as interview with mery ruiz

[acchikocchi]

Writing up the notes for the Zaida story right now. (Thank you so much to everyone who's commented, I hardly even know how to respond. I just, I really appreciate it.) I did most of the initial research last winter/spring and I wanted to share some of the things I came across in the process. This is an interview from AS, via the fantastic website futfem.com, with Maria (Mery) Ruiz, the first (female) Spanish player to reach the quarterfinals of the Champions' League. The last few lines are pretty heartbreaking, especially for Madridistas.

Original Spanish here. Translation by yours truly, all corrections welcomed.

Her story bears a certainly similarity to that of Raul. Maria Ruiz, known to most as Mery, is a Madrileña by birth (06/13/1983), a Madridista by heart, and a striker by position. Last season she made the decision to leave Espanyol, just proclaimed champions of the Copa de la Reina, to play for Zvezda 2005 in the Russian league.

Mery's intention was to play, for the first time, in the women's Champions League: "Raul is a legend and has played many Champions' League matches, but I understand, apart from wanting to break records, feeling the need to keep playing anyway. I accepted the move to Zvezda 2005 because ever since I was very little I've wanted to play in the Champions. I saw the guys and felt envious. And it's a special competition. I get emotional just hearing the music. It was an experience I wanted to have myself and I'm enjoying it to the utmost."

In addition, Mery has already made history, by becoming the first Spanish woman to reach the quarterfinals of the competition, where she scored two goals. The rival to beat is Olympique Lyon (March 17th & 23rd): "They're the games of my life, though I'm aware that they'll be very complicated since [Lyon] are the current runners-up."

Mery realizes that she's an adventurer. She left Madrid at age 20 to sign for Estudiantes de Huelva. In the US she played at Indiana and for Buffalo Flash, in the second league, before returning to Spain, to Espanyol. But she acknowledges that her greatest dream is to play for Real Madrid: "I've been a Madridista since I was little and I feel a special sadness knowing that it will never be possible for me to play for my team. If Zidane had a daughter who played football, would she go to Atlético? I don't think it's too much to ask."

Comments

[acchikocchi.livejournal.com]

I would actually die if Real Madrid got their act together and started a women's side. I just. Aren't they embarrassed to be the only top Spanish team without one. I don't understand. I mean, I do, it's not marketable enough or whatever, but they have the resources to be so good, ugh. Also yes you are so right, ahahahaha, midfielders GALORE. I give it two years before it turns into Las Galacticas and we buy Louisa Necib and Lira Bajmaraj and probably Hope Solo.

omg I saw!! LIKE, AN ACTUAL CALL UP, WHOA. I really, really hope they qualify, though I want it to happen because they ~fulfill their youth potential~ and not just because there are more teams allowed. Though I would not turn that down or anything. because Veroooo. And Marta Torrejon. And Laura del Rio argh I want her to get her spot back. hello I am a fangirl.

Anyway uh as you can see I have feelings too so yours are very welcome here. Also, because literally no one on my flist will understand what I am yammering about: WHAT IS LIFE that Rayo win three league titles in a row and the season after I start paying attention to the league they slip to sixth and BARCELONA WHO HAVE NO (women's) HISTORY are top now. Just. Why. Aupa Athletic, man, that's all I can say.

[buyamattress.livejournal.com]

LAS GALACTICAS. YESSSSSS.

My hope is that they qualify for a big tournament, which gets them more attention and hopefully someone at the RFEF gets embarrassed enough that they have had THE SAME COACH FOR 30 YEARS and they finally get their shit together. And/or after being recently thwarted in their bids for the Olympics and the World Cup, they decide to go after hosting a women's Euro or a WWC and in doing so realize they need to treat their women's NT in a non-shitty manner.

Also I would just like to take a moment to say VEROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. (She posted a photo of her and Cristiano. I died.)

UGH BARCELONA WOMEN. I'M SURE YOU'RE LOVELY, BUT YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO WIN THINGS, OKAY? IT'S THE PRINCIPLE OF IT. OKAY.