Paula Ortíz’s revenge with Las Leonas

Copiar enlace

Sport gives revenge. Life gives revenge. Something like that is what he felt Paula Ortiz after being part of Las Leonas again for 2025. In the past was the painful decision of having to stay in Europe during 2023 and 2024 and not be part of the National Team’s Olympic process. “I feel very happy. I really wanted to train with the team again. I missed the girls a lot and I’m really having a great time, it’s a really nice group with a lot of potential and a great desire to continue growing.”he told AM850 Hockey.

The champion with Las Leoncitas in 2016 made her debut in the Major on June 1, 2015 in a Test Match against Italy, about 10 years ago. Then along the way he played the 2015 Pan American Games, was part of the squad for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, the 2017 World League, the 2018 World Cup and the 2018 Champions Trophy. In his prime moment he had to take one of the most difficult decisions of his life: staying in Argentina and, consequently, in Las Leonas to be part of the process for Paris 2024 or going to the Old Continent to play Spain to finish getting your citizenship.

“It was a very hard moment for me. I had been out of the system for three years and Fer (Ferrara) called me back. I experienced a distressing moment when I had to decide whether to stay or return to Spain for the papers. Knowing how important it is today to have European citizenship and thinking a little about my future, I decided more with my reason than with my heart.”he recalled the one that emerged at the San Martín Club. However, the effort and pain of leaving much of his dream behind paid off. “My talk with him (Ferrara) was very positive. I knew that he had good feelings about how I trained before the Paris process, so when there was the possibility of calling me up again, it was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up because it is something that I always wanted.”he added.

In the middle, Pali He began to gain notoriety and importance in Spain, especially in his club, Real Polo de Barcelona. “I knew that returning to Argentina was a radical change for me. “I left my life in Barcelona since I had been living there for many years, where I had my apartment, work and my friends, although I was willing to return to the National Team, which was what I wanted most.”he explained. And it also confirmed what could have been a reality for several players who play abroad: representing another country. However, that idea did not cross Ortíz’s mind. “When I got my citizenship there was the possibility of playing for Spain. The truth is that it is a great team, that is working hard and has a great future. Personally I have a pending account with Argentina and I would love to be able to be there again”he confirmed.

Months away from turning 28, with another maturity and experience, Paula was reunited with her lifelong companions and with the renewed squad that Argentina will have by 2025. “I believe that beyond contributing my game, I would like to convey that attitude is very important both on and off the court. “We are in a privileged place, wearing the Argentina shirt, which is the dream of many players and we have to be an example in every way.”he emphasized.

The good news for Pali It is also great news for Las Leonas. “My desire is to continue growing as a player. Improve day by day and be able to go as far as possible with the National Team. It’s something I’ve always wanted and I hope it comes true.”he concluded.

Las Leonas will have their official 2025 debut with the Pro League in Santiago del Estero in February. Ortíz and her teammates are in the middle of preseason waiting to find out who will be the ones who will travel to the province of Santiago for the second series of the championship that began in December 2024 and will end in the middle of this year.