Two Years After Brain Tumor, Atlético's Virginia Torrecilla Makes Emotional Return To The Pitch

FC Barcelona Femení captured its first piece of silverware this season with a 7-0 hammering of Atlético Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final. Caroline Graham Hansen got a hat-trick, Lieke Martens scored a brace and Fridolina Rolfö and Ingrid Syrstad Engen were also on the scoresheet, but more than any goal, the lasting image of the match will be Barça players hoisting Atléti midfielder Virginia Torrecilla into the air after the final whistle.

Torrecilla came on as a substitute in the 85th-minute, marking her first Atlético appearance in almost two years after undergoing surgery to remove a brain tumor.

Las jugadoras del Barça manteando a Virginia Torrecilla. Qué momento.

( @somosfutfem) pic.twitter.com/ipn1zJBndR

— Sphera Sports (@SpheraSports) January 23, 2022

La Supercopa no ha estat l’única victòria d’avui ❤️
@virginiiiaTr pic.twitter.com/fJf8CJIiWS

— FC Barcelona Femení (@FCBfemeni) January 23, 2022

Torrecilla, who played for Barça between 2012 and 2015, announced that she'd been diagnosed with a brain tumor back in May of 2020 — shortly after she'd represented Spain at the SheBelieves Cup in Texas. The 27-year-old underwent successful brain surgery and a course of chemotherapy treatment before returning to training in March of 2021.

"I'm very happy to be here and to share everything," Torrecilla said. "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."