FC Barcelona Femení's Ewa Pajor reflects on her long pursuit of European glory: “This is the best day of my life”

Ewa Pajor has spent her entire football career chasing a night like the one she experienced in the UEFA Women’s Champions League final in Oslo. Saturday (23 May) was her sixth final and – having lost the previous five she had contested – was another chance to rid herself of the ‘jinx’ that had followed her from Germany to Spain.

Ten years ago, a 19-year-old Pajor watched on from the bench as Wolfsburg were pipped to the title by OL Lyonnes in a final that went the distance, decided on penalties. Two years later, she played every minute against the same opposition, only to suffer defeat in extra time.

In 2023, she scored three minutes into what looked like a surefire victory, with the German giants leading FC Barcelona 2-0 at the interval. A remarkable second-half turnaround changed the game, with the Spaniards winning 3-2. The result left the Polish striker heartbroken once more.

Her fortunes seemed to tilt with a switch to the Catalan club, joining a side chasing a ‘three-peat’ on Europe's biggest stage. Yet, even going into the final against Arsenal as favourites in 2025, the prolific striker had to watch on as the North London side narrowly defeated the defending champions 1-0 to win their first European title in 18 years.

Pajor spent a decade being close enough to touch the trophy but never to lift it, until she went from a player with a history of being on the losing side in finals to someone who decided one. Up against familiar foes Lyonnes in the 25/26 final, her second-half brace proved the difference as Barça stormed to a 4-0 victory, clinching their fourth Champions League title.

“I don’t have the words for this moment because I am just grateful for this,” she told UEFA after becoming a first-time champion. “For being a Barça player, to play with this great team and be with them every day.

“We did a great job on the pitch. We fought for everything, for the win, and now we are the best team in the world. It’s a great moment for me, for the team. It’s amazing.”

UWCL 2025/26 final: Pajor, Paralluelo score twice to down OL Lyonnes and complete FC Barcelona’s quadruple charge

Ewa Pajor: “I always had the dream of winning the Champions League and we did it"

The narrative surrounding Pajor was clear before the final in Norway; everyone was aware of her past misfortunes, particularly against Lyonnes. At full-time, there were few people happier for her than her teammates and manager.

Goalkeeping hero Cata Coll, who pulled off some huge stops in the final, expressed her belief that Pajor is one of the most deserving victors in the competition, having patiently waited her turn. Head coach Pere Romeu also singled her out in his post-match press conference.

“I’m particularly happy and proud of Pajor,” he told the media. “She is a key player for us. She embodies hard work, team play, and always putting the team before herself.

“I’m sure that if she could give away goals rather than score them, she would. She is fundamental to our football.”

Individually, it was a stellar campaign for the goal-scoring machine, who found the net 11 times during the competition. No player in Europe scored more.

Yet for all the numbers, Pajor – just as Romeu alluded to – has been insistent that this season has never been about personal milestones. The goal was always to win this competition, to work hard in and out of possession and achieve moments like the one Saturday delivered.

“This is a very special moment… it’s very special, and I have a lot of emotions,” she said. “On the pitch, I was crying, I was laughing, I was doing everything with this team, with my family, with the fans.

“What we did this season is amazing. Four titles – we won everything. We won everything with this club for our fans, because they support us every day. It’s the best season for us and for me also, because finally, after losing five titles [I have won one]. It was not easy, but I never gave up.

“I always had the dream of winning the Champions League and we did it. This is the best day of my life, of my career, so far.”

The ‘jinx’ narrative that has followed her around is a thing of the past. She will be known from now on as Ewa Pajor: Champions League winner.

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