Mariona Caldentey

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María Francesca Caldentey Oliver (listen; born 19 March 1996), known as Mariona Caldentey or simply Mariona, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a forward for Women's Super League club Arsenal and the Spain national team.

Mariona Caldentey
Caldentey with Barcelona in 2024
Personal information
Full name María Francesca Caldentey Oliver
Date of birth (1996-03-19) 19 March 1996 (age 28)
Place of birth Felanitx, Spain
Height 1.64 m (5 ft 5 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Arsenal
Number 8
Youth career
Collerense
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2011–2012 Collerense B
2011–2014 Collerense 68 (17)
2014–2024 Barcelona 203 (73)
2024– Arsenal 7 (1)
International career
2013 Spain U17 2 (1)
2014–2015 Spain U19 14 (12)
2016 Spain U20 4 (2)
2017– Spain 80 (27)
Medal record
Women's football
Representing  Spain
FIFA Women's World Cup
Winner 2023 Australia–New Zealand
UEFA Women's Nations League
Winner 2024 France–Netherlands–Spain
UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship
Runner-up 2014 England
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:10, 16 November 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20:55, 3 November 2024 (UTC)

Early life

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María Francesca Caldentey Oliver was born in the Mallorcan town of Felanitx to Miguel Ángel Caldentey and María Oliver. Her father was a football coach and her mother is a nurse by profession.[1][2][3] She also has an older brother.[4]

Caldentey began playing football at the age of four in her local team as an after-school activity.[2][5] She later played futsal in Manacor, where she won multiple titles and played in three Spanish championships.[2] Although Caldentey did not develop in La Masia, she has had a lifelong connection to FC Barcelona; her father was one of the promoters of Els Tamarells, one of Barcelona's biggest penyes.[5]

Club career

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Collerense

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Caldentey began her football career in the youth of CD Felanitx and CD CIDE[6] before she was able to play in an all-women's team for the first time at the age of 14 at UD Collerense. Caldentey developed through the ranks of the UD Collerense youth system.

Barcelona

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On 30 July 2014, Caldentey signed for Barcelona after her successes in the U19 European Championship.[7] Throughout the 2014–2015 season, she made her Copa de la Reina debut in the quarterfinals of the 2015 tournament and scored in a 4–0 win versus Levante. Barcelona would exit the tournament in the next round against Valencia.

She suffered various injuries in her time at Barcelona, missing out on chunks of some seasons and not always being able to show her best level. Playing as an inside forward, Caldentey was key to this area of the team's formation and contributed to all aspects of the attack.[8]

Towards the end of what Sport called her best season for Barcelona, and one in which they won everything,[9] Caldentey announced on 5 June 2024 that she would be leaving the club at the end of the season. Having spent ten years at the club, she was among the top players for total appearances (303); goals (115, the fifth highest in club history); and trophies (25 trophies, the fourth most).[10][11]

Arsenal

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On 2 July 2024, Arsenal announced the signing of Caldentey on a free transfer. [12][13]

International career

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Youth

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Caldentey earned third place at the 2013 U17 European Championship, representing Spain. In the semifinals of the tournament, she converted her penalty in the shootout against Sweden, but would end up losing the match after the shootout ended 4–5 in Sweden's favor.[14] In the third place match, Caldentey captained the team and scored in the 42nd minute in an 0–4 rout of Belgium.[15]

She found more success during the 2014 U19 European Championship. Caldentey started every game in the tournament, along with scoring the first goal in the semifinal match versus Norway.[16] She started in the final, where Spain lost against the Netherlands via a Vivianne Miedema chip in the 21st minute.[17]

Caldentey also participated in the 2016 U20 World Cup, where she scored twice in the group stage against Canada and Japan. Spain were eliminated in extra time of the quarterfinal against eventual champions North Korea.[18] Her goal against Canada was named goal of the tournament.[19]

Senior

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In 2017, Caldentey earned her first senior national team call-up when Jorge Vilda named her to Spain's squad for two friendlies against Switzerland.[20][21][22] Two months later, she made her international debut in an Algarve Cup match versus Japan, subbing on in the 73rd minute for Amanda Sampedro.[23][24] Spain went on to the final against Canada and won the tournament, earning Caldentey her first international title.

Caldentey scored her first senior international goal in a friendly match against Belgium.[25]

She was called up to the squad for the Euro 2017. Caldentey started in two group stages games- a win against Portugal and a loss against Scotland.[26][27] After Spain qualified for the knockout rounds on their head-to-head record, she started the quarterfinal match against Austria but was subbed out in the 56th minute. Spain exited the tournament after a penalty shootout.[28]

In 2019, Caldentey was called up to represent Spain in the 2019 Algarve Cup, where Spain finished 7th place. She was also named to the Spain squad for the 2019 World Cup. She started each match in the group stage of the tournament, where Spain received four points and moved on to the Round of 16 for the first time in their history.[29][30][31] In the Round of 16 match, she subbed in at the 83rd minute for Virginia Torrecilla, and Spain would end up losing to eventual champions, the United States.[32]

She was among Las 15, a group of players who made themselves unavailable for international selection in September 2022 due to their dissatisfaction with head coach Jorge Vilda, but one of three who was selected for the tournament squad nine months later.[33][34] She was in the starting line-up for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup final as Spain defeated England 1–0 to win the trophy for the first time.

