Irene Paredes: “The attitude towards women’s football in Spain is changing”
The captain of the Spanish national team, Irene Paredes, has expressed her conviction that the perception of women’s football in Spain is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the victory in the 2023 World Cup in Australia. The current world champions have reached the final of the European Championship for the first time in their history and will face England on Sunday. This match represents a rematch of the World Cup final, where Spain won 1-0. Paredes, 34 years old, has highlighted that since the 2023 triumph, “steps forward” have been taken to modify the vision of women’s football in Spain.The player added that the victory in the World Cup has broken down many barriers and that they are now role models for children and for society as a whole. “Everything helps, but we are on the right track,” she affirmed. The World Cup victory was marred by the scandal involving the former president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, who kissed forward Jenni Hermoso without her consent. This incident triggered an 18-month legal battle, which culminated in Rubiales’ conviction for sexual assault on June 25th.I think that way of thinking is disappearing from society. I still believe that we have to keep opening doors, normalizing situations that are increasingly normal and that have to be normal.
Irene Paredes
Tom also added that the team deserves to be where it is and that now they can focus on what’s important, football. Paredes acknowledged that England is the team to beat and that, in his opinion, remains the favorite to retain the title.The daily work of this team has been spectacular, both from the players and the coaching staff, and tomorrow is a day to face the match well prepared and hope that everything goes well.
Montse Tomé
Paredes also assured that favoritism is not discussed in the locker room. “We are very clear about what is needed, what it has cost us to get here, how we have to suffer in each match, what we have to focus on,” she said. The match promises to be emotional for both teams. Spain is looking for the only trophy it lacks, as it has never gone beyond the quarter-finals in the last four tournaments, while England, after a tournament with ups and downs, wants to defend its title at all costs.From day one I said that England were the favorites, and they still are.
Irene Paredes
For Paredes, this final is an opportunity to continue making history, to show what they are capable of and to continue enjoying and making the fans enjoy.I think we have a team that has played important matches and big tournaments. So each of us knows how to manage a little bit of that tension, those emotions that sometimes perhaps surface a little more.
Irene Paredes
