Ona Batlle: ‘It was the Right Time to Come Home

Ona Batlle (born on June 10, 1999, in Vilassar de Mar, Barcelona) desired to return to Barcelona as much as the club desired to have her back. It was a destined relationship. The sun, the sea, family… but, above all, the full-back missed – and a lot – the club where she grew as a footballer. “She’s more Culé than the crest,” they say about her.

From the moment she left Barcelona – after finishing her stint in the reserve team – she knew she would return. Sooner or later. Ona Batlle speaks to SPORT as the new ambassador in Spain for American Pistachio, her eyes shining with a special glow when asked about her return home.

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Exuding Happiness…

I’m really good, very happy. Enjoying being at home, with my people, my family, having them close. It’s been many years since I was with them, they were far away. This gives me an extra boost, and I’m enjoying it a lot.

Was the decision to return an easy one?

I knew that I would return at some point. I always thought about it, but there wasn’t a moment to say, “This is it.” The opportunity arose finally, and it was not difficult at all to decide to come back. It was the right moment. It’s home; I missed it. Playing for Barça is a privilege, it’s the best team in the world, and we are the team to beat, I had no doubt about that. How do you experience Barça’s success from the outside?

I am a Culé, and I have always followed it. I’ve been very close, came to watch matches when they played here, or even some games they played away, especially in England. I also have and had friendships with several teammates, and I have always been very happy for everything they have achieved. Barça is an example for all Spanish teams, and I think anyone here is proud of what Barça has done and what we are doing.

What differences have you noticed since leaving the club until your return?

The intensity in everything. In matches, in training… Also, the desire, the winning mentality, and the competitive ability. There has also been an added factor in the physical aspect; we are at a good level to play and compete every three days.

How do you take care of yourself in your daily life, outside the Ciudad Deportiva, to be a better footballer?

What I try to do, above all, is to work on recovery, now that we have matches very frequently. Ice baths, sleeping well, having good nutrition… It’s something that needs to be taken care of a lot because otherwise, you can end up breaking down.

You left to grow in the elite. How do you see the opportunities that players like Vicky López, Martina, Lucía, Dragoni are getting now?

I think it is very important to take care of the youth academy. That the players who are developing see that they can reach the first team. That they can have real opportunities to play in big matches and important competitions to prove their worth. It’s an extra that you don’t have in the reserve team. Because it’s not only about who you play against, but also who you play with.

“It is very important to take care of the youth academy. That the players who are developing see that they can reach the first team, have real opportunities to play in big matches and important competitions to prove their worth.”
Ona Batlle

This upcoming generation is making a strong impact…

A lot. They are showing that every year, work is being done better in the lower categories. The reserve team, for example, is winning almost everything, competing very well against teams that have been in the top tier for years. This is something we have very good at Barça, and we must take advantage of it. We have a great future, and we have to take care of it and manage it well.

Some of your teammates say about you, ‘It’s as if Ona never left.’ Do you see it that way?

One hundred percent. In the end, I think I carry the ‘Barça DNA,’ and that doesn’t get lost. And I think outside, I have evolved, grown, especially physically. I’ve also played many years with several of my teammates at Barça, and this makes it easier. You know them, know how to relate to them on the field, understand how each one plays and how the other moves or marks. And what she expects from you. This is very positive in an adaptation process.

You have returned to a Barça that won three out of four titles last year. The bar is set high…

And this year, we want all four. We are at Barça to win.

To conclude, a small test that we do for new signings…

Best football memory?

When Barça signed me when I was young, like when I was a baby, when I was eleven [laughs].

A goal you will always remember?

The one I scored at Old Trafford. I heard how the stadium was falling apart, with all the fans celebrating it, and it was spectacular.

Which teammate would you choose to defend you in a bar fight?

Cata Coll, one hundred percent.

The best player you have faced?

Lauren Hemp.

And the best you have played with?

I get along very well with Salma on the wing; we have a special connection. But someone who always makes it easy and whom I love to play with is Patri Guijarro.

What does Patri have for you all that everyone mentions her?

She is a great footballer, you already know that. But beyond that, she is a great person, a very good leader, has values… You know those people who make you feel good when you have them around? That’s Patri.