By OkayGoal 
Some players are born to shine, no matter what team they play for—and Arsenal’s new star Mariona Caldentey is one of them. Though she spent most of her career at Barcelona, Caldentey has quickly adapted to life in the WSL. The titles she’s won with both clubs speak for themselves: she has already claimed Champions League trophies with both Barcelona and Arsenal. Caldentey might just be the kind of player who finds success wherever she goes.
The Dream That Started It All
Caldentey’s love for soccer started through her father, Miguel Angel, who shared the same love for the game. He wasn’t just a fan, he also coached a few teams in Mallorca, where Caldentey is from. Another love that he passed down to his daughter is his love for Barcelona. Due to this, the forward had always dreamed of playing for the club. She managed to make this dream a reality at just 18 years old. In 2014, she moved from UD Collerense to Barcelona. The rest is history.
In a conversation with The Athletic, Caldentey shared how her father’s love for Barcelona was something she considered before making the move to Arsenal later in her career. “My father’s love for Barca was non-negotiable. This weighed on me during all the contract renewals. But I also had the feeling that I wanted new challenges as a footballer,” she said. It was time for a new challenge, but Caldentey left a legacy of her own at Barcelona.
A Decade of Dominance at Barcelona
Perhaps the highlight of Caldentey’s career is her time with Barcelona. She spent ten years in the club before she made the move to Arsenal on a free transfer. Despite her departure, the forward left behind enough memories to earn her fans’ respect.
She didn’t just win titles with Barcelona; she was an essential part of their victories. In 302 appearances, Caldentey scored 114 goals, according to Barcelona’s official website. She is the fifth-highest all-time goalscorer for Barcelona.
While in Spain, Caldentey won three Champions Leagues, six Liga F titles, six Spanish Cups, four Spanish Super Cups, and six Catalan Cups. These are 25 total titles to her name, plus she was a Ballon d’Or candidate.
While talking to The Guardian, Caldentey explained when she decided to join Arsenal. “I couldn’t say the exact moment I decided to go; you change your mind every day. You can think you’re mad to even contemplate leaving but it’s a very personal feeling, hard to explain. It was all transparent, calmly handled, I was able to focus on competing. And in the end, it was perfect. It was like: we’ve done it, I can go in peace. Arsenal was the right place,” she said. Indeed, Arsenal was the right place. It might be the right place for a long time.
A New Chapter in North London
After all these wins with Barcelona, it was time for a change, and Arsenal came knocking. “It’s hard to compare ‘Spain and England’ because there are two different realities there: Barcelona and the rest. My feeling is that here it’s every stadium, every team. It’s a different culture, the league’s competitive,” said Caldentey to The Guardian. Many would agree that the WSL is more competitive than Liga F. There is also the enjoyment that comes with a new experience. “I’m here at Arsenal now and I’m enjoying it loads,” Caldentey added.
She is already making a name for herself at her new club. Just like with Barcelona, Caldentey managed to win the Champions League with Arsenal. The underdogs and Renée Slegers proved everyone wrong, and Caldentey was one of the players who made this happen. She ended the competition with another title too. Caldentey won the fan vote for best goal of the 2024/25 UEFA Women’s Champions League for her goal against Lyon.
Versatility That Sets Her Apart
The Spanish star has proven she can find success wherever she goes. Her versatile playing style makes her especially dangerous on the pitch. With the ability to play as both a midfielder and a forward, she brings value to any team, Arsenal included. Her adaptability made it easy for her to find the back of the net at her new club. Additionally, Caldentey welcomes the opportunity to play in multiple positions while at Arsenal.
“It’s a privilege to play in multiple roles. I’m just happy to be on the pitch. I try to do my best. It’s fun to play with these teammates,” she told Mundo Deportivo.
Her unique playing style led to other honors aside from winning the Champions League four times with two different teams. According to JustArsenal, Caldentey was named Arsenal Women’s Player of the Season. She also won the WSL Player of the Season award.
Playing For Spain
Caldentey began her international career in 2017, and since then, she has successfully grown her fan base. The highlights of her time with Spain include their victories in the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Nations League. During the Nations League’s final against France, Caldentey scored a goal, helping Spain seal the win.
However, there are other moments that occurred during Caldentey’s time with Spain. When things got bad, she was one of 15 players to make themselves unavailable for selection. The players wanted the federation to change; they wanted to be supported. It takes a strong player to risk it all to try and get what they deserve.
Trying to Make A Change
Mariona Caldentey is not just an inspiration on the field, but also off it. She always wanted to make a change to things around her, including the Spanish League. In her interview with The Athletic, she shared how the league wasn’t on the same level as other leagues, including the WSL. She, however, hopes this will change.
“I don’t know if this struggle of women in such a masculinised place will ever end. I don’t know if it’s part of our job or not, but it’s what we and previous generations have had to deal with. It’s an extra effort that we have to make for the society we live in. We have to try to leave football better for the next generations than it is now,” she said.
The Story Is Far From Over
The 29-year-old player still has a lot to offer. She can give Arsenal more years, and you can expect her to continue to show out. Fans, teammates, and the head coach believe in Mariona Caldentey’s abilities. “She’s a total footballer. She’s got everything,” said Renee Slegers, according to the BBC. The head coach also said, “Last but not least, she’s a winner.” This is the most pertinent thing to say about Caldentey when discussing her career. She is a winner.
Featured image via Getty Images
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