Maite Oroz discusses the strengths of the English league and her recovery

Maite Oroz, the Spanish international currently playing for Tottenham Hotspur, has spoken candidly about her experiences in the English Women’s Super League, highlighting several areas where she believes it surpasses the Spanish league. Oroz, who is currently in the process of recovering from her second anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, also shared her personal journey through rehabilitation and her hopes for a return to the national team.

Injury and Recovery

Oroz suffered her latest ACL injury last October during a match against Birmingham City. This was a recurrence of a similar injury sustained in 2018 while playing for Athletic Club. The midfielder described the moment of injury, noting she immediately recognized the familiar sensation of a torn ligament.

“I heard a snap and I immediately knew it was the cruciate. I had only experienced that feeling once before, in 2018,” Oroz recalled. She acknowledged that being injured in England, away from her immediate support network of family and friends, has presented unique challenges. “This time is different because the injury has caught me in England and far from my family, friends, and boyfriend. Also, although I’m getting better with English, sometimes it’s frustrating not to be able to express well what you feel or what worries you.”

Despite these difficulties, Oroz expressed gratitude for the support she has received. “Fortunately, my family has been able to visit in stages to help me, which I appreciate because there were times I was totally dependent. The club has also been fully supportive to make me feel as comfortable, embraced, and attended to as possible.”

Her daily routine at Hotspur Way is dedicated to her recovery, involving intensive gym work, physiotherapy, and on-field training, which recently included reintroducing the ball. “It’s true that you don’t miss certain things until you don’t have them. When I started touching the ball again, I thought, ‘Damn, this is what I need.'” She is in the final stages of her recovery, noting that while the worst is over, she is not yet at 100%. “I’m meeting the expected timelines, but I don’t want to rush or set a return date. The important thing is to see progress, for the knee to respond, and to return with guarantees.”

Comparing Leagues

Oroz has been following the progress of her former clubs, Athletic Club and Real Madrid, from afar. She believes that teams need time to develop cohesion. “I’m one of those who think teams need time to form. At Barça, they have been playing together for years, they know each other very well, and they make three or four signings each summer that strengthen the team. Then there are other teams that change their squads significantly each season, and it’s difficult to overcome that level or even maintain it,” she explained.

She advocates for greater competitiveness in the Spanish league. “I hope the differences will narrow because it’s great to have competitiveness, like here in England.”

When asked about the English league, Oroz was unequivocal in her praise. “The English league is better than the Spanish one in many things: facilities, stadium openings, the public that attends the matches… The support is as great as the investment, and that makes the competitiveness increase. It’s normal for many players to want to come here.” She further elaborated on the physical demands, stating, “Physically, it’s a very strong league, there’s a big difference compared to the Spanish League. The demands of the competition, but also of the training, are very high.”

National Team Aspirations

Despite her current focus on recovery, Oroz harbors hopes of returning to the Spanish national team. “It’s clear that I would like to play for the national team again. Brazil 2027? I am aware of the competition and the great players vying for each position, but I hope to be able to feel important in the national team. Now I am super focused on recovery and my goal is to return in the best possible condition.”

Rivalry with England

Looking ahead to the upcoming match between Spain and England, Oroz acknowledged the fierce rivalry between the two nations, describing them as “the two best teams in the world at the moment.” She anticipates a closely contested game, with outcomes likely decided by fine margins. “All the matches they play are very even and are decided by small details. It’s going to be complicated, but I hope Spain wins,” she stated. Oroz emphasized the mutual respect between the teams and the presence of world-class players on both sides. “They are two teams that respect each other a lot and have the best players in the world. I am proud to be Spanish and part of the English league, but I know who I’m rooting for,” she added with a laugh.

Datos clave

This development matters to FootballGames10 readers as it provides an inside perspective on the growing quality and appeal of women’s football leagues, particularly the comparison between England and Spain. It also offers an encouraging update on a prominent player’s recovery journey, highlighting the dedication required in professional sports.

Fuente: MARCA Futbol – https://www.marca.com/futbol/futbol-femenino/seleccion/2026/06/03/maite-oroz-liga-inglesa-mejor-espanola-muchas-cosas-instalaciones-estadios-publico.html