well.

-And he arrived at Barcelona …

Suddenly I started playing with all the girls, in the big team, everything came rolling.

-What was it like saying goodbye and embarking on a new adventure at Atlético?

I had to think outside the box, it was time to continue growing and bet on the future. Playing in those years was a priority and I am happy to have taken that step. That has gotten me to where I am today.

-He belongs to the well-known Golden Generation of Spanish football.

I was lucky to participate in several triumphs with the lower categories, they were great moments.

-And the time came with the absolute. How have you been received?

Very well, I am proud to share a dressing room with these great players. For example, coincide with Ona Batlle, with her I have grown up with her from the lower categories of Barça and she is a support both now that we coincide in the National Team and outside it. A true friend.

-What have been your football references?

I have always liked soccer. Xavi Hernández has been the player who has inspired me the most, because of the way he sees football. Godín also, because of his spirit when he was a member of Atlético, I lived it closely. But without a doubt Virginia Torrecilla has always been my reference. And now more. He has been an example as a footballer for many years and now he is because of his human strength. It raises our morale.

-He must have had the opportunity to leave Spain …

It is something that always goes through the minds of the players, there are great clubs, but I am focused on my team and the National Team.

-Study marketing, how are you doing?

I take it well, I go little by little, I know that it is something that in the future I will need. It is not that far from football, which is my life, in the future I would like to combine it in some way.

-They have just achieved the pass to the Eurocup …

Any soccer player dreams of playing a tournament of these dimensions. You have to work hard to have that opportunity that only a few have. This team has very good players, there is a lot of quality. They are all very professional.

-What is your day to day, your routines?

I take great care of myself, both physically and nutritionally. Sure I have forbidden foods, but I eat a very varied diet. It is something that I already carry intrinsic in my daily life, it does not cost.

-Is Covid conditioning your life a lot?

The situation we are living in is not easy, fear exists. And above all responsibility. I already missed a very important game (the Champions League tie against Barça last season) and I don't want it to happen again.

-What does it mean to have been awarded as MVP of the Super Cup and young promise of UEFA?

You always have to give thanks to the collective, of course, but it is to be appreciated. They are recognition of the great effort that we have been doing since we were very little.