With you, Patri Guijarro

"We have a midfield that's almost golden," says forward Martín-Prieto. She's referring to the fact that the national team's two midfielders, Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas, have won the last four Ballon d'Ors. But the Benfica forward also includes Patri Guijarro (Palma, 17/05/1998), the pivot, who completes the indispensable triangle in both Spain and Barcelona . At 27, the midfielder is playing in a European Championship with distinction.

At her most energetic, she seems to float above the pitch in Switzerland . She's all over the pitch, well-positioned, wherever she's needed. And after more than 300 games for Barça and more than 70 as an international, it seems the spotlight has finally turned on her as the star, perhaps because she rarely makes a mistake.

The Mallorcan, despite dominating the game in the semi-final, thought: "I could have done some passes better."

“She's underrated, but she's happy just when the team wins,” emphasizes young Vicky López. A phrase that perfectly defines Guijarro's concept of football : a team sport. She doesn't care about external praise, only about making the game easier for her teammates. That's why, veterans and youngsters, defenders and forwards, they all perform at Patri's level. “I don't do it for self-respect. I try to improve for myself and for the team. I've always said that the players and coaching staff value me, and that's what's important to me. But I feel like you're praising me a lot these days, and I'm flattered and grateful,” confesses the Mallorcan.

“She's a luxury. In my opinion, she's the best center in the world,” says Alexia herself. “She's the foundation of the team and the one who drives it. She makes us all play well,” adds Vicky. “She's essential for Spain. Her humble and hard-working personality allows the players up front to act freely,” analyzes coach Montse Tomé.

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This explains why Guijarro has only missed six minutes in the entire Euros. She has played 476 minutes in five matches and is the player with the most successful passes in the tournament, with 416. She is followed closely by captain Paredes (362) and England's Greenwood (310), both defenders.

The figure may seem cold, but it's no surprise when the top English midfielder in that ranking is Keira Walsh with 227. She shared a dressing room with her at the Johan Cruyff until last January, and she's her biggest weakness against the opposition. "It's going to be difficult to play against her because she's so good," warns Patri. "For me, she's England's key player and the one who gives meaning to the game with the ball. Keira's understanding of football is how I understand it," she compares. Although in that battle for midfield, the Spaniard surpasses her in passing accuracy (88% to 82%), in passes that beat opposing lines (79 for the Blaugrana to 44 for the current Chelsea player), and also in ball recoveries (38 to 24).

She has delivered masterclass after masterclass, especially in the semifinal against Germany, where she dominated every aspect of the game and reached 143 saves. But that wasn't enough for her. "And I can tell you that during the match, I was thinking that I could have made some passes better," she reveals, demanding of herself.

“If you only look at Patri, you'll smile when you see her play. If you really look closely, she's a spectacle,” insists Vicky López, who is delighted to share both club and national team with her. “It's beautiful to play with her. Sometimes there are passes that only she sees, and you don't expect them. She almost always passes forward and with purpose,” she adds. Alexia is also calmer and more comfortable when she has her back. “She's a facilitator in everything, even in pressing, because of all the ground she hogs. And let's not forget the quality she has. Her position is one of work, and it seems like it should be the antithesis of quality, but she's the complete opposite,” she praises.

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But all of this isn't news to those who know her best, who have been talking about her importance for some time. "Those of us who have been watching her for so many years and for so long aren't surprised by the things she does because she's always been doing them. She's an incredible, spectacular player," Esther says. "I can't compare myself to Patri," says Ona Batlle. "She should be nominated for the awards for 300% of the time."

What is certain is that, after missing the World Cup due to her principles and remaining firm in the fight against the 15-year-olds with former national team coach Vilda, her role is decisive. “For me, it's a joy to be here. The Games were a reunion, and this tournament is special,” she acknowledges. “It hasn't been easy for her this time,” admits Montse Tomé. “Her return has been gradual. We saw her doing well at the Games, but she'd been away from the national team for some time, and that's noticeable. Now she's doing very well,” she praises.

But Patri Guijarro isn't letting it go to her head. And she doesn't plan on changing her routine or her preparation for the final.

"I'm not going to do anything different. I'm going to look at the analysis of my last match and think about what they're going to demand of me in this one, because it's a different match." So simple, so difficult, so Patri.