Celia Jiménez

Celia Jiménez Delgado (born 20 June 1995), often known mononymously as Celia, is a former Spanish professional footballer who plays as a right back. She made her senior national team debut on September 17, 2014. Celia represented Spain in two FIFA Women's World Cups in 2015 and 2019, the youngest Spanish player to represent the country in a World Cup. Celia won the 2024 NWSL Shield and NWSL Championship with the Pride and was a nominee for the Lauren Holiday Impact Award, honoring her contributions to the community promoting STEM education for young students. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Alabama and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Washington State University and a cross over to Business from Harvard University.

Early life Born in Alcaudete, Andalusia, Celia grew up playing football at school during recess, leading her mother to encourage her to join hometown club ADV Alcaudete. At the age of 12, Celia was no longer allowed to play on boys' teams and left to join the girls' academy at Real Jaén. She debuted for the senior team of FCF Atlético Jiennense, Jaén's female affiliate, during the 2009–10 Superliga Femenina season, becoming the youngest Spanish first division player at the age of 14. Ahead of the 2010–11 Superliga Femenina season, Celia joined Sevilla but the team was relegated to the Segunda División at the end of the campaign before winning promotion back to the Primera División the following season. After three seasons, Celia left Sevilla.

College career Celia grew up fascinated by engineering and watched her older sister, Laura, pursue a career in aerospace engineering. Celia wanted to follow in her sister's footsteps but did not want to give up playing football so, despite fielding offers from clubs in Spain, decided moved to the United States on a scholarship to play collegiately while studying aerospace engineering. She spent two years at Iowa Western Community College, helping the Reivers to win the NJCAA National Championship title as a freshman while being named to the NJCAA 2013 All-Tournament Team and as the Most Valuable Forward in the tournament. She earned first-team All-American honours at the junior college level in both seasons.

In 2015, Celia transferred to the University of Alabama to join NCAA Division I program Alabama Crimson Tide. In her first season with the team, Celia made 19 appearances and was selected to the All-SEC second-team.

FC Rosengård On 13 August 2018, Celia joined Swedish Damallsvenskan club FC Rosengård for the remainder of the 2018 Damallsvenskan season. She made her debut five days later, starting in a 10–0 win over IFK Kalmar. She made a total of 14 appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal in a 3–0 win over Kristianstads DFF on 23 September.

Reign FC Ahead of the 2019 NWSL season, Celia returned to sign with Reign FC. In her first season with the team, Celia made 13 appearances including 10 starts and scored once, the only goal in a 1–0 win over derby rivals Portland Thorns FC. She made nine appearances and scored three goals. She ultimately didn't make an appearance for the team and was recalled from loan in February to prepare for Reign preseason. Despite not playing, Celia stated: "Being at OL pushed me to keep growing and developing as a player. I am very grateful for the opportunity both clubs gave to me." Ahead of the 2021 season, Celia also received a permanent resident green card meaning she no longer occupied an NWSL international roster spot.

Orlando Pride On 18 December 2021, Celia was traded during the 2022 NWSL Draft along with Leah Pruitt, the 10th overall pick, and a second-round pick in the 2023 NWSL Draft to Orlando Pride in exchange for Phoebe McClernon.

On 7 November 2024, Celia announced that she would retire from professional football at the conclusion of the 2024 NWSL season.

International career Youth Celia has represented Spain at multiple youth levels, captaining both the under-17 and under-19 teams. She was part of the team that won the 2011 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship, and also finished as runner-up at the 2014 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship. With only three caps for Spain, Celia was included in the squad for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, the youngest player in the squad. She was an unused substitute behind Marta Torrejón in all four games as Spain were eliminated on penalties by Austria in the quarter-finals.

In 2019, Celia was called up for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. She made one appearance, as an 86th-minute substitute in a goalless draw with China in the group. Spain were eliminated in the round of 16 by eventual winners United States.

2014

33!!29

2015

2016

2017

39!!7

72!!36

Club summary

Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals FC Rosengård 2018 Damallsvenskan

2019

2020

2021

24!!1!!8!!1!!1!!0!!0!!0!!33!!2 Perth Glory (loan) 2019–20 W-League

Lyon (loan) 2020–21 Division 1

2022

2023

2024 3 0

1 0 4 0

29!!2!!5!!0!!1!!0!!0!!0!!35!!2

71!!7!!14!!1!!2!!0!!4!!0!!91!!8

International summary

Honours Iowa Western Reivers NJCAA National Championship: 2013

Seattle Sounders Women's Premier Soccer League Championship: 2018 NWSL Championship: 2024

Spain U17 UEFA Women's Under-17 Championship: 2011

Spain Cyprus Women's Cup: 2018