The Ladies First Team’s Aixa Salvador speaks about how her experience in Uruguay is going
Villarreal Ladies First Team player Aixa Salvador is living the dream. The attacker is part of the Spain U17 squad taking part in the World Cup in Uruguay. From there, she wanted to leave a message for all the ‘groguet’ fans who love the Yellows Academy.
World Cup diary
Some of you will already know me, but in case you don’t, I’ll introduce myself. I’m Aixa Salvador, I’m from Castellón, I’m 17 years old and I’ve been part of the Yellows Academy for eight years. I’m part of the Spain U17 squad playing at the World Cup in Uruguay. Playing football has always been one of my passions and thanks to Villarreal I’m here today, fulfilling a dream.
I’m far away from home and I miss my family. It isn’t easy, and because of that, I speak to them every day, but my team-mates area making my experience unforgettable. It’s a great atmosphere, with fun moments, although we are always fully focused before the games. Representing your country at a World Cup gives you a lot of pride. We already won the European Championships, but a World Cup is different. I would say it’s the biggest thing for an athlete, and we’re currently experiencing it.
I’m sharing a bedroom at the Garden Inn Hilton Hotel with one of the three goalkeepers María López, who is a fantastic roommate. I’m having a great time sharing with her. She’s from Andalucía and she’s very funny. I laugh a lot. I get on really well with her, but as much as I get on with all of my other team-mates. There’s a really good atmosphere.
I’m far away, but I still feel like my Villarreal First Team girls are close to me. We’ve started the season really well and I sent them all my support from here to help them carry on winning matches. That will help us get closer to our dream of promotion.
When we have free time, we like to visit Montevideo. We’re living unique moments that we won’t forget. Now we just need to put the final touches to the great experience on the pitch. We’ve got a great team and we believe we can get to the very top.
A normal day isn’t the same as a matchday. Then, we’re all more euphoric and focused, keen for the game to get under way. In the first match we beat South Korea 0-4, and on Saturday we drew against Colombia (1-1), in what was a much tougher match. That was my first match in a World Cup. I was named in the starting XI against Colombia and I don’t know if I could explain to you how that felt. Hearing your team’s national anthem on the pitch and playing a match like that is a great sensation.
Our next match will be against Canada on Wednesday. I hope the next time I write to you I will be telling you we’re in the World Cup quarter finals. See you soon!
