Virginia Torrecilla: Atletico Madrid midfielder returns after brain tumour

Atletico Madrid midfielder Virginia Torrecilla was thrown into the air by Barcelona players as they celebrated her return from a brain tumour.

It followed Barca's 7-0 win in the Spanish Super Cup final — the Spain international's first match since successful surgery in May 2020.external-link

Torrecilla, 27, played for Barca from 2012-2015 and came on in the 86th minute to a standing ovation.

Her Atletico team-mates also threw her into the air after the game.

Torrecilla, who was given the captain's armband when she came on, last played in a 1-0 win for Spain over England in the SheBelieves Cup in March 2020.

«We have no words to describe this moment,» Atletico tweeted.

Norwegian Caroline Graham Hansen scored a hat-trick and Netherlands midfielder Lieke Martens netted twice as Barca won the cup for a second time.