“They are already here, and they have come to stay.” That is one of the phrases that remain from the second book that Silvia Barba (Madrid, 1976) has written. It’s like a continuation of the first, but fourteen years later. Telling the same thing, but in feminine. Because if in 2010 he published ‘The Red Inside’, a book of which he sold 15,000 copies, about the World Cup that the men’s team won in South Africa with Iniesta’s goal, now he publishes ‘When they touched the sky’ about the moment when The women’s team sewed the star to their chest, last summer, at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. A work that reviews everything that happened that month, match by match, in 220 pages with chronicles of the matches, elevens, a profile of each of the 23, interviews, photos and many inspiring phrases in bold and underlined. “Welcome to the party of the impossible because sometimes it comes true.” “It was an unforgettable year for everyone… and it has no brakes.” A year in which 23 women won the World Cup in seven games knocking down walls and breaking that ceiling that cost women’s sports so much. The one about football. It was the thickest. Until them. THEM, which Silvia Barba always writes in capital letters. A TVE journalist since 2005, she has always been linked to sports information, mirroring the success of the world champions and opening doors in her world, even if it was difficult. Previously at Telemadroño, Onda Madrid, Real Madrid TV, Diario Marca and Radio Marca, where he began covering information about Atlético de Madrid. Then came the jump to TVE and his presence in the triumphs of the Spanish men’s team in the 2008 and 2012 Euro Cups and the 2010 World Cup, in addition to the 2012 Olympic Games. He now closes the circle. With another star. And the unforgettable story of its 23 protagonists.
When did the idea for ‘When They Touched the Sky’ come about?
The same August 20, 2024, when the team was proclaimed world champion. At the same moment that Ivana Andrés was raising the glass, the editor, Adolfo García Ortega, called me. “Silvia, you wrote the book for men (‘La Roja por interior’), now, the one for women.”
That first book that his editor told him about was published in 2010, after the men’s team won its star…
Yes. And they had told me many times: “Silvia, come back.” But I didn’t see it clearly. Although here I didn’t hesitate. I wanted to pay the same tribute.
What will readers find in its pages?
Being in good hands helps. The publisher wanted me to tell the story, apart from all the noise that occurred after winning the World Cup. How to win the World Cup in seven games. The chronic. And, by the way, meet its protagonists. At twenty-three. It is not a book by anyone in particular. It belongs to everyone. From Enith Salón, the third goalkeeper, who did not play a minute, to Aitana, who later won the Ballon d’Or.
What story has touched you the most?
All the players are very good. Look, for example, Teresa Abelleira. She is a brutal aunt and at a soccer level she was key to winning the World Cup. They all name it and it can be difficult for you to locate it, locate each one. And with this book I want that to not happen. Let them all be known. And may they be given the place they deserve, forever, in the football scene.
“For me it has also been a challenge on a personal level. It has a lot of me, I see myself reflected. Now there are more women, but when I started there were very few of us who covered football information. And you have had to fight and become great. Like them. THEY”
Has writing this book been very different from the first?
If for me if. In 2010 I spent many hours with the National Team. They are friends. Torres, Puyol, Villa… This has been another exercise as a writer. Of discovering things as she wrote. To chat with them. Forms. Send us audios. She didn’t know them all with the intensity that she knew the men. I liked that a lot, as a real, pure writer. I think I have gained her respect and that excites me.
The book about the triumph of the men’s team was a bestseller…
More than 15,000 copies were sold. For me it has also been a challenge on a personal level. She has a lot of me, I see myself reflected. Now there are more women, but when I started there were very few of us who covered football information. And you have had to fight and become great. Like them. THEY.
I suppose Jenni Hermoso writing for you, who has covered Atleti information for more than 25 years, is more than special.
Look, you tell me his name and I get goosebumps. Jenni is Atleti, she is Lola Romero, she is women’s soccer in everything she does. Our first meeting was when she was in Barcelona, years ago, when we did an interview. After Alexia won the first Ballon d’Or I said: “I would love to interview Jenni.” And we got the interview. I found her to be a very interesting woman. That she speaks very well about soccer, that she takes great care of herself, that nutrition is very important to her. There, at that moment, I already put the focus on Jenni. She then went to Mexico although she almost returned to Atleti. She received me in Madrid. We made a thousand calls, with Rafa, with her representative, Óscar, and she told me: “I’m going to help you, I’m going to be in your book.” She has made me a psychologist. And there is one thing she told me, spoiler, that I will never forget: “The strength is in the head, Silvia.” I feel very close to Silvia. She from Carabanchel, I from Paseo de Extremadura. If we buy at Mercadona itself! And sit down and talk to her. After everything that’s happened. And listening to her with that strength, integrity, I can’t help it. Goosebumps.
“When talking about Jenni Hermoso I can’t help it: I get goosebumps”
Did you notice it was very different from the one you knew when you were in Barcelona?
Yes. I find a mature, reflective Jenni, who takes pauses. She helps me take breaks. That caught my attention a lot.
Published only six months after the success of Spain.
This really has been against the clock. The day Ivana was lifting the Cup the machinery was activated. I handed it in on January 15, without sleeping many nights, but so that I would be as close as possible in time to achieving the title.
This book talks about fighting and brave women, who fought against everything and have managed to leave their mark. Like you. Do you feel identified in part?
Well yes, partly yes. When I was little I played soccer, as a center back, and I went with my father, on dirt fields. I have those memories. My father, the sweets and the comics on Sundays, when I went to watch football. And, by inheritance, I have added it, football and communication.
