From hell to heaven From being about to “throw in the towel”, for more than a year out due to the worst injury, to being one of the best goalkeepers on the planet. After overcoming a rupture of the cruciate ligament in her left knee, after 13 months of ordeal, Cata Coll reappeared in March 2023 against Valencia, in the 75th minute. Since then, the Mallorcan has lived a dream. A magical year. A fairy tale that still has no end. No one is disputing that tomorrow will be the classic league match against Real Madrid at the Alfredo Di Stéfano (6 p.m.), in which Barça can give the final blow to the fight for the title. “It’s a very important year in my life and I want to have it on my skin”, the Balearic explained yesterday, at the Blaugrana’s media day at Johan Cruyff, about the tattoo with the number 2023, still fresh, on his arm right
For some players, injuries wear them down, both physically and mentally, when they return to play. The fear of relapse becomes a shackle that prevents them from showing their best version. Unlike in the case of Marratxí. “The injury was necessary to mature, to learn, to know what is lost and value things. Today I am who I am because of what I went through,” the successful goalkeeper told La Vanguardia. During the recovery he incorporated a nutritionist and a psychologist into the routine, in addition to doing double work sessions. But the process was not without “fears”, of losing confidence. “What happened to me after the injury was a boost of confidence and energy. That she was the same again, even better. I was ready to do something big”, he emphasized about a summer that he will never forget.
When last season ended, 22-year-old Coll was with her friends in Malaga on holiday when a phone call changed her life radically. He was, against all odds, on Spain’s list for the World Cup despite having played just three games with Barça after he healed his knee. The rest is history. World champion and holder from the qualifiers, including the final, to the detriment of Misa. “The World Cup gave me the confidence to return to my level and then at Barça they gave me the opportunity. That’s what it’s all about, taking advantage of opportunities”, acknowledged Coll, who had already been under 17 world champion with Spain in 2016 and was chosen as the tournament’s Golden Glove. This season, in which she was also the Nations League champion, she was nominated for The Best as the best goalkeeper, a prize that went to Mary Earps.
After being loaned to Sevilla in the 2019-2020 season, the Balearic returned to Barça to be Sandra Paños’ substitute. Until this year, he has started in important matches, including the two against Madrid and Thursday against Brann, his first Champions League tie. “He is a reference for me. Hopefully I will be a mirror for those who come”, he said about the healthy competition with the Alicante player, who will leave Barça on June 30. “Cata has improved a lot in all aspects. Erasmus in Seville went very well for him. He has work capacity, predisposition… He has talent. The goal is well covered”, Barça coach Jonatan Giráldez praised his pupil before the match against Madrid. “If we win, we get to 12 points and will be closer to winning the League. We are focused on winning all four titles”, said Cata Coll, the present and future goalkeeper of a historic Barça.
