Why did world champion Claudia Zornoza choose to play for the Utah Royals?

The news of Claudia Zornoza's transfer to the Utah Royals surprised many women's soccer fans. The Spanish world champion, who has played for Real Madrid for the last three seasons, has decided to cross the Atlantic and try her luck in the NWSL, one of the most competitive leagues in the world. But why did she make that choice?

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Claudia Zornoza is an experienced player, 33 years old and with a career full of achievements. Her decision to leave Real Madrid and embark on a new adventure in American soccer reveals a lot about her ambitions and career vision. Zornoza, a talented athlete, is looking for new challenges and opportunities to grow professionally and it's never too late for that.

Utah Royals FC, who recently announced her signing, offer Zornoza an environment conducive to continuing her career at a high level. The NWSL is known for its intensity and quality, providing the Spanish midfielder with a platform to test her skills against top-level players. In addition, the Royals are committed to building a competitive team, and Zornoza's arrival is a key part of that project.

Kelly Cousins, Royals sporting director, highlighted the importance of Zornoza's experience for the team: "Claudia is another experienced player we are adding to our midfield. Her ability on the ball will help us build our defense, and her veteran presence will be important for our locker room as we enter the second half of the season." These words show the confidence placed in the Spaniard and the expectation that she will become a leader both on and off the pitch.

Zornoza herself shared her motivations in a recent interview with Spanish newspaper AS: "My time at Real Madrid has been very good, the club gives everything to make the players very comfortable. I've always been a Real Madrid fan and in every training session or game I've given my all, but cycles come to an end and mine have come to an end. It was a mutual decision after a difficult season, it makes me very sad because I would have liked some things to have been handled differently, but that's soccer."

Zornoza's decision reflects a desire to explore new cultures and styles of play. She mentioned that the NWSL has always caught her attention and that she sees this move as a great challenge both sportingly and personally.

"I felt it was time to enjoy a different league to face new challenges and I had several offers from different countries, but the Utah Royals always showed great interest in me. It's a very ambitious proposal and a club that has been looking to grow since its creation to aspire to the highest level of the NWSL."

In addition to the sporting challenges, Zornoza is excited about the opportunity to enrich herself culturally. Changes like this are a test not only of her soccer skills, but also of her capacity for adaptation and resilience. Facing new environments and cultures can be extremely enriching and bring new vigor to any player's career.

The Utah Royals are not just any club. With a solid structure and ambitious planning, they are determined to improve their performance in the NWSL. The signing of Zornoza is a significant step in that direction, showing that they are willing to invest in world-class talent to achieve their goals.

At 33, Zornoza still has a lot to offer. His experience and skill will be crucial for the Utah Royals, who are currently facing challenges in the league, being outside the playoff zones. With Zornoza and other veteran and winning players like Amandine Henry, the team has a solid foundation to build on and improve their results.

Claudia Zornoza's choice of the Utah Royals is a combination of a search for new challenges, a desire for personal and professional growth, and the attraction of a club that shares her ambitions. The NWSL gains a high-caliber player, and Zornoza gains an exciting new page in her already illustrious career. It's a decision that promises mutual benefits.