Aitana Bonmatí, in an extensive interview on the program Salvados de La Sexta, does not rule out a third squad of the players if the promised changes are not fulfilled.
The Barça player accepts everything that happened as good if “it serves to bring about definitive improvements, the fact that our World Cup has been tarnished will have been worth it.”
The best player in Europe and Barça star Aitana Bonmatí has opened up on the Salvados program on La Sexta in a very relaxed conversation with Gonzo.
Aitana has explained her version of everything that happened before, during and after the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Difficult decisions
Many wondered at the time why the players refused to attend Jorge Vilda’s calls. Time has passed and Aitana explains it naturally: “It was a difficult moment for us because we didn’t want to be with the national team. We act how we feel at that moment. We felt that every time the national team called us, instead of enjoying we suffered. We wanted treatment as professional as in the club. The difference was very big. And we made the decision not to go, to see if there were any changes.”
The subsequent decision of the majority of players to return to the national team to participate in the World Cup also has a logic that Sant Pere de Ribes has explained as follows: “Returning was not an easy decision. Yes, we had had an individual meeting with the Federation and they promised us changes. “Some were made for and during the World Cup, others were not.”
The Rubiales episode
Aitana Bonmatí has preferred not to delve into the fact that unleashed all the controversy and revolution in the Federation: “I personally cannot talk about something that I did not see and I would not like to delve into a topic that I should not, because it is in trial and I do not want to interfere in anything that could affect Jenni, it is a judicial process that is not fast. There are things that we asked for much more than the kiss. We have always tried to carry this internally.”
Can we draw positive conclusions from everything that happened? Aitana Bonmatí, very thoughtful, positively analyzes this turbulent stage in women’s football “If it serves to bring about definitive improvements, the fact that our World Cup has been tarnished will have been worth it“.
The obligation to attend the selection
Without Rubiales or Vilda, the controversies did not cease and the episode of Montse Tomé’s call and the obligation to attend is an issue that is still ongoing. In this matter, it is when Aitana Bonmatí has been most forceful: “We want professional treatment and what was seen is not professional at all. We had been asking for changes and we were very far from being a global example. For my part, they were difficult moments, with nervousness and anxiety.. We were forced by law to go to a place that we did not want to go to if some changes did not occur.” Aitana adds a very accurate reflection: “I don’t understand that there is a law that forces you to go with the team if one or one at a certain time does not feel well to go.“Monse Tomé did not call me personally. It is true that we all spoke afterwards and she said that she had spoken to some of them, but not to me. I found out when I saw the list, at the same time as everyone else. At first I was amazed, Yes, because I didn’t expect to be there. She surprised us.”
A third plant
Aitana Bonmatí trusts that everything that has happened will serve to further professionalize the women’s team but warns that the players will be attentive to ensuring that everything agreed upon is fulfilled: “I hope this is the case because There has been a compromise and the CSD has intervened, we are no longer talking only about players and the Federation. “I would like to think that everything that was discussed will pass, but if we have stood twice, why not a third time… It is always an option.”
The lack of support from the majority of professional players for the situation of women soccer players provokes this reflection from Aitana Bonmatí: “I didn’t expect it. I appreciate the support of everyone who did. I would like to focus on those who did.“.
Aitana has once again reclaimed herself as a fighter for gender equality.
And if they don’t comply, will you stand up again?