Personal life

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A municipal pitch in her hometown Felanitx was named after her.[35]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 21 November 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup UWCL Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Collerense 2010–11 Superliga Femenina 1 0 1 0 2 0
2011–12 Primera División 21 2 0 0 21 2
2012–13 22 7 0 0 22 7
2013–14 24 8 0 0 24 8
Total 68 17 1 0 69 17
Barcelona 2014–15 Primera División 26 11 2 1 3 0 31 12
2015–16 13 2 0 0 0 0 13 2
2016–17 18 3 3 0 4 1 25 4
2017–18 14 8 4 2 5 3 23 13
2018–19 20 9 1 0 7 2 28 11
2019–20 17 6 4 0 6 1 2[a] 0 29 7
2020–21 34 13 3 2 9 2 1[a] 0 47 17
2021–22 15 6 2 1 7 1 0 0 24 8
2022–23 19 6 1 1 8 4 2[a] 1 30 12
2023–24 27 9 5 6 11 2 2[a] 2 45 19
Total 203 73 25 13 60 16 7 3 295 105
Arsenal 2024-25 Super League 7 1 0 0 8 4 15 5
Career total 278 91 26 13 68 20 7 3 379 127
  1. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in Supercopa de España Femenina

International

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As of match played 25 October 2024
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Spain 2017 11 2
2018 2 0
2019 16 1
2020 6 4
2021 11 10
2022 8 2
2023 12 4
2024 14 4
Total 80 27
Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Caldentey goal.
List of international goals scored by Mariona Caldentey
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 30 June 2017 Pinatar Arena, San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain   Belgium 4–0 7–0 Friendly
2 18 September 2017 Stade de l'Épopée, Calais, France   France 1–2 1–3
3 8 October 2019 Ďolíček, Prague, Czech Republic   Czech Republic 2–0 5–1 UEFA Women's Euro 2022 qualifying
4 19 September 2020 Zimbru Stadium, Chișinău, Moldova   Moldova 3–0 9–0
5 7–0
6 9–0
7 27 November 2020 La Ciudad del Fútbol, Las Rozas de Madrid, Spain   Moldova 4–0 10–0
8 18 February 2021 ASK Arena, Baku, Azerbaijan   Azerbaijan 7–0 13–0
9 10 June 2021 Estadio Municipal de Santo Domingo, Alcorcón, Spain   Belgium 1-0 3–0 Friendly
10 16 September 2021 Tórsvøllur, Tórshavn, Faroes   Faroe Islands 9–0 10–0 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup qualification
11 21 September 2021 Hidegkuti Nándor Stadion, Budapest, Hungary   Hungary 3–0 7–0
12 7–0
13 25 November 2021 Estadio de La Cartuja, Seville, Spain   Faroe Islands 4–0 12–0
14 8–0
15 9–0
16 30 November 2021 Estadio de La Cartuja, Seville, Spain   Scotland 2–0 8–0
17 8–0
18 25 June 2022 Nuevo Colombino, Huelva, Spain   Australia 2–0 7–0 Friendly
19 8 July 2022 Stadium MK, Milton Keynes, England   Finland 4–1 4–1 UEFA Women's Euro 2022
20 11 August 2023 Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand   Netherlands 1–0 2–1 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup
21 22 September 2023 Gamla Ullevi, Göteborg, Sweden   Sweden 2–3 2–3 2023–24 UEFA Women's Nations League
22 5 December 2023 La Rosaleda Stadium, Málaga, Spain   Sweden 3–3 5–3
23 5–3
24 23 February 2024 Estadio de La Cartuja, Seville, Spain   France 2–0 2–0 2024 UEFA Women's Nations League Finals
25 9 April 2024 Estadio El Plantío, Burgos, Spain   Czech Republic 3–1 3–1 UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifying
26 31 May 2024 Viborg Stadion, Viborg, Denmark   Denmark 2–0 2–0
27 25 July 2024 Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes, France   Japan 2–1 2–1 2024 Summer Olympics

