Ona Batlle: "I left Barça for my own good."

Sant Joan DespíOna Batlle (Vilassar de Mar, June 10, 1999) already knows what it's like to win all the titles with Barça and to be a starter in the most important matches of the season, but she doesn't hide the fact that she still gets nervous before these decisive clashes and, because of that, she likes me to do what I'm prepared for, what's best about me," she says in conversation with ARA about the tickles in her stomach before traveling to Lisbon to play her second consecutive Champions League final.

Will you be able to sleep before the Champions League final?

— Well, that's a very good question [laughs]. Before important games, I have trouble sleeping because I can't stop thinking about this or that about the game... So I try to apply tools that I use in my daily routine: put down my phone before going to bed, I put on my red light, I read, sometimes I meditate... controlling my breathing helps me a lot, too. I try to find a moment of calm because it's true that sometimes I have trouble sleeping...

Against Chelsea, if you were nervous, it didn't show at all. They're one of the strongest teams in Europe, but they thrashed them in the semifinals: 4-1 and 4-1. Did you expect that?

— No, not at all. I mean, thinking about how last year went... I thought it would be really hard for us. That we'd struggle more, really. It's true that we played very well, we did what we had to do, and we did better than last year, but I never imagined it would go like this.

The team is at a very good level, as is Alexia. Did you ever imagine she could regain her form after two seasons marred by injuries?

— She's the epitome of hard work, sacrifice, and persistence, despite so many injuries and difficult moments... But she, more than anyone, knew she could return to a high level. When you try, try, and try again, you end up doing well, especially with her quality, her experience, and her work ethic. Yes, I think we could have imagined she'd play at a high level again.

Was the defeat to Real Madrid in La Liga in March the hardest moment of the season to swallow?

— Although it hurt, I think it was also a key moment to say, wow, we can't relax... It came at the perfect time to make us realize we had to give a little more and keep advancing in the Champions League. It was a wake-up call that did us good.

It is estimated that more than 10,000 fans will accompany him to Lisbon.

— I think so. We try to convey naturalness, good vibes... It's good vibra I think the quality we show is reflected in all the boys and girls who come to see us, who enjoy being with us, the families... It's a very family-oriented atmosphere, women's football, you can see it in the audience we have, which is different from the men's audience. I love being able to convey this and having the audience we have.

You said you read. Is there a book you particularly enjoyed?

— Yes, one that I'm reading now and that I'm really enjoying: Man's Search for Meaning, by Viktor E. Frankl.

It is a book that has to do with psychology.

— Yes, when I was in England for my first year, the team psychologist told me it wasn't all about football. I started getting interested in my studies and other things. I started a finance course, and now, although I've put it on the back burner and will get back to it when I can, I've started another one on psychology. These are two subjects that interest me.

Would it be one of your paths if you weren't a footballer?

— I've always thought I'd really like to be a police officer, although it's true that in recent years I've become much more interested in the world of finance. But for now, I see myself becoming a professional soccer player.

You went to England when the pandemic broke out. Was it the most difficult moment of your career?

— It was a very difficult year for me personally. I had a good season in football, but we didn't win any titles... and when I lost, I felt depressed and lonely, because I was alone and couldn't even travel, couldn't even go see friends or family, and they couldn't come either... I couldn't even spend much time with my teammates. I experienced loneliness. I couldn't share the experience with my family and friends... It was at this point that the psychologist told me I should find more things beyond football: from being interested in studying to simple things like going for walks to escape. It was then that I got to know myself better.

You left Barça's reserve team in 2017: Madrid CFF, Levante, and three years at Manchester United. Why did you leave Barça?

— Because I wanted to compete and play in the First Division. I mean, I didn't want to wait to see if Barça would give me the opportunity to play with the first team... And I left for my own good: I thought I had to leave to grow as a footballer. But I'm a Barça fan, and I thought I'd be really excited to come back.

Will the same thing happen to Laia Aleixandri, whose contract with City is ending?

— I hope so. I have no idea. She's always made good decisions, and I think it will be the best thing for her... She's a 100% Barça player who likes to have the ball and play good football. Would you recommend her to come? Yes, at home, in Barcelona, ​​life is good... [laughs].