We were able to interview Vicky Losada, a player who, despite being only 28, already has a long and distinguished professional career behind her. She made her debut at the age of 14 and, as well as playing for FC Barcelona, has also played for Espanyol, Western New York Flash and Arsenal.
Interview with Vicky Losada / Fútbol Club Barcelona's Captain
*Fútbol Emotion: Year on year, we’ve seen women’s football in this country gain more supporters, with steady improvements at all levels. Do you think this year could be the most competitive and high-profile yet?
-Vicky Losada: It’s clear that this year is going to be more competitive and attract more media attention, as the teams are strengthening their squads as never before. The coaches are better trained and the teams are getting better every year. They’re working harder and smarter, and the result is that absolutely every team is coming closer to being professional. This is important, and I think it’s going to be a brilliant season.
*FE: The Spanish women’s national team’s first goal at a World Cup (Canada 2015). How would you describe that feeling?
*V.L: I’ve been asked this question countless times, but I have to admit I never tire of watching it. It’s something very special, but perhaps because I’m still playing, I haven’t really realised what it means and I don’t fully appreciate it. Perhaps, when 10 years have passed and I’ve retired, I’ll watch it and it’ll bring tears to my eyes. In any case, it could have been any one of my teammates; I was simply lucky enough to be the one to score the goal.
*FE: Do you have any boots in your collection that bring back fond memories?
*V.L: I do keep a few pairs of boots at home; in fact, following on from the previous question, I even keep the shirt I was wearing when I scored that goal – my dad had it framed and we’ve got it hanging on the wall. I also keep the Mercurial boots I wore when I scored that goal – the edition Nike produced for the 2015 World Cup in Canada.
*FE: Is there anyone you’re particularly grateful to for helping you in your career?
*V.L: There are many people I need to thank for their support, but one of the people I’m most grateful to for all this is Xavi Llorens, the manager who gave me my debut when I was just 15. At that time, it wasn’t very common for youth players to be promoted in that way, or in the manner that Pep Guardiola later established, as my debut came before he arrived. Xavi Llorens put his faith in me, even though I was the youngest. Then, naturally, there was my family. I come from a very modest family and they’ve always been by my side. Even during my moments of greatest doubt, when I wanted to go to the US, they were always there for me.
*FE: You’ve been a Mercurial player for many years. What do you think has been the biggest improvement you’ve noticed in this new generation of Mercurials?
*V.L: I’ve been with Nike for many years, representing the Mercurial range. I genuinely believe that this latest generation is one of the best I’ve ever tried – the most comfortable and the lightest. The boot’s Flyknit upper moulds perfectly to the foot, and as someone with narrow feet, I love the feel it provides, as well as the perfect touch on the ball.
