Las Leonas is in Valencia, where next Saturday and Sunday they will play their first two games in the ProLeague against the Spanish teama tournament that will serve as preparation for the World Cup, which will take place from July 1 to 17 in Spain and the Netherlands.

In that very city they will also meet China on Tuesday the 17th and Wednesday the 18th. Then, they will have two battles Germany in Berlin (21 and 22) and two others against Holland in Nijmegen (28 and 29).

Before exiting the pitch, even though they had never boarded a plane to Europe, there was one news that shook the world of hockey: the coach Fernando Ferrara left Delfina Merino on the listone of four captains selected in his process and a national team icon.

The striker has amassed 306 against the Argentine shirt, was voted as the best player in the world in 2017, won the 2010 World Cup, five Champions Trophy and two Olympic medals, among other important recognitions. For this reason, DT’s decision generated a real impact. The player expressed his disagreement on social networks.

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Delfina Merino’s letter

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“Ever since I was a kid I’ve dreamed of playing for Las Leonas, and I’m grateful for life because I’ve fulfilled that dream. Every time I wear our country shirt I’m happy and always trying to give my best, because including I am overwhelmed by this group of pride.

A week ago the coach told me the news that no player wants to be accepted: ´We will not consider you for the World Cup for sporting reasons´. Since then they have been difficult days for me. Days of much meditation. I was angry and sad, but at the same time I was calm with myself.

Every coach chooses his players and I don’t assume that because of my years of selection they have nothing to give me, I think I deserve the opportunity to fight until the very end for a place on the team . With only two months left before the World Cup, I feel like this is a huge window of time where the coach’s views can change and if there are doubts about my performance, I would have appreciated the possibility of getting a place in these 8 upcoming games with European teams in the Pro League. I am so sorry I didn’t even have that chance.

It hurts me and I don’t understand that being one of the captains, and having constant communication with the coaching staff, none of them warn me that they are not satisfied with my athletic performance. No one gave me an indication about it, if they told me where the fault was in my game, I gave everything inside me to fix it and thus wear our colors. Until now I don’t know what caused this dissatisfaction with the sport.

Yes, I am convinced that the ways and forms in which decisions of such magnitude are communicated must be immediately changed. Personally, I don’t qualify after the gym and am ready to start the hockey block, being removed from the court wearing shin guards, mouth guard in hand and giving me such news. It hurts me to leave Cenard like that.

We are Lionesses defending the shirt of our country with a lot of dedication, effort and dedication. But before that, we are human beings and when dealing with decisions that change our lifestyle from one second to another, forms, respect, healthy communication and honesty must be present and never lost.

I’ve tried all this time to act on the values ​​I’ve learned from the moments living with this group, shared current and past trash, and take care of the different mysteries that feel when wearing of shirt with Leona. the chest.

I gave my heart to the Argentine National Team, and I will do it again without hesitation.

I will be forever grateful for everyone’s support, from Argentina always “.

Dolphin Merino.