VIRGINIA TORRECILLA made an emotional return for Atletico Madrid Women after two years out battling a brain tumour.
The midfielder, 27, needed surgery in 2020 but has now completed an heroic comeback.
Torrecilla, who needed chemotherapy after the op, was able to return to training in March 2021 – a year after her last competitive match playing for Spain against England in the SheBelieves Cup,
On Wednesday she got a taste of matchday action after being named on the bench for Atletico's 3-2 win in the semi-final of the Spanish Supercup.
And Torrecilla followed that up in the final against Barcelona on Sunday, receiving the captain's armband after coming on as a substitute in the 85th minute.
Despite the 7-0 defeat it was a match to remember for Torrecilla, who shared her thanks to the club ahead of the game.
She said in a video posted on the club's Twitter account: "I'm very happy to be here with [my teammates] and to share everything.
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"This is a very important step… A lot of time has passed. It has been about effort, a lot of sacrifice and a lot of training.
"I have to thank the club, they've always been with me. This is my reward. Being here in the dressing room and on the pitch, it's very special."
After the match she was warmly embraced by her team-mates and by the Barcelona squad, some of who played with Torrecilla during her three-year spell at Barca.
Members of the Barcelona team proceeded to lift up Torrecilla and throw her into the air several times.
Barcelona star Irene Paredes then gave a tearful Torrecilla a huge hug.
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