What we have done has not been in vain – Bonmati

Aitana Bonmati, the winner of the Ballon d’Or, claims that Spain’s players “battled hard” during the Luis Rubiales case and that it “has not been in vain.”

Rubiales, the former head of the Spanish football team, admitted to sexual assault last week after kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent during the 2023 World Cup medal ceremony.

After the federation fired manager Jorge Vilda as a result of the incident, players in court offered their support for Hermoso.

Bonmati expressed her hope that speaking out about the events that occurred before Spain’s Women’s Nations League game against England at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday will help to bring about social change in the game and society as a whole.

“I hope that this case makes changes in our country, in our football, to respect us better as footballers. But it’s also a global case”, the Barcelona forward said.

“I don’t want to only speak about footballers. In other professions, in my opinion. Hope those going through these things are helped by this case.

I think this incident occurred for a reason, making us more regarded as women. Although it has been challenging, it has improved our standing.

“We didn’t only win on the pitch but also off the pitch. We are continuously fighting for our rights and women’s rights. We are aware of our own suffering, which makes us stronger.

For allegedly trying to persuade Hermoso to declare publicly that the kiss was consensual, Rubiales was cleared of coercion.

“The trial has a purpose, but I was surprised there was no sentence that involved coercion.” We are all happy”, added Bonmati.

“We have been supporting our teammates and playing well on the pitch.” We have fought hard, and we are aware that