Spain’s smile has returned. It had been 689 days since Ana Sevilla Luján (Cuenca, September 20, 1991) last wore the national team jersey. The last time she, number 14 of La Roja, donned the captain’s armband was on October 22, 2022, against Finland (2-7). The Cuenca winger made her comeback at the official season opener, with the three-time European champions claiming a dominant 10-1 victory against Morocco. This marked a promising start ahead of the first FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup in history.
On November 19, 2022, Luján suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee during a league match against Marín (0-4) at the A Raña Municipal Pavilion. Her 17-month recovery journey ended on April 27, 2024, in a match against Poio Pescamar (1-1). Losing the Queen’s Cup final to Torreblanca Melilla and the league final to Burela was painful for her. Especially since she had just turned 33 and approached everything with youthful energy. However, she had already won her most important battle: making a comeback.
This afternoon, at the Football City of Las Rozas, she completed the second part of her plan, as outlined in the documentary The Final Countdown: Road to Equality. Though she had never been far from the national team, her smile lit up the stands when she stepped onto the grey RFEF track. The captain had attended nearly all call-ups, even with crutches. Standing beside Patricia Gonzalez, aka Peque, to collect the third consecutive European champions trophy at the Főnix Aréna in Debrecen, Hungary, on March 19, 2023.
Claudia Pons
Claudia Pons, the coach, has been one of Luján’s strongest supporters throughout her recovery. The Catalan coach never doubted Luján’s return to form, and for this reason. She placed her in the starting lineup—a clear statement of intent ahead of the inaugural Women’s Futsal World Cup, which will be hosted in the Philippines starting May 15, 2025. Though the exact dates are yet to be confirmed, it’s expected to be held between October and November.
After her long-awaited return, Luján expressed her feelings. “After almost two years since my last match with the National Team, there were moments when I thought I might not reach the level required to compete and be part of the National Team again,” she said. However, surrounded by teammates in the Spanish kit, she felt “very happy” and added. “I’m slowly regaining the rhythm that competition brings, but I’m very happy to be back and grateful for the confidence they’ve shown in me.”
122 caps and 38 goals
Now, with 122 caps and 38 goals for Spain, Luján has reset her international career. She made her First Division debut at just 15 years old and is now starting her 18th season at the top level. Her 13th with Futsi Navalcarnero. The team’s new cycle, with Spanish futsal legend Joan Linares at the helm, has her just as excited about her club’s future as her return to the National Team. “We’ve had a coaching change with Joan, who’s a true legend in Spanish futsal. We’re all happy, learning his training methods and style of play, and gradually absorbing the new concepts.”
Looking ahead to the season, the Cuenca-born player said, “The team has started well and is eager to achieve all the objectives that a club like Futsi sets, which means going for all the titles.”
Meanwhile, women’s futsal in Morocco faces its own challenges. After the unexpected dismissal of Aragonese coach Sara Merino seven months into her role, the team, now led by Adil Sayeh, is working hard to qualify for the World Cup in the Philippines. In their first of two matches against Spain, Morocco was overwhelmed (10-1), exposing the amount of work still ahead. Claudia Pons’ Spanish squad showed intense energy typical of the early Primera Iberdrola season. Irene Córdoba (Futsi Navalcarnero) scored four times, with Noelia Montoro opening the scoring and other goals from Laura Fernández, Antía (twice), Mayte Mateo, and Peque securing an emphatic victory.
