On her back she wears the number ’10’ of the stars, but Caroline Graham Hansen (Oslo, 1995) does not like the spotlight. She feels much more comfortable in the shade. Perhaps that is why international awards have always been very unfair to the Norwegian soccer player. An intelligent player, with unmatched technical quality and a vision of the game that has placed her as the top scorer and assist scorer in the F League. This season she is on track to complete a record-breaking season. She has participated in no more and no less than 40 goals for FC Barcelona, ??scoring 22 goals and adding 18 assists in all competitions.
What is the secret?
Have a good team, so I can enjoy myself. I am very happy and very grateful to my teammates because in the end soccer is a team sport and if your team plays well, it is easier for things to go well for you.
What are their spectacular numbers due to?
Nothing has changed. I think I was playing very well the other years too, but since people only look at the numbers, they didn’t pay as much attention. I have scored more goals and people stay with that. And it is also for a visibility issue, now you can see all the games.
How do you get to this level?
With alot of work. Every day everyone tries to pressure her partner to be better. In every training session we have the best players in the world. If you know how to take advantage of it every day, you will surely improve.
You arrived in Barcelona in 2019, what evolution have you seen in the team?
When I came it was a team with a lot of talent, but also a lot of hunger. They had just lost their first Champions League final and everyone knew that they had to train more and prepare better physically, because everyone knew how to play. For me it was the perfect time to join this club.
And how have you evolved at Barça?
I have learned a lot. There are high-quality players and a philosophy of having the ball, playing and enjoying. This style helps bring out my best version. Everyone who likes football likes to have the ball.
When you’re not training or playing, what do you like to do?
Rest, try to recover because there is always a new trip coming, a new game and you have to prepare. So, during the season I try to disconnect and do other things.
As which?
Something on TV, going for a walk, going to eat, I don’t know, different things.
Barcelona’s climate also helps.
It helps the body and the mind because it is almost always sunny and that makes you happier.
Why do you like being the center of attention so little?
Because I don’t care. I’m not going to play better because I’m on a list or give a lot of interviews or be on social media a lot. I’m not going to enjoy the game more, nor am I going to improve as a footballer by doing these things.
However, inside the field it is something else.
I don’t like attention and fame off the field. Inside yes, because that is how you can have the ball and influence the game. These are the moments that I look for, in which I enjoy with my teammates to try to win the game with goals, assists… But what happens off the field, I am not interested.
What is it like off the field?
I try to do things well as a person. I try to enjoy myself with great humility because in the end the time I spend playing or training is a small part of my life. If what I do makes people happy, I’m very happy, but the important thing is to be a good person when I’m off the field.
Do you find it difficult to maintain a balance between these two versions?
I think it’s good that he’s not the same person on and off the field because that way you take a little more distance from everything. I can switch off and relax in a different way, and use my energy better when I’m inside.
Barça aspires this year to a poker of titles that no one has achieved so far. Is it talked about in the locker room?
No, really, we only think about a game when it arrives. The next one now is Levante and then we are going to talk about Atlético de Madrid, and so on we go. If you start thinking too far ahead, you’re going to lose focus and that’s when you fall. We are very calm and we know what we want.
Is maintaining the demand an individual responsibility, or a matter of the coach?
I think it’s a mix. Each one has to do work with herself and the coach also to motivate and push the team. In the end, if you manage to have good training sessions every day, we will have this habit when we play every three days, like now. We have worked this way for many years and we continue to do so.
Oshoala has left, Giráldez and Paños will leave at the end of the season… How is all this affecting the team?
I haven’t noticed it much. It’s sad when people leave and yes, it’s strange that Asisat left midseason, but these things happen. We are happy for her because she wanted to go play there so what are you going to tell her? And well, Cloths is still here. Until the season is over, nothing changes. We continue and we’ll see how it goes later.
Are you worried about not knowing who will be the coach next season?
No, I am very calm and so is the team. We have to wait to see what the club decides.
Would you like it to be someone from the inside?
Of course, everyone knows that things work and it would be nice if we can continue with this. The club knows that it would be good for us, but in the end, if they want someone from outside to come it will be because the club believes it is best. We’ll see, we don’t know anything, but we have open minds to welcome anyone who arrives.
A new stage also begins in Norway with the arrival of Greinier to the bench.
I’ve heard good things about her. I’ve spoken little with her, but I have a good impression, we’ll see how it goes.
Do you expect it to return Norway to where it was?
Historically I think we need about ten years to recover that. We need to have good feelings and qualify for all the tournaments. If we manage to be there, little by little, over the years we can recover. I don’t think this will happen in my time, but we can start building the foundations for those to come, that’s for sure.