Rosalía who wants to make a place for herself among the stars of Barça

BarcelonaThe name Rosalía often transports us to the singer from Sant Esteve Sesrovires, but at Barça there is another Rosalía who is looking to make her mark among the great stars of the first team. “It has been a very special season and, above all, one of great learning,” reviews to l’ARA Rosalía Domínguez (Camas, 2008), one of the gems of the academy. The Andalusian midfielder –who landed at the Catalan club in the 2024-25 season– renewed her contract until 2029 a few weeks ago. She is one of the eleven players with a reserve team contract who Pere Romeu has given their debut in the first team, in addition to Sydney Schertenleib, Clara Serrajordi, Aïcha Camara, Martine Fenger, Carla Julià, Ainoa Gómez, Lúa Arufe, Adriana Ranera, Laia Martret, Maria Llorella and Rosalía Domínguez.

The economic situation of the club –where the fair play of the first men's team conditions the market for the women's team– has led to a change in the sports management's strategy. Faced with difficulties in signing major international stars, such as Klara Bühl, the investment in homegrown players has increased. All thanks to the bravery of Pere Romeu, who has not hesitated to trust young players like Clara Serrajordi or Aïcha Camara, who have responded perfectly on the pitch.

Characteristics of Barça's Rosalía

Additionally, eight more players from the reserve team have had prominence this season with the first team. The last to officially debut was Rosalía Domínguez, who was a starter at Espanyol's ground on the day the League was won. “She is a very young player who still has incredible room for improvement. She has a secure future, as she has very good play between the lines and fits perfectly with our style of play,” valued the Catalan coach. Romeu also highlighted a facet of the Andalusian midfielder. “She gives you depth and imbalance, which at times interior players are more passers. She is quite complete because she also has that imbalance. Sooner rather than later we will see her again with the first team,” added the coach. 

For now, Rosalía has not returned to a squad, but the footballer continues to work to earn a place in the best team in the world. “From day one I have tried to take advantage of every training session, every match, and every experience to continue growing football-wise, but also personally within an environment as demanding as Barça,” explains the Sevillian, who is one of the great promises of a reserve team that was proclaimed champion of the Primera Federación (the Second Division).

Despite only playing one match with the first team, Rosalía has been included in several important squads, such as the final of the Spanish Super Cup or the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals to visit Real Madrid. “Being able to experience these things from the inside has helped me a lot to continue learning and to better understand everything that is required to be in the elite. Debuting with the first team was a very exciting and special moment for me. It is a reward for the work and effort of the entire season,” admits a footballer who experienced that debut with “excitement, but also with calm and responsibility”.

The return of Aitana Bonmatí

Paradoxically, ever since Barça won the F League, the reserve team players have disappeared from the call-ups, even though the B team had already finished the season in the last two league matches played by the blaugranes. Romeu has only called up Martine Fenger, Carla Julià, Adriana and Txell Font (who have been regulars throughout the season) from the reserve team, as both Serrajordi and Camara have had contracts with the first team since the summer.

Aside from the four mentioned, no other reserve player has been called up. The return of Aitana Bonmatí has led to both Rosalía and Ainoa being dropped from the lists, who have swapped call-ups for several matches. “Right now I am focused on continuing to learn, work and take advantage of every opportunity I have to keep growing as a player and help the team in any way I can,” comments Rosalía.

After the Champions League final this Saturday in Oslo against Olympique de Lyon (6:00 PM), Barça will play two more matches to close out the League (Real Sociedad and Madrid CFF). It will undoubtedly be a good opportunity to see reserve players in action again, including Rosalía, who wants to make a place for herself among the blaugrana stars.