MONTHLY SPOTLIGHT
OCTOBER, 2024
A trailblazing female footballer whose story is one of resilience and determination. From her early days facing challenges as a girl in a male-dominated sport to breaking barriers on the field. Her story is a powerful testament to the strength of hard work, teamwork, and perseverance.

This month we caught up with Carol Marin, FC Espanyol Captain and Almas Libres Football Coach during one of her weekly coaching sessions with our community. Carol, thank you for making time to talk with us. Tell us, how did you first get involved in football and what sparked your passion for the sport?
I’ve always had a ball in my hands since I was born and played football with my older brother. Football has always been a part of my family, and they supported and motivated me to play not only on the streets with other kids but also to join a football team, even if I was the only girl.
As a young girl from Valencia, did you face any challenges playing football or choosing it as a career?
When I started playing, there were hardly any girls practicing the sport. When I wanted to join a team, the first response was “no” because girls weren’t allowed. Fortunately, after a few days, they let me join, and I became the first girl at the club. My years playing in an all-boys team were very positive.
It sounds as though football has helped you develop resilience or confidence in other areas of your life also?
Yes, football has taught me how to manage my time and stay consistent in my studies, given the many hours of training and frequent travel across Spain. It’s important to be organized to succeed academically. It has also helped me learn how to work with different personalities, and how to be mentally strong and focused on my strengths.
That’s inspiring, and what is perhaps the most important lesson football has taught you that you apply in your daily life?
The biggest lesson is that hard work and effort are non-negotiable. You won’t achieve anything without giving your best in football or life. There are many factors you can’t control, like referees or teammates, but focusing on things outside of your control drains your energy. The same applies in life—focus on improving yourself. Teamwork is also crucial. If there are egos involved, the relationships and goals crumble.

With all your experience, what advice would you give to young girls just starting their football journey?
Enjoy playing football without worrying too much about whether you’ll make it to the elite level. If you don’t enjoy training and playing every day, it’s much harder for things to go well. Not making it to the top doesn’t mean failure. There are many with the same goals, and not everyone will make it, but if you don’t enjoy the process, you’re failing yourself.
Why did you join Almas Libres as a coach?
I saw a great opportunity to teach other girls how to play football, share my passion, and also meet new people.
What legacy do you hope to leave through your work with Almas Libres and in the football community?
At Almas Libres, I hope girls enjoy training, regardless of their level, and feel excited to return each week. I want them to feel fulfilled doing what they love. In football, my goal is to inspire more girls to think they can play too and to challenge the notion that football is just a boys’ sport. Being part of the elite for so many years has allowed me to witness how things have improved for women. Seeing young girls look up to us and want to follow in our footsteps is incredibly fulfilling.
If you had to give one piece of advice to women or girls playing football, what would it be?
Enjoy the game and hold onto the passion that got you playing in the first place. The level, category, or team doesn’t matter—what matters is your desire and ambition to improve every day.
How do you handle the pressure of being in the spotlight, especially in a high-stakes environment like professional football?
There are tough moments throughout the season, and a lot is at stake both individually and as a team. However, adding too much pressure can be counterproductive. It’s essential to embrace pressure as a positive, as it means you’re competing for something important. My family and partner help me a lot, and I also like to keep my mind relaxed by visualizing what I’d like to do during the game to feel more prepared.
What methods do you use to stay mentally focused and resilient, particularly during difficult matches or challenging moments in your career?
Listening to music that reminds me of happy moments keeps me calm and relaxed. I also visualise what I’d like to happen in those challenging moments.


At Almas Libres, we are always exploring how technology is supporting women in sport and what more can be done to promote this. What tools or applications do you use most, and how have they changed your approach to the sport?
We mainly use GPS to monitor workload during training and to track distance, sprints, decelerations, and accelerations during games. This technology helps us prepare better for games and recover after exertion.
Do you think sports technology is equally accessible to female athletes as it is to men? If not, what changes would you like to see?
As of now, at least in football, it isn’t the same. We don’t have access to advanced technology like VAR to assist referees and improve decision-making. I’d like to see this change to ensure fairness in the women’s game.
Carol, thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us.

Laura Jones