Spain is in a period of change. The national team is undergoing a rebuild, and the locker room needs clear references as it moves forward. The captains stepped up as voices for the entire squad, and ahead of the match against Switzerland Aitana Bonmatí and Mariona Caldentey read the moment as a sign that the team remains very much alive.
Barça players want discussions to be put aside and for time to implement the agreed measures. They acknowledge the rough start with the way the call was announced, but now say things are calmer and they have returned to focusing on football.
Managing the situation is a personal matter for each player. Training and competing helps everyone improve. The early days were hard because the players could not step back, gather their thoughts, or reconnect. They leaned on one another. The squad is strong and unity is high, which makes the job easier for everyone involved, according to Mariona Caldentey.
Alexia Putellas, Irene Paredes and Misa will testify before a National Court judge on Monday
Cristina Gallardo | Fermin de la Calle
The first days were difficult and sleep was scarce. The team wonders how they managed to deliver a strong performance against Sweden despite the challenges ahead. After those intense days, Aitana focuses more on football, a sentiment echoed by teammates who observed how leadership roles were assumed when the time came. She wants to concentrate on the game and the season ahead.
Beyond Alexia and Irene, who resumed captain duties after the World Cup, the players also elected Aitana and Mariona to serve as leaders who will wear the armband for the first time.
Captaincy is described as a spontaneous role, intended to support the captains and the rest of the squad. The players finished a series of meetings together, and then the captains shared what happened. The group says they have never been more involved than now, and they are there to help.
It is remarkable to see the broad support both at home and abroad. The players see this as a global challenge for footballers, with a responsibility to use their platform to improve the sport for women. The current captain spoke about continuing this momentum from Wednesday and returning in October to win and qualify for the Olympic Games. She emphasized that the measures agreed with the federation and the sports council must be implemented now.
Montse Tomé, approved
Spain will greet fans again Tuesday in Nuevo Arcángel for a match against Switzerland. As office work continues, the focus is expected to return to the field. Montse Tomé’s continuity as head coach gains further clarity after a phone call in which the government expressed its confidence in the situation. The coach recalls a personal conversation with the federation leader and notes a sense of calm moving forward.
Tomé remains mindful of the media noise surrounding the national team and the federation. The coaching staff also relies on the communications team and a psychologist to navigate the new reality. The coach acknowledges the players’ expectations and recognizes that meaningful changes will require time. He highlights rapid growth and evolution, and notes that this moment is important. He is confident in his role and believes the team will advance positively, without ever doubting his place on the bench. He also stresses that he never felt pressure to step away after the Switzerland game.
In the early days of the training camp there was a need to address awkwardness. The team found a way to talk openly, face each other, and move forward. The coach has always asserted that the players are committed professionals who have embraced the challenge after the Sweden victory. There is a shared view that improvements are possible. The days ahead are about steady progress and preparing for the next duel, with a call to fans to support the team at Nuevo Arcángel. The message is clear: enjoy watching the world champions in action.