If there is something that best represents the Canary Islands, it is papas arrugadas (Canarian wrinkled potatoes). Therefore, the Papitas Arrugás Fútbol Club, a women's team based in Madrid, chose this name when it was founded in 2023.
The team, which is currently in the second division, trains in the Parque Lineal de Manzanares, in Madrid, but all its members are Canarian. The formation is made up of footballers from Lanzarote, Tenerife, La Gomera and Gran Canaria, aged between 25 and 46 years old.
Although it is not mandatory for the Papitas Arrugás Fútbol Club to be made up exclusively of Canarian girls, the intention of the athletes is to try to make it as Canarian as possible.
Lucía Morales from Lanzarote, one of its presidents and player, comments that "people have good opinions regarding the team" and that, even as a result of the publications on social networks, "there are more girls wanting to join the team and there is a very good atmosphere in the League".
And the Liga Fulanita de Tal in which the Canarians play competes with 56 teams and has names as fun as La Bichotas FC, Beer Tuosas or Drink Team.
"This team was born with the aim of playing what we all like, football, which although it is not a professional competition, what we are looking for is to have a good time on weekends, to build a team and win", declares Morales.
Regarding its financing, the team uses its own resources although this year it has had the support of Casa de Canarias. "They have helped us with the equipment and with balls that we already had from last year from other collaborators," she explains.
Last year, the islanders finished in second position in the UEFA. However, the dream of all is to climb. "The goal we have right now is to win the League and, as they then do a Champions phase, also win it to move up to first B next year", concludes the player.
