Cata Coll
Catalina Tomàs Coll Lluch (born 23 April 2001), known as Cata Coll, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Liga F club FC Barcelona and the Spain women's national team.[1][2][3] Born in Mallorca, Coll began her youth career with local club Collerense before joining FC Barcelona's academy in 2019.[3] She spent the 2019–20 season on loan at Sevilla FC, making 18 appearances in the Primera División, which helped establish her as a promising talent in Spanish women's football.[4] Upon returning to Barcelona in 2020, she gradually rose through the ranks, debuting in the UEFA Women's Champions League against PSV Eindhoven in December 2020 and becoming the team's first-choice goalkeeper during the 2023–24 season. In the 2024–25 Liga F season, she won the Zamora Trophy as the league's top goalkeeper.[3][5] With Barcelona, Coll has contributed to an impressive array of domestic and international successes, including five consecutive Liga F titles from 2020–21 to 2024–25, four Copa de la Reina wins in the same period, four Spanish Super Cup triumphs from 2021–22 to 2024–25, and three UEFA Women's Champions League titles between 2020–21 and 2023–24.[3] In October 2025, she extended her contract with the club until mid-2029, solidifying her long-term commitment to the Blaugrana.[6] On the international stage, Coll captained Spain's U-17 team to victory in the 2018 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship and the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup, where she notably saved two penalties in the quarterfinal shootout.[7] She made her senior debut for the Spain national team in 2023 during the FIFA Women's World Cup, starting as the second-choice goalkeeper but becoming the starter from the round of 16 onward, including keeping a clean sheet in the final as Spain won the tournament.[8][9] Additional honors include the 2023–24 UEFA Women's Nations League title and participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Spain finished fourth. She also started in goal for Spain at the 2025 UEFA Women's Euro, where the team reached the final but lost to England on penalties.[3][10] Her performances earned her a nomination as a finalist for The Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper in 2023.[8]Biography
Early life
Catalina Thomas Coll Lluch, known professionally as Cata Coll, was born on 23 April 2001 in Pòrtol, a locality within the municipality of Marratxí on the island of Mallorca, Spain.[3][7][11] She grew up in a supportive family environment that encouraged her early passion for sports, particularly football, providing the backing she needed from a young age when she expressed interest in the game.[12][13] Coll's introduction to organized football came at age six, when she joined the local club Sporting Sant Marçal in 2007, initially playing as a central defender in youth teams that were predominantly boys' due to the scarcity of girls' squads on the island at the time.[14][7][15]Personal life
She maintains a private personal life, with no publicly confirmed romantic relationships or partnerships as of 2025.[7] Residing in Barcelona due to her professional commitments with FC Barcelona, she draws from her Mallorcan heritage and enjoys beach activities as a way to unwind.[3][16]Club career
UD Collerense
Cata Coll joined UD Collerense in July 2016 at the age of 15, transferring from Atlético Marratxí to bolster the senior team's goalkeeping options in the Segunda División following the club's recent relegation.[17] As a product of local youth academies in Mallorca, she quickly integrated into the first-team setup, beginning her senior professional career with the Palma-based club.[11] Over three seasons with Collerense in the second tier, Coll established herself as a reliable goalkeeper, contributing to the team's stability amid competitive challenges.[11] Her standout performance came in the 2018–19 season during the promotion playoffs, where she saved a crucial penalty in the 90th minute against rivals Son Sardina in a Palma derby, securing a 2–1 victory and Collerense's ascent to the newly formed Primera División B, the revamped second division with 32 teams nationwide.[18] This achievement marked the club's return to prominent national representation after a decade, with Coll's intervention proving pivotal in the tense second leg of the playoff.[18] In July 2019, shortly after the promotion success, Coll departed Collerense to sign with FC Barcelona on a contract until 2023, marking the end of her formative years at her debut senior club.[19]FC Barcelona