Honours

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Barcelona

Spain

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "Tenemos equipo para conseguir la salvación y soñar con entrar en la Copa de la Reina - Mariona Caldentey". udcollerensefem.blogspot.com. 18 July 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Artigues Ribas, Maria (21 September 2020). "¿Cómo que Mariano? Es Mariona". marca.com. Marca. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  3. ^ Menayo, David (26 March 2021). "Mariona: "Lo primero que haga cuando se pueda salir es ir a un japonés a comer un buen sushi"". marca.com. Marca. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  4. ^ Giovio, Eleonora (10 June 2019). "Mariona Caldentey, la pianista de La Roja". El País. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  5. ^ a b Giner, Christian (7 April 2019). "Quién es Mariona Caldentey, la 'salvadora' del Barça que creció en la calle". elconfidencial. El Confidencial. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  6. ^ "¿Cómo que Mariano? Es Mariona". MARCA (in Spanish). 21 September 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2023.
  7. ^ "El Barça hace oficial el fichaje de la mallorquina Mariona Caldentey". 30 July 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  8. ^ Tikas, Maria (30 May 2024). "El 1x1 de una temporada perfecta". Diario Sport (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 July 2024.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ Tikas, Maria (30 May 2024). "El 1x1 de una temporada perfecta". Diario Sport (in Spanish). Retrieved 7 July 2024.[permanent dead link]
  10. ^ "Mariona Caldentey to leave FC Barcelona". FC Barcelona. 5 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  11. ^ "Mariona: "El Barça és la meva vida i me l'ha canviada"" [Mariona: "Barça is my life and it has changed it for me"]. FC Barcelona (in Catalan). 7 June 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  12. ^ "Mariona Caldentey signs for Arsenal". Mariona Caldentey signs for Arsenal. 25 July 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  13. ^ "Arsenal announce signing of Barcelona & Spain star Mariona Caldentey on free transfer as Gunners bolster frontline following Vivianne Miedema's shock departure | Goal.com UK". www.goal.com. 2 July 2024. Retrieved 2 July 2024.
  14. ^ "Spain-Sweden - Women's Under-17 - UEFA.com". 25 June 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  15. ^ "Belgium-Spain - Line-ups - Women's Under-17 - UEFA.com". 28 June 2013. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  16. ^ "Women's Under-19 - Norway-Spain - Spain edge past hosts Norway and into final". 24 July 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  17. ^ "Women's Under-19 - Spain-Netherlands - Netherlands edge Spain to take maiden title". 27 July 2014. Retrieved 28 December 2019.
  18. ^ Menayo, David (24 November 2016). "Corea del Norte acaba con el sueño de España en el Mundial Sub'20". MARCA. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  19. ^ "La azulgrana Mariona Caldentey, mejor gol del Mundial Sub'20". 14 December 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  20. ^ Villarrubia, Begona (11 January 2017). "Nueve del Barça, convocadas por la selección española". Mundo Deportivo. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  21. ^ "Virginia Torrecilla, Mariona Caldenteny y Patri Guijarro convocadas con la Selección Española Absoluta". Futbol Balear. 11 January 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  22. ^ Menayo, David (17 January 2017). "Esther Sullastres y Alexandra López entran en la lista para medirse a Suiza". MARCA. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  23. ^ "CRÓNICA - España se exhibe ante Japón en su debut en la #AlgarveCup (1-2)". RFEF. 1 March 2017. Archived from the original on 5 June 2023. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  24. ^ Menayo, David (1 March 2017). "España debuta en la Copa Algarve con una trabajada victoria ante Japón". MARCA. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  25. ^ "Spain - Belgium 7:0 (Women Friendlies 2017, June)". 30 June 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  26. ^ "UEFA Women's EURO 2017 - History - Spain-Portugal--UEFA.com". UEFA. 19 July 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  27. ^ "Scotland-Spain - UEFA Women's EURO - UEFA.com". UEFA. 27 July 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  28. ^ "Así vivimos la eliminación de España en los penaltis". MARCA. 30 July 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  29. ^ "Spain - South Africa 3:1 (Women World Cup 2019 France, Group B)". 8 June 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  30. ^ "Germany - Spain 1:0 (Women World Cup 2019 France, Group B)". 12 June 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  31. ^ "China - Spain 0:0 (Women World Cup 2019 France, Group B)". 17 June 2019. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
  32. ^ "USA ADVANCES TO 2019 WORLD CUP QUARTERFINALS WITH 2-1 TRIUMPH VS. SPAIN". USSoccer. 24 June 2019. Retrieved 30 December 2019.
  33. ^ Jorge Vilda Recalls Players Who Resigned Back Into His Spanish World Cup Squad, Asif Burhan, Forbes, June 12, 2023
  34. ^ Spain v Sweden: Las 15+3, An International Team In Chaos And Lonely Jorge Vilda, Simon Lillicrap, The Sportsman, 14 August 2023
  35. ^ "Mariona Caldentey ya tiene un campo con su nombre en Felanitx" (in Spanish). 10 July 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
  36. ^ "Chelsea 0-4 Barcelona: Barça surge to first Women's Champions League title". UEFA.com. 16 May 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  37. ^ Wrack, Suzanne (3 June 2023). "Rolfö caps Barcelona comeback against Wolfsburg to win thrilling WCL final". The Guardian. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  38. ^ "Barcelona retains Women's Champions League title, completing historic quadruple". CNN. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 25 May 2024.
  39. ^ "Women's Nations League final: World Cup winners Spain beat France 2–0 in Seville". BBC Sport. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  40. ^ "IFFHS WOMEN'S UEFA TEAM 2023". IFFHS. 23 January 2024. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
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