Patri Guijarro, the unionist: "For us, being able to vote for the president of the RFEF was like women's suffrage in Spain in 1933."

Patri Guijarro (Palma de Mallorca, 1998) can't stop smiling. She's happy to return to Spain after a period away and with a perpetual focus, because she didn't want to give up until everything changed. She did, and her more brilliant football has returned.

Her coach at Barça, Pere Romeu, says he sees her at her best. Do you feel that way?

I'm very self-demanding. I want to improve every year, and my way of doing that is by analyzing myself. I feel like I'm getting there. This year I've returned to my position, and I'm very flattered that Pere sees that.

He missed the World Cup because he signed that 3 p.m. letter; it took him two years to return. He did so at the Games and said it was difficult. How are you feeling now?

It was hard to adapt, it's true. I hadn't been with the national team for a while, and I took that process calmly. Now I feel more like myself, more like Barça's Patria, more like Patria on a daily basis, and I show that on the pitch.

You didn't make the charts for many months, but you were still in the spotlight because people were constantly asking about you. How did you deal with that?

It was tough, it was tough. I didn't expect everyone to understand what I did. And I got to the point where I tried to focus on myself. It's true that the last few months were easier talking with Markel Zubizarreta and Gonzalo Rodríguez. The RFEF tried to calm everything down so I could return confident and at 100%, which is how I wanted to return, without any ifs or buts.

Has the group changed much compared to the one you left?

Everyone improves with age, and I think we have a blend of experience and youth that suits us very well. That innocence of new things, and then that experience allows us to teach the younger players as well. The mix suits us well and translates into boldness on the field. Off the field, we have very good connections and a good vibe.

Are they a more vertical selection?

I don't think we've given up on that direct game. We're used to Spain being all about touch, and no, we also have fast players who give us depth. Perhaps our opponents don't expect that. It helps us break the deadlock. I think we've evolved a lot in that kind of play.

Does the fact that they already think, as you said, "100% about football," translate to the field?

Of course. Now we have the perfect food, we recover better with more physiotherapists, a psychologist, comfortable travel, a gym on every level... Those details also make a difference on the pitch.

And cook...

I remember that in England [Euro 2022] the food was always the same, and when you're at the elite level, those details matter.

You were at the forefront of FutPro, the football players' union. Do you have a unionist bent?

I don't know if I have a unionist streak [laughs]. I think we players need to stand up for our struggle, talk to each other, and make our opinions heard. I lent a hand, but FutPro is Amanda Gutiérrez.

Now they have Reyes Bellver at the RFEF, who was a lawyer for FutPro.

That change was important to me because it gives us feedback . The players can talk to someone. Before, it was Markel, and now it's Reyes.

You were also elected to the assembly, how did you decide to run?

There had never been FutPro players who could vote, and finally, we were able to. For us, voting for the RFEF president was like the women's suffrage of 1933 in Spain.

Players usually shy away from giving opinions...

It's true that you have to be cautious because of the repercussions, but I think that as long as your opinion is coherent and respectful, it's yours. Although that varies from person to person; some people are more daring and others are less so.

He said that in his position you have to work quietly, but now that Rodri is a Ballon d'Or winner, maybe they can shout a little.

I was at the gala, and I'm really happy that a midfielder is a Ballon d'Or winner. We work in silence, but I feel very valued by my teammates, and that makes me happy.

Rodri, Busquets or Keira Walsh, which one would you choose?

The same with Busquets. It's true that when I was little, I really looked up to Virginia Torrecilla and Andrés Iniesta. I've been lucky enough to play with Virginia, and now I look up to Tere Abelleira and Keira Walsh. For me, they're the world's top players .

You were the first girl to finish high school at La Masia. What was it like living there?

I was the only girl, and honestly, they welcomed me quite well. I shared time with both soccer players and basketball players and felt very comfortable. The ease with which Barça offered me was very helpful, because finishing high school was key for me.

And have you finished physiotherapy yet?

I haven't been able to, because of my practices. The problem is, I can't just do some sports practices; I have to do more, and I don't have time.

They've said that Alexia is stronger, wiser, and more lethal at this European Championship. Do you see her that way?

Yes, I've been seeing her like that all year, with her intelligence, her wisdom, her calmness. She's passionate about soccer, and I'm so happy to see her happy, that she feels so Alexia and that she shows it on the field.

I don't know if they're going to let her continue being the locker room DJ or if it won't last long.

It's going well at the moment, so there's no reason to change [laughs].

Go ahead, tired of 'La Morocha' and 'Potra Salvaje', what do you think will be the national team's song at this Euro?

We're doing a lot of remixes right now, so I couldn't tell you one in particular. In fact, some have asked me, "What do we put in?" And we haven't chosen yet. I have to think about it. I hope to keep winning and that we can have another interview so I can tell you.

And the Queen's League? What was it like being an ambassador?

Well, it was something new, I wanted to see what it was like because people followed it a lot... Now I don't follow it as much, but it's a different, cool project, where people have a lot of fun.

Who is the queen of ping pong at the training camp?

Salma and Cata are very good.

Aren't they going to be able to handle them?

No, they're pretty good. It's true that Pina and Vicky are also very good, but I think Salma and Cata are the best.