Athletic Club are having a practically dream season. The red-and-whites, who sit fourth in Liga F, are just one point behind Atlético de Madrid, leaving them within touching distance of a place in the UEFA Women’s Champions League. If there is one name to highlight, it is Maite Zubieta, the 20-year-old midfielder who has become the team’s compass.
Since the start of the season, Maite Zubieta has shown an unusual maturity for her age. A fixture in the team’s starting XI, her performance has been spectacular, attracting the attention not only of the fans and the press, but also of Montse Tomé. Thanks to her great performance, Zubieta has been called up for the second consecutive time by the Spanish senior national team for the Nations League clashes against Belgium and England.
This call-up comes at a crucial time, as injuries to key players such as Alexia Putellas and Patri Guijarro have left vacancies in the Spanish squad. It is a golden opportunity for Maite Zubieta, who, despite her youth, has shown great maturity on the pitch and is more than ready to take this important leap in her career.
The name of Maite Zubieta is not new to the women’s football scene. For years, this talented player has been the protagonist of great feats at youth level. In the summer of 2022, Maite was crowned European U-19 and World U-20 champion. The following year, she repeated her title at the European Under-19 Championship, establishing herself as one of the most promising players of her generation.
The red and white player’s next objective is to prove that she is capable of being part of the squad that will play in this summer’s European Championship in Switzerland. Her first call-up to the senior national team came in the November 2024 break, where she made her debut in the 5-0 win over South Korea, replacing Tere Abelleira in the 74th minute. She also had minutes in the 2-4 win against France.
This season, Maite has played 15 games for Athletic, scoring one goal and assisting one. But beyond the statistics, what stands out is her versatility and quality on the pitch. Capable of playing both as a centre-back and as a pivot, his vision, intelligence and technical quality are undeniable. Her only goal in the league, scored from a free-kick against Deportivo, is a testament to her skill and precision on the ball.
She is not the only lioness to have been called upon by Montse Tomé. Adriana Nanclares, the keeper of the red and white goal, is also in the squad. Her season has been outstanding, although everything points to Cata Coll being the starter at the European Championship. Even so, her presence in the national team reinforces Athletic’s good work in the training of talent.
Maite Zubieta’s future promises to be bright. Her participation in the European Championship in Switzerland could be the perfect showcase to prove her worth on the international stage and consolidate her place among the greats. There is still a long season to go and a lot to prove, but the midfielder is already tipped to become a major player in women’s football.
Main image: @AthleticClubFem.
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