A-Z with

Maite Oroz

Our A-Z feature will appear first & exclusively in this season’s official matchday programme and next up is Maite Oroz...

The Spain international joined us in the summer from Real Madrid and has made seven appearances for us in all competitions so far, with five of those coming in the Barclays Women's Super League.

We posed the midfielder with some quickfire questions to get to know her a little better, from her favourite memory in football so far to something we might not know about her...

Ability – Define your best attributes as a player?

“I like playing short passes and I would say I’m quite a technical player.”

Best friend– Who is your best friend in football?

“I have many friends from my time in football so far, but Damarias Egurrola from Lyon as I played with her at Athletico Bilbao and also my international team-mate Aitana Bontami.”

Cinema – What is the best film you have watched?

“It would have to be ‘The Impossible’ – a really good movie.”

Debut – When did you make your debut and where?

“I don’t remember my very first senior game but, for Athletico Bilbao, it was when I was 17 years old.”

Damarias Egurrola, who was named as one of Maite's best friends in football, representing the Netherlands.

All smiles from Maite Oroz in training.

Maite Oroz in training.

Eat – Who would you most like to invite around for a dinner?

“To be honest, I would just invite my family, friends and all the people that I love spending time with.”

Fanatic – What is your favourite memory in football?

“From my time playing in football, it was when I scored in the semi-final of the UEFA Champions League with Athletico Bilbao and when we also won the Spanish league title. Then, with the Spain national team, it was when we won the UEFA Nations League back in February, 2024.”

Grades – what was your favourite subject in school?

“Physical Education (PE) – probably no surprise it’s one of my favourites – and maybe music as well.”

Hobbies – what do you do when you are not playing football?

“Staying with my friends and family but also participating in tennis and padel.”

Inspire – who did you look up to when growing up?

“My family have always been a big inspiration for me, my parents and my brother especially.”

Job – what would you be doing if you weren’t a professional footballer?

“It would definitely be a PE teacher and cover all sports.”

Karaoke – What is your go-to karaoke song?

“It’s a Spanish song called ‘Colgando en Tus Manos’ by Carlos Baute.”

Love – What do you most love about playing football?

“Meeting a range of different players and staff members from all over the world.”

Maite celebrates scoring in Spain's UEFA Nations League win over Switzerland in September, 2023.

Maite in the number 10 shirt...

Meet – What one person would you most like to meet?

“If I had to choose just one person, I would probably go for Ronaldinho.”

Number – What is your lucky number?

“My lucky number has always been 10, just something that has been special to me.”

Overcome – How did you overcome personal setbacks in your career?

“My support network has been important during my recent injury, speaking to my dad, mum and brother, and the whole family to get advice.”

Position – What was your first position in football?

“I have always been a midfielder, I have never really tried a different position.”

Quality – Who is the best player you’ve played with?

“I have two - Aitana Bontami from playing with her throughout the international set-up with Spain, we started playing together at 15 years old and progressed to the senior side. I would then choose Caroline Weir, who I played with at Real Madrid.”

Rewind – Where would you go if you could go back in time?

“It would probably be living with my family as I lost a lot of time with them.”

Sport – If you weren’t playing football, what other sport would you do?

“Tennis as I played it in the summer with my uncle, brother and I just really enjoy it.”

TV – What series are you currently watching?

“I haven’t got a specific one I’m watching right now, but one of my favourite series is ‘Prison Break’- I have watched all of the seasons a long time ago and decided to rewatch it.”