Maite Oroz smiles because she has touched the ball again. The Spanish international, which suffered his second ACL tear last Octoberdreams of wearing the national team jersey again in the future, although he knows that his present involves recovering well. “I remember that when I was injured Sonia (Bermúdez) called me on the phone. It is something that is appreciated and I will not forget. Like the support of many of my teammates,” says MARCA. Tottenham Hotspur player, international 15 times. “It is clear that I would like to play with the national team again. Brazil 2027? I am aware of the competition there is and the great players who compete for each position, but I hope I can feel important in the national team. Now I am super focused on recovery and my goal is to return as best as possible,” she emphasizes.
The Navarrese still remembers how she broke down during the second half of the Subway League Cup match against Birmingham City. “I noticed a click and immediately knew it was the crusader. I had only had that sensation once, in 2018,” he remembers when He broke the cruciate knee in his other knee – the left one – playing for Athletic Club.. “This time it is being different because the injury catches me in England and far from my family, friends and my boyfriend. Furthermore, although I am getting better and better at speaking English, sometimes it frustrates you not to be able to express well what you feel or what worries you. Fortunately, both my family has been able to come in stages to help me, which I am grateful because there were moments when I was totally dependent, as at the club they have gone out of their way to make me feel as comfortable, protected and cared for as possible,” she highlights.
Only those who have suffered this injury know how hard it is, not only physically but also mentally.
His life at Hotspur Way is focused on recovery. From 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. he works in the sports city: gym, physiotherapy and field workthe last week with the ball. “It’s true that you don’t miss certain things until you have them. When I touched the ball again I thought: ‘Damn, this is what I need‘”, he explains. “I’m already in the final phase, but there’s still a long way to go. The worst has happened, the hardest, but I still don’t feel my knee at 100%. For now I am meeting the deadlines, but I don’t want to rush or set a return date. The important thing is to see progress, that the knee responds and that it returns with guarantees,” he adds.
Maite Oroz, at the time of breaking her ACL in a match with Tottenham Hotspur
As a soccer player, the hardest part of this process has been the green away from the green. “You can’t disconnect completely, but I have had the need to isolate myself and think about other things. I have watched very little football on television and I have tried to occupy my time with tasks that have nothing to do with it,” he says. “Only those who have suffered this injury know how hard it is, not only physically but also mentally. Having suffered it before has helped me be patient, but that does not mean that we have to follow the path that is still just as hard,” he emphasizes.
There are other teams that change their squads a lot each season and that is how it is to surpass the level or even maintain it
Despite his disconnection, Oroz has been able to follow the evolution of his two former teams in the elite of Spanish football: Athletic Club and Real Madrid. “I am one of those who think that teams need time to form. At Barça they have been playing together for years, they know each other very well and they make three or four signings each summer that strengthen the team. Then there are other teams that change their squads a lot each season and that is how it is to surpass the level or even maintain it,” she explains. “I hope the differences get smaller because the cool thing is that there is competitiveness, like here in England,” he points out.
Maite Oroz in a match with the Spanish team
Oroz is one of the many – increasingly – Spaniards currently playing in England. “The English League is better than the Spanish League in many things: facilities, opening of stadiums, fans who go to the games… The support is as great as the bet and that makes competitiveness increase. It is normal that there are many players who want to come here,” he asserts. “On a physical level it is a very strong League, there is a lot of difference compared to the Spanish League. The demand of the competition, but also of the training, is very great,” he adds.
Spain and England are the two best teams in the world at the moment
Maite, who will watch the duel between Spain and England this Friday from a distance, talks about the rivalry between both powers. “They are the two best teams in the world at the moment. All the games they play are very close and are decided by small details. It is going to be complicated, but I hope Spain wins,” he comments. “They are two teams that respect each other a lot and that have the best players in the world. I am proud to be Spanish and part of the English League, but I am clear about who I am going with,” she says with a laugh.