With the Euros approaching this summer, several players are generating excitement among fans — but one standout is Clàudia Pina, whose remarkable career has inspired young girls around the world.
Pina started her career in futsal before transitioning to Espanyol’s youth academy in 2011 and later joining Barcelona’s youth setup in 2013. Since then, she has captivated the world with her exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to her team. In that same year she aided Barcelona’s infantil-alevín team to win the youth league championship, scoring 100 goals within 20 games. At only 16 years and 5 months old, Pina made her first official appearance for the senior team in January 2018, setting the impressive record of being the youngest player to appear for Barcelona in an official match at the time. Playing for Barcelona’s senior team, she has won the UEFA Women’s Champions League in back-to-back seasons, triumphing in both the 2022–23 and 2023–24 campaigns. Nationally, she notably contributed to Spain’s 2018 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup victory, named the best player at the tournament.
Claudia Pina has proved herself to be a player of impact, technically superior with a dominant possessive nature to access the pitch and secure a victory. The way she turns – it’s unbelievable. That kind of movement, you can’t teach it. It’s in her DNA. This was perfectly illustrated during the decisive Nations League clash between Spain and England. Substituted onto the pitch just two minutes earlier, she immediately showcased her goal-scoring instinct. Creating space with composure, she unleashed a powerful left-footed strike that beat Hannah Hampton and cancelled out Alessia Russo’s early opener. With Spain pressing forward, she struck again just ten minutes later, this time with even greater power and distance, securing a crucial win and sealing Spain’s place in the Nations League semi-finals. Her impact off the bench was a clear testament to her ability to change the course of a game.
Pina is an exceptional player with an innate ability to adapt to any match and instantly shift the momentum. As a young talent on one of the world’s most renowned football teams, her appearance as a substitute in a Champions League semi-final, where she not only levelled the score but also earned Player of the Match, speaks volumes about the caliber of talent rising within the sport today. Her unique vision and instinct for the game continue to shape its evolution and fuel anticipation ahead of the upcoming Euros.
Spain will kick off their Euro 2025 campaign this summer against Portugal on Thursday, July 3rd at 8 PM. Their group stage also includes strong sides like Belgium and Italy, promising a highly competitive start to the tournament. It’s set to be a thrilling summer of elite football, and a perfect opportunity to watch rising stars like Claudia Pina shine on the international stage.
