The 2nd Mundo Deportivo Women's European Football Gala has recognized the best stars of the continent's major leagues, among which three young promises from FC Barcelona have shone with their own light, such as Claudia Pina (Impact International trophy), Salma Paralluelo ( Best Goal) and Júlia Bartel (Promise Trophy). A generation that has praised another of the winners, Alexia Putellas, who has received the MVP trophy: “Our generation grew up in an environment in which the coaches were not qualified and it was not a professional environment and now they have all this. The next generations will be better and better.”
"The commitment that Barça makes to women's football is important," admits Claudia Pina, who assures that the fact that "young people are getting stronger every time means that things will get better and better. We are seeing very good things in the club and that is what we have to focus on to be a better team every day”.
This commitment is reflected in the successes both at the club level and for national teams in the lower categories. Júlia Bartel, 18, has added a gold medal this summer in the U-20 World Cup and another in the U-19 European Championship. “It's amazing the summer we've had. Awards like this are an extra motivation to keep going", acknowledges the azulgrana, who hopes "to continue improving and growing as a footballer and person to reach the first team".
Something that Salma Paralluelo did this summer, coming from Villarreal. The young 18-year-old striker won the award for the best goal of the year thanks to the fantastic shot with which Johan Cruyff pierced the goal when he was still wearing the Villarreal shirt. "The goal gave us hope of being able to win the game, but unfortunately they scored four," recalls the now Barça player, who assures that signing for Barcelona and leaving athletics - a discipline that he combined with football - was "a very difficult decision" but that the support of Barça “made it easier”.
But the azulgranas have not been the only ones awarded at the Old Damm Factory. The historic Swedish player Lotta Schelin has won the legend trophy for her contribution to women's football, being part of the golden age of Olympique de Lyon and being the player who has scored the most goals with the Sweden shirt, ahead of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
The Atlético de Madrid goalkeeper, Lola Gallardo, has been recognized with the Sports Values trophy for her work for social inclusion and diversity; and the Swiss international Riola Xhemaili (Freiburg) has received the Talent trophy at a gala that has also rewarded FC Barcelona for the world attendance record achieved at the Camp Nou last year, when 91,553 spectators watched the semi-final match against Wolfsburg .
