Mariona says 'Barça is the Club of my life'

A Barça legend says goodbye. After 10 seasons and 302 games and 114 goals, Mariona Caldentey leaves FC Barcelona and she does so in style, appearing in a press conference on Friday ahead of her farewell game on Sunday at the Estadi Johan Cruyff against Betis. 

Blaugrana through and through 

After an audiovisual resume of her career as a blaugrana, Mariona answered questions from the media and began by describing how she was a Barça fan from a young age. "My first footballing memories are of FC Barcelona. The shirt, Ronaldinho's boots, Camp Nou...Barça is my life and changed my life." 

10 years after her debut as an 18 year old, she recalled the day as if it were yesterday: "When I was 18 I had the chance to come. I did not think twice about it, there was no decision to take." 

After more than 300 games in a Barça shirt, more than 100 goals and 25 trophies, Mariona confessed that playing at Barça, "has been a wonderful dream, and after 10 years I leave more of a Barça fan than ever."

New challenges

"Deciding to leave Barça is very difficult but I think I am doing it in the right way," said Mariona. "The decision has been a difficult one because I am happy here. I had the feeling I needed new challenges so if I am leaving Barça it is to leave the Spanish league." 

Before heading elsewhere, the woman from Mallorca admitted that a new league is the motivation for her departure: "You see other league and you want to play in them. A footballer's career is short and it goes quickly. I am 28 years old and I want to try something new." 

Despite the goodbye, the striker revealed, "I will always be a Barça fans and I will celebrate the Club's successes as if it were mine."