Women’s Champions League
Appreciated by her peers for her bright attitude, the lioness inspired Barça’s comeback win in Eindhoven
Keira Walsh gets caught in a conga line that runs past the waiting press, trophy in front and chanting loudly. Eventually she withdraws to speak to the journalists and waits patiently while they finish another interview.
Rolfö crowns Barcelona’s comeback against Wolfsburg and wins the thrilling WCL final
“Keira’s a great player,” Caroline Graham Hansen calls out over the din and Walsh grins in response, sunglasses on, flag slung, gold Champions League medal around his neck after Saturday’s win over Wolfsburg in Eindhoven. “Keira brings spirit and joy to the team.”
It wasn’t the first time Graham Hansen has praised Walsh, who joined Barcelona from Manchester City last summer and has her sights set on that first Champions League win. “She’s a fantastic player and we’re very lucky to have her,” said the winger in Friday’s pre-game press conference. “She has a very good view of the game. She has adapted well. It’s not easy to come to Barça and play as number 6. She mastered that with ease.”
“Her passing, her understanding of the game where she can win the ball for us and let us keep attacking, that was great,” added Graham Hansen. “Also it was fantastic to have her as a person in the dressing room, a very good person who gives a lot to the football team off the field, which is very important to create a good team atmosphere and to work for each other.”
Keira Walsh (right) celebrates with Ana-Maria Crnogorcevic after the final whistle. Photo: Catherine Ivill/Uefa/Getty Images
Walsh played a crucial role as Barcelona came from two goals down at the Philips Stadion to win 3-2 and secure their second European title. “I think Keira could easily have been named Player of the Match today but you probably have to score to get one of those,” said her Barça and England teammate Lucy Bronze. “Our midfielders are incredible and the fact that Keira has been able to command a midfield has shown more than anyone on the field, in my opinion, why she is one of, if not the, best defensive midfielder in the world.” world in the moment.”
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A bold opinion long held by a few people, but now that Walsh is a European champion for club and country, a view that is widely accepted and recognized.
In 2019, then-Manchester City manager Nick Cushing described Walsh as “unrivalled by the smartest players I’ve ever worked with”, adding: “In European football you have to be in the spaces and in the manner , how she plays, to be so smart.” It is central for us to pick up and influence the playmaking, to dictate the game and to help other players.”
Two-goal Patri Guijarro praised Walsh’s influence on her team-mates since arriving last summer. Photo: Tullio Puglia/Uefa/Getty Images
Patri Guijarro, who scored Barcelona’s first two goals on Saturday and was named player of the match, underscored how quickly Walsh has integrated into the most technical midfield in the world. “Playing with Keira makes football easier,” Guijarro said. “It’s true that adapting to FC Barcelona isn’t easy. She did it in record time. She adapted so well because of her ability to understand football.
“We helped her, but her skills allowed her to do what she did. After Christmas everything was easier. We managed to adjust to each other and showed that flexibility on the pitch and in our game.”
England’s Beth Mead called the dispute over the World Cup release date “unfair” to players.
Walsh ran to the stands to celebrate with her best friend and England team-mate Leah Williamson, Williamson’s Arsenal team-mate Lia Walti, her parents and her agent after Fridolina Rolfö sealed the win in the 70th minute. She later admitted that it took her a few months to really settle down in Catalonia. “It took some time,” Walsh said. “I think after Christmas I felt most comfortable and confident. Playing with these players makes it easy.”
All of that is good news for England, of course, as they have two Champions League winners in their ranks ahead of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which begins on July 20.
“It’s a very good thing for England,” said Beth Mead on the morning of the final. “Keira has a special quality. Anyone who watched the EM final knows that she played Tooney the forward pass that most people wouldn’t play [Ella Toone] for the goal that set us on the path.
“Keira, she just makes football look easy. You feel good there as a team and as a striker. You know you get the ball when you get that run because Keira sees things before other people.”
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