Ona Batlle: ‘We’ve Never Felt Like Favorites

Barcelona’s footballer, Ona Batlle, addressed the media in a press conference ahead of the Nations League final between Spain and France, emphasizing that the team doesn’t see themselves as favorites despite their recent successes.

“France is a tremendous team; it will be a beautiful and contested final,” she expressed to the media. The Spanish women’s national team, after winning the 2023 Australia-New Zealand World Cup and securing a spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics, is now on the verge of clinching their first Nations League title.

Following a convincing 3-0 victory against the Netherlands in the semifinals and France’s 2-1 win over Germany, the ‘Roja’ and the ‘Bleus’ are set to clash for the coveted title.

“I see the team with a lot of enthusiasm, in good shape. It will be a very nice and contested match,” Ona Batlle stated in the press conference. Batlle, who received the MVP award in the semifinal against the Dutch, emphasized the team’s mindset: “We have the ambition to win everything, but without getting carried away.”

When asked about the pressure within the national team compared to FC Barcelona, Batlle was clear: “No, not at all. Our mentality is to win every game. France is a tremendous team, and we’ve never had the idea that we are favorites. Personally, I don’t feel any pressure. However, we have the ambition to win everything, but without getting ahead of ourselves.”

Reflecting on the fleeting nature of sports, Batlle noted, “In this profession, we have just secured qualification for the Olympics, and we are already thinking about the Nations League title. Football moves very fast; we have to enjoy it, but we are already focused on the next goal, which helps us stay grounded.”

As Spain becomes one of the three European teams participating in the Olympics alongside France and the winner of the third-place playoff between the Netherlands and Germany, Batlle expressed her excitement about the Olympic dream: “It’s something everyone dreams of; it’s very beautiful, and we’ll have to enjoy it. You can’t always be in the Olympics. I love sports, watching it on television. It’s a very special event, and personally, I have always followed it.”

Discussing her excellent form and versatility, Batlle mentioned, “I try to stay focused; I’m working hard on it. That involves knowing what position you’re in and understanding your role. I’ve adapted to playing on both flanks, and it’s working well for me. I couldn’t say if it’s my best footballing moment, but I am happy, and my personal moment helps. I am surrounded by good people, and it helps me perform better.”