Double Dare

The Spain attacker was announced in September as an inaugural squad member for NWSL newcomers Denver Summit, and is spending the wait on loan at Nottingham Forest. She admits early unease about dropping into England’s second tier, but says the professionalism she found there, with morning training, meals provided, organised travel and full medical and technical staff, outstrips much of Liga F, a comparison she calls admirable and a little enviable. There is comedy in the language gap, from mishearing ‘man on’ as a tactical instruction to taking ‘put your bodies on the line’ literally, and to beans at breakfast. She also reflects on Real Sociedad, a childhood Real Madrid dream built around Raul, rebuilding at Athletic Club, and studying medicine.