Pioneers of Spanish Women’s Football Reunite at Lili Alvarez Awards
On Thursday, April 16, 2026, several members of Spain’s first women’s national football team gathered in Madrid to receive homage at the eighth edition of the Lili Alvarez Sports Journalism Awards. The reunion, organized by the Superior Council of Sports (CSD) and the Institute of Women, honored the trailblazers who began playing organized football in Spain in 1970 and debuted internationally in 1971.
The honorees included Carmen Arce ‘Kubalita’, María Ángeles Pérez ‘Quilla’, Ana Seijo, Amparo Herrera, and Paquita Cruz. These women were part of the historic 14-player squad that played Spain’s first official women’s international match on February 21, 1971, at La Condomina stadium in Murcia against Portugal, which ended in a 3-3 draw.
Speaking at the event, Kubalita emphasized the importance of recognizing early pioneers: “It bothers me when today’s players say there were no references before. We were the references, but you have to know how to look back to spot where we come from.” She noted that after their era, there was a period of invisibility in women’s football that possibly ended with Spain’s victory in the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
The Lili Alvarez Award, established in 2017, recognizes journalistic work that promotes gender equality in sports and increases visibility for women’s athletics in Spain. The award is named after Elia María González-Álvarez y López-Chicheri, known as Lili Alvarez, a pioneering Spanish athlete who competed in tennis, skiing, horseback riding, and motorsports, and was the first Spanish woman to participate in the Olympic Games in 1924.
While not all original team members could attend due to the passage of time and some having passed away, the attendees shared memories through their WhatsApp group and recalled participating in events such as a match for veteran players in Cadiz against the United States. The reunion served as both a celebration of their legacy and a reminder of the foundation upon which today’s success in Spanish women’s football is built.
As Spanish women’s football continues to achieve global recognition, events like this reunion ensure that the contributions of the sport’s earliest advocates are not forgotten. The pioneers’ story remains a vital chapter in the ongoing journey toward equality and excellence in athletics.
Share your thoughts on the legacy of pioneers in women’s sports and join the conversation about honoring athletic trailblazers.
