Bruna: Brighton made me fall in love with football again

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Heather Miller

2025-04-06T06:00+01:00

Bruna Vilamala is on an season-long loan with Albion from Barcelona. 📷 by James Boardman.

Bruna Vilamala has reflected on her season-long loan with Albion as she edges closer to a return to action following injury.

“We've had a great season so far. There are still four games left, but I believe we can secure a good position in the league and achieve what we want.

“We’ve achieved what we have so far because of the group. We've played good football as well, but the girls are so nice and that helps a lot when you are struggling with the games.

“I didn't have a lot of minutes after my ACL injury at Barcelona, it can also very hard to play there and get back on the pitch and get minutes. At the end of the day, I just want to play football - Brighton gave me that opportunity to get more minutes.

Bruna scored in her last Albion appearance before injury. 📷 by Paul Hazlewood.

“I wanted to experience the WSL, get minutes, gain confidence, and enjoy football again. That was my focus and I've achieved that with this group of girls - I am so lucky in this team.

“I want to assist, score goals, and perform well, but I can't do that without enjoying football. My first focus coming to Brighton was to enjoy the game, and then the other things that came with it.”

The 22-year-old midfielder explained the differences between the WSL and Liga F, and what she was expecting from English football.

She added, “The league is so much more physically demanding. There is so much attacking and defending and it can be hard to control the game.

“In Spain, we always try to control the game and run as little as possible but, in England, I feel like it's more like an attack. You must defend well, be prepared and I feel you must make quick decisions because the game is fast.

The midfielder has made 15 appearances in all competitions for Albion, scoring three goals. 📷 by Kyle Hemsley.

“It's hard for me because I prefer to have the ball all the time and make the ball do the work. That's one of the other reasons I wanted to play in the WSL - to experience how I feel in another environment. I really enjoy that challenge.”

Bruna picked up an injury in Albion’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup match against Durham in January but is making positive strides to return to the pitch after the international break.

“It's never a good time for an injury and it was tough because it was a long one. It was hard because I'm far from my family and from my home. But the girls are so nice, it was so easy with them,

“It's going very well. I hope I can play as soon as possible, but right now I'm so happy with my rehab. I have to thank the girls for helping me because it was so much easier with them by my side.”