Mariona Caldentey

About

Maria Francesca Caldentey Oliver (Catalan: [məˈɾi.ə fɾənˈsəs.kə kəl.dənˈtej o.liˈve]; born 19 March 1996), known as Mariona Caldentey, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a forward or attacking midfielder for Women’s Super League club Arsenal and the Spain national team. Prior to moving to the English side, Caldentey played for Barcelona, making 305 appearances, scoring 115 goals and winning 25 trophies during her 10-year stay at the club.

Maria Francesca Caldentey Oliver was born in the Mallorcan town of Felanitx to Miquel Àngel “Morete” Caldentey Bennásar and Maria Oliver. Her father was a football coach and her mother is a nurse by profession. She has an older brother. Caldentey was taught by her grandmother, also named Maria, how to play the piano.
Caldentey began playing football at the age of four in her local team as an after-school activity. She later played futsal in Manacor, where she won multiple titles and played in three Spanish championships. Although Mariona did not develop in La Masia, she has had a lifelong connection to FC Barcelona: her father was one of the original members and promoters of Els Tamarells, the largest Barcelona…