(Mariona Caldentey and Lia Wälti)
Mariona Caldentey paced nervously in the locker room of Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán in Seville, adjusting her Spain jersey for the third time in as many minutes. The Nations League match against Sweden was moments away, and her nerves were already frayed. But it wasn't the usual pre-match jitters. Today, her anxiety had nothing to do with tactics or opponents.
It had everything to do with Lia Wälti.
Mariona and Lia had been quietly dating for over a year. They were both professionals in their own right—Mariona a star for Spain and Barcelona, Lia the composed captain of Switzerland and a stalwart for Arsenal. Their paths had crossed countless times on the pitch, but it was a chance meeting at an off-season charity event that sparked something neither could ignore.
Their relationship had blossomed in secret, far from the prying eyes of the media and the judgment of the public. They both valued their privacy, wary of how the world might react to two high-profile players from rival countries falling in love. But hiding their relationship had its challenges, especially now.
Mariona knew Lia was flying in from London to watch her play. She wasn't supposed to know—it was meant to be a surprise—but Lia's subtle hints and the slip of a mutual friend had given it away. The thought of Lia in the stands, watching her under the floodlights of Seville, made Mariona's heart race. She wanted to impress her, to make her proud, but the pressure felt overwhelming.
Lia adjusted her scarf as she navigated the crowded streets around the stadium. She'd arrived in Seville earlier that morning, blending in easily among the throngs of fans dressed in red and yellow. Her plan was simple: buy a ticket under an alias, find a quiet spot in the stands, and cheer for Mariona without drawing attention.
But her emotions were anything but simple. Watching Mariona play was always a joy, but it was also a reminder of the distance they had to maintain. Their relationship had been a delicate dance of stolen weekends and midnight phone calls. Lia cherished every moment they had together, but she couldn't shake the longing for a day when they could be open about their love.
As she found her seat, tucked away near the back of the lower tier, Lia couldn't help but smile. The atmosphere was electric, the Spanish fans chanting and waving flags as the players took the field. When Mariona's name was announced, the roar of the crowd was deafening. Lia's chest swelled with pride.
On the pitch, Mariona felt the familiar rush of adrenaline as the game kicked off. Sweden was as formidable as ever, their disciplined defense and quick counterattacks keeping Spain on their toes. Mariona's touches were sharp, her movements precise, but her mind kept drifting to the stands.
Was Lia here yet? Could she see her?
At halftime, with the score locked at 1-1, Mariona scanned the crowd as subtly as she could. It was futile—there were thousands of faces, a sea of red and yellow—but just knowing Lia might be there gave her a boost.
In the second half, Mariona found her rhythm. She darted past defenders, her vision unlocking opportunities that others couldn't see. In the 75th minute, she capitalized on a loose ball just outside the box, sending a curling shot into the top corner of the net. The stadium erupted.
Mariona didn't celebrate the goal the way she usually did. Instead of her trademark fist pump or leap into her teammates' arms, she stood still for a moment, looking up into the stands. She didn't know where Lia was, but she hoped Lia knew the goal was for her.
Lia clapped and cheered with the rest of the crowd, her heart racing as Mariona's shot hit the back of the net. She wanted to shout Mariona's name, to tell everyone around her that the brilliant player on the pitch was hers. But she stayed composed, her smile hidden behind her scarf.
When the final whistle blew, securing Spain's 2-1 victory, Lia lingered in her seat as the crowd began to disperse. She didn't know if Mariona had any idea she was here, but she hoped they'd find a way to see each other.
Back in the locker room, Mariona's phone buzzed with a message.
"Room 418. I'm waiting. 💛"
She didn't need to ask who it was. After the post-match interviews and celebrations, Mariona slipped away, her heart pounding as she made her way to Lia's hotel. When she knocked on the door, it opened almost immediately.
Lia stood there, wearing a simple hoodie and jeans, her face lighting up when she saw Mariona. Without a word, Mariona stepped inside, and they embraced, holding each other tightly.
"You were incredible out there," Lia whispered, her voice filled with emotion. "That goal... it was magic."
Mariona pulled back just enough to look into Lia's eyes. "I knew you were here. I could feel it."
They spent the night talking, laughing, and savoring the rare chance to be together without barriers. For a few hours, they were just Mariona and Lia, two people in love, free from the weight of their secrets.
But as dawn approached, they both knew the world outside would pull them apart again. Their relationship would remain in the shadows for now, but they found comfort in the knowledge that their bond was stronger than distance or secrecy.
And when Mariona returned to Barcelona and Lia to London, they carried with them the promise of a future where they could celebrate not just victories, but each other—openly, boldly, and without fear.