Cata Coll joined FC Barcelona on 9 July 2019, signing a contract until 30 June 2023, and initially served as the backup goalkeeper to Sandra Paños.[19] After spending the 2019-20 season on loan at Sevilla FC, where she made 21 appearances in the Primera División, Coll returned to Barcelona in 2020 to continue in a supporting role.[3] Coll's breakthrough occurred during the 2022-23 season following Paños's left ankle sprain in September 2022, which elevated her to first-choice status; she appeared in 3 Liga F matches and made 7 appearances in the UEFA Women's Champions League that year.[20] She played a pivotal role in Barcelona's successful campaign, starting in the Champions League final against VfL Wolfsburg on 3 June 2023, contributing to a 3-2 victory that secured the club's second European title. In the 2023-24 season, with Paños departing in summer 2024, Coll became the undisputed starter across all competitions, helping Barcelona achieve a domestic quadruple including another Champions League triumph with a 2-0 win over Olympique Lyonnais in the final, where she recorded a clean sheet.[21][22] Entering the 2024-25 season, Coll continued her strong form, registering multiple clean sheets in Liga F and Champions League matches while balancing international commitments, such as preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics, which positively influenced her club performances upon return.[23] Her standout international moment, saving a penalty in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup final for Spain, provided a confidence boost that translated to her club role, solidifying her as Barcelona's primary goalkeeper.[24] On 13 October 2025, Barcelona announced a contract extension for Coll until June 2029, by which point she had accumulated 95 appearances and 61 clean sheets for the club; by November 2025, she reached 100 official appearances.[23][25] International duties have occasionally limited her availability for club fixtures, but her integration has remained seamless.[26]International career
Youth career
Coll received her first call-up to the Spain under-17 national team in 2016 at the age of 15, making her debut during the qualifiers for that year's UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship.[27] Although she served as a substitute during Spain's bronze medal win at the 2016 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Jordan, she was part of the squad for the UEFA tournament in Belarus, where Spain reached the final but lost to Germany on penalties.[28] Her early experiences with the U17 side, supported by her development in UD Collerense's youth setup, laid the foundation for her rapid progression in international youth football.[3] A standout performer in 2018, Coll started as goalkeeper for Spain's U17 team at the UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship in Lithuania, appearing in all five matches as the squad claimed the title with a 2–0 victory over Germany in the final.[27] Later that summer, she captained the team to triumph at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in Uruguay, where her performances earned her the Golden Glove award as the tournament's best goalkeeper.[28] These achievements highlighted her leadership and shot-stopping ability at the highest youth levels. Coll advanced to the Spain under-19 team during the 2018–19 season, accumulating 11 caps and contributing to qualification for the 2019 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship in Scotland, where Spain advanced to the semi-finals before falling to England.[4] By the end of 2019, she had earned approximately 29 youth international appearances across the U17 and U19 levels.[4] This strong youth record paved the way for her inclusion in senior team considerations starting in 2020, marking her graduation from the youth system ahead of her eventual senior debut.[9]Senior career
Cata Coll made her senior international debut for the Spain women's national team on 5 August 2023, starting in the round of 16 at the FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand against Switzerland in a 5–1 victory.[29] She retained her place as starter for the subsequent knockout matches, including the quarter-final against the Netherlands (2–1 after extra time), the semi-final against Sweden (2–1), and the final against England on 20 August 2023.[9] In the final, Coll saved a first-half penalty from Lauren Hemp and secured her first senior clean sheet in a 1–0 win, helping Spain claim their inaugural Women's World Cup title.[30] Coll's World Cup performances marked her breakthrough as Spain's primary goalkeeper, transitioning from backup to key contributor amid the tournament's high-stakes environment. Her composure in possession and shot-stopping ability were pivotal, as noted by FIFA's goalkeeping expert, who highlighted her rapid adaptation despite entering with no prior senior caps.[9] At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Coll served as first-choice goalkeeper, starting all six matches for Spain, who finished fourth after group-stage wins over Japan (2–1), Nigeria (1–0, clean sheet), and Brazil (2–0, clean sheet), a quarter-final penalty shootout victory over Colombia (2–2, 4–2 on penalties), a 4–2 semi-final loss to Brazil, and a 1–0 bronze-medal defeat to Germany. She recorded two clean sheets across the tournament, including strong distributions that supported Spain's build-up play.[31][32] Coll continued as Spain's mainstay in the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 qualifiers, starting multiple matches to secure qualification, and anchored the defense throughout the tournament in Switzerland. She played key roles in Spain's run to the final, including a crucial double save in the semi-final against Germany to preserve a clean sheet in regular time, though Spain ultimately fell to England in a penalty shootout after a 1–1 draw.[33][10] By November 2025, Coll had accumulated 32 senior caps for Spain, achieving 20 clean sheets and establishing herself as a cornerstone of the defense. Following the 2023 World Cup triumph, she emerged as a vocal supporter in the team's "new era" amid disputes with the Royal Spanish Football Federation, including the Luis Rubiales scandal; Coll publicly expressed disappointment that the victory was overshadowed and backed player-led demands for structural reforms and equality.[34][35]Professional profile
