Clara Pinedo, the Bilbao-born player aiming for her Spain debut
The Athletic Club midfielder was the big surprise in the Spain squad list for the international break. She was one of the two players left out against England, but she hopes to make her debut for La Roja against Ukraine. A law student, the Bilbao native is a vital presence in the Basque side's midfield.
16 APR 2026
“Renewing with Athletic Club was my only option. Wearing this shirt is something unique and special that I've dreamed of since I was little,” were the words of Clara Pinedo after extending her contract with the club of her life until 2030. The youth product of the Basque team, who balances playing football with studying Law, arrived at Lezama from Bizkerre FT in the 2019/2020 season. She debuted with the first team in June 2021 and has already played 119 matches across six seasons, scoring 21 goals, establishing herself as one of the best players in her team, and in the competition. This season she missed the first seven matchdays due to injury, during which the Rojiblancas failed to win, but she has already accumulated 1,313 minutes between Liga F Moeve and Copa de la Reina, scoring 1 goal and providing 2 assists.
Although she is only 22 years old, the midfielder stands out for her maturity on the pitch and her ability to lead her team's attack. These are characteristics that began to attract the attention of the Spanish national team's youth categories, as she was crowned U19 European Champion in 2022 and U20 World Champion in 2022, alongside her teammates Ane Elexpuru and Maite Zubieta. This season she has also been part of the U23 squad, until, during this international break, Sonia Bermúdez called her up to the senior squad. “She is a player we know perfectly from the youth categories, and she is one of the footballers who pleasantly surprised us the first time she was with us in the youth ranks,” highlighted the national team coach, who has high hopes for the Bilbao-born player.
A coach from Vallecas who praised the great qualities of the Basque midfielder. “She has a different profile to what we have. She is a player who understands the game, who creates a lot of space for her teammates, attacks the intervals, is always committed defensively, and is a footballer we believe can contribute a lot in that position. We are delighted to have her on the list,” added the national team coach about Clara Pinedo, who, along with Adriana Nanclares, are the only two representatives from Athletic Club in the squad. In the defeat against England (1-0), she was, along with Aiara Agirrezabala, one of the two players ruled out to sit on the bench, but this Saturday, April 18th, at 16:00h, she could have her big opportunity to fulfil her dream and debut with La Roja in the match against Ukraine.