Cata Coll: “I’m going to be the same Cata as always”

Nobody calls her by her name (Catalina Thomashistorically a saint from Valldemosa from whom she inherited the name in memory of her grandmother) and very few pronounce correctly the diminutive (Cata) by which she is known in the world of football. The Barcelona and Spanish national team goalkeeper attends MARCA before facing Canada in Almendralejo.

The post-Olympic Games era begins in the national team. What is your assessment of Paris 2024?

It was not the expected result, neither personally nor collectively. It was the first time we went to the Games and I think that finishing fourth is something to be proud of. This team always wants to win because it has an incredible ambition, but we have to learn, improve and focus on how beautiful the Euro Cup is for us.

What went wrong in the Olympic event?

It was a mix of everything. It is true that the team was physically tired, after many games between the team and the national team; the game did not go smoothly for us; and we had to manage the frustration of seeing things not working out. We learned a lot from what happened and from there it is time to move forward.

Have you given much thought to the semifinals against Brazil?

Ufff, many, but I better not tell you what has crossed my mind [Resopla]. When things stop going your way you have to know how to manage that frustration. Just as the team has to learn from how we play, I have to learn from what happened to me. Sometimes it’s good to hit rock bottom to rise again.

I have thought a lot about the game against Brazil… The host was great

Cata Coll, Barcelona player

She went from heroine in the quarterfinals against Colombia to villain in the semifinals against Brazil.

The host was big. I went from being on top to making a mess, right? I am a young aunt, I will learn from this and I hope I still have a lot of football left. I know that many people criticized me, it is part of the sport, but I am calm with what I did and I will continue the same.

Has that game changed you?

After such a hard blow, confidence drops, but then a new season begins, you are with the club and you know that you have to be 100%. Now I feel like I’m not at my best, but I’m working on it. I’m going to trust myself and I know that everything will work out.

Will he stop doing ‘Catinhas’ (dribble)?

No no! [Risas] I already did one against City in the Champions League. I’m going to be the same Cata as always, but I have to go calmly and the time will come when I find the lost confidence.

Have you needed outside help?

Yes, but it is true that I had already been working with a psychologist. My family, my parents and my partner, those who are close, are the ones who are really there in the bad times, the ones who make me happy and the ones who encourage me to move forward.

She was criticized by Terciane – a Brazilian player – who even said that she almost broke her hand when she shook it.

It was funny to me because just as they cheered themselves up in the locker room tunnel, we did the same in our own way and how we felt like it at that moment. I don’t understand the criticism. And the hand thing… I shake hands like that with everyone. The group stage match was the same and they didn’t complain then. For me they had a lot of disrespect. I don’t understand how a team can do that and even more so among colleagues, but if they have decided that way, go ahead and that’s it.

Precisely against Brazil they broke his nose. Is she recovered?

I have it crooked, but it is what it is. That’s football. They told me I should have surgery, but I’m not going to lose a month and a half of games because I have surgery.

There was talk of failure, disappointment, slippage… Does criticism bother you?

No, it makes me laugh when I read certain things. We are public figures and everyone can give their opinion, but I believe that you cannot judge a goalkeeper for a mistake or failure. Sometimes I laugh at what is said or written and other times they make me angry because I know they mean harm. It doesn’t bother me, really, but footballers also have families. You have to accept everything, criticism and praise, and give them the right importance.

On social networks the level of ‘haters’ is higher.

Yes, without a doubt. I left Twitter—now It seemed incredible to me. Now I’m a little more out. I prefer not to be exposed there because of my head, for mental health.

You can’t always win…

You are bad used to it! It seems normal that we win everything and it is not easy when you play against other teams or clubs that have very good players. You have to value when you win and understand that you cannot always achieve it.

Now they have the opportunity to overcome Canada and Italy.

It seems like we always have to claim something. A tournament went wrong for us and maybe we weren’t at our best level, but we are the same as always and we have the same ambition. Life is about trying, giving ourselves opportunities and we will do so in these two games and in whatever comes next.

Is there already talk about the Euro Cup in the locker room?

No, I think it’s still far away. We are focused on what is coming, on trying to connect, pick up the pace and recover the good feelings.

Misa is at a high level, but I’m not the one who makes the lists

Cata Coll, Barcelona player

The absence of Mass in this call is striking. Are you surprised?

The thing is that I don’t make lists and I can’t decide who comes and who doesn’t. I think it is true that (Misa) is at a high level, but also Sulli (Sullastres) and Adri (Nanclares). In Spain we have a very good level of goalkeepers. I can say little more.

Do you feel entitled?

No!. The competition is getting bigger and people are pushing hard. I think that if I felt like I was the owner I would have a very big problem. Anyone can play.

Where do you feel you have more competition: at the club or in the national team?

On both teams. At Barça there is very good competition. I would tell you that no one trains like Gemma and Ellie do, when I come back it will be the same.

But he is playing almost everything.

Obviously, what I want is to play and have regularity. I think that as a player you cannot stagnate or assume things that can happen because many decisions are not yours. It’s time to keep working and give 100% both individually and for the team.

Does it feel like time is passing too quickly?

It’s something my mother repeats to me and she’s right. I am happy with my career and I hope it continues that way.

How do you handle fame?

Good, as always. I continue doing the same thing as always, I have a very quiet life. Maybe in Mallorca they know me better. Sometimes they have stopped me to ask for a photo, but it is something I understand because at the time I would have done it with Dudu Aouate.