Playing style
Cata Coll is renowned for her role as a modern sweeper-keeper, frequently advancing high up the pitch to intercept threats and contribute to Barcelona's possession-dominant build-up play.[26][9] This style aligns with her comfort in risk-taking scenarios, where she acts as an additional outfield player, evidenced by her 94.6% pass completion rate during the 2024-25 season, including 97.4% accuracy on short passes essential for initiating attacks.[1][26] Her key strengths include exceptional reflex saves, a commanding presence in the penalty area, and proficiency in one-on-one duels, allowing her to sweep aggressively and prevent counter-attacks.[9] At 1.70 meters tall, Coll leverages her compact, athletic build for strong aerial dominance, effectively claiming crosses under pressure.[9] Her distribution skills shine in high-stakes moments, with excellent first touch and quick decision-making that integrates her seamlessly into team play.[9] Despite these attributes, Coll has shown vulnerabilities in occasional overzealous rushes out of goal, leading to positioning errors that ranked her highest among Liga F goalkeepers in such incidents during the 2024-25 season.[36] Her footwork has improved notably since 2023, following coaching adjustments after early career mistakes, reducing instances of deviation from her natural game.[26] Coll's influences stem from her early training in Barcelona's possession-based system, which honed her proactive approach, while her sweeper-keeper tendencies draw parallels to Manuel Neuer's innovative style.[9] Initially positioned as a center-back in youth setups, she evolved from a more reactive defender-oriented mindset to a fully proactive goalkeeper in professional football, embracing risks to define her elite-level identity.[9][26]Reception and awards
Cata Coll received significant recognition for her breakthrough performances during the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, where she emerged as Spain's starting goalkeeper in the knockout stages, contributing to their title win with key saves, including in the final against England.[37] Her composure and shot-stopping ability earned her a finalist spot for The Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper award that year, alongside Mackenzie Arnold and Mary Earps.[37] FIFA's goalkeeping expert Silke Rottenberg praised Coll's rapid rise, noting her impressive adaptation from backup to pivotal player, which thrilled observers and highlighted her potential as Spain's future number one.[38] In international rankings, Coll placed tenth in the IFFHS World's Best Woman Goalkeeper for 2023, reflecting her strong debut senior international campaign despite being behind established figures like Mary Earps.[39] Spanish media outlets lauded her as a key part of the youthful revolution driving Spain's World Cup success, emphasizing her command in the penalty area and leadership among emerging talents.[40] By 2025, Coll's consistent excellence at club and international levels led to further accolades, including a nomination for the Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d'Or ceremony, recognizing her as one of the world's top goalkeepers.[41] She was also shortlisted for The Best FIFA Women's Goalkeeper, announced in November 2025, underscoring her ongoing impact following Spain's Olympic campaign and Barcelona's domestic dominance.[42] Teammates, including captain Alexia Putellas, have highlighted Coll's growing leadership in high-pressure moments, such as penalty shootouts, where their pre-match rituals symbolized team unity and confidence in her abilities.[43] Despite these honors, Coll's individual awards remain relatively limited compared to her extensive club achievements, including multiple UEFA Women's Champions League titles, positioning her as an underrecognized talent in a goalkeeping landscape dominated by a few elite names.[3]Career statistics
Club
| Season | Club | League | Cup | Continental | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | Sevilla (loan) | 16 | 2 | 0 | 18 |
| 2019–20 | Barcelona | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2020–21 | Barcelona | 7 | 3 | 1 | 11 |
| 2021–22 | Barcelona | 8 | 0 | 1 | 9 |
| 2022–23 | Barcelona | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2023–24 | Barcelona | 15 | 1 | 7 | 23 |
| 2024–25 | Barcelona | 22 | 5 | 11 | 38 |
| 2025–26 | Barcelona | 8 | 0 | 2 | 10 |
| Total | 79 | 12 | 22 | 113 |