Meritxell "Txell" Font Oliveras (Catalan pronunciation: [(məɾi)ˈtʃeʎ ˈfon uliˈβeɾəs]; born 10 December 2004) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Primera Federación club FC Barcelona B. She helped lead Spain to victory at the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, where she was awarded the Golden Glove.
Font was one of the first nine girls to train at La Masia, Barcelona's youth academy.[1] She was the starting goalkeeper for FC Barcelona B as they won the Primera Federación in the 2022–23 season.[2] She was injured the following season after an ACL tear.[3]
At the age of 17, Font helped Spain's U19 team win the 2022 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship, allowing just two goals in four matches.[4]
Later in the year, Font made the Spain U20 roster for the 2022 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup as the second-choice goalkeeper to Adriana Nanclares following an injury to Elene Lete.[5] In the last game of the group stage against Australia, Nanclares had to be substituted due to injury and Font was called on to play the rest of the tournament.[5] She started all three knockout rounds, ending with a 3–1 victory over Japan in the final.[4] She was awarded the Golden Glove as the best goalkeeper in the tournament.[6]
The following year, Font led Spain U19 to defend their title at the 2023 UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship, allowing no goals over five matches.[4] In the semifinals against the Netherlands, she saved a penalty in the 87th minute to preserve the lead in a 1–0 victory.[2] She held Germany to a 0–0 draw in the final, winning on penalties after three missed kicks.[7] She was named in the team of the tournament.[8]
Font is the younger sister of Gemma Font, who plays as a goalkeeper for Barcelona's first team.[9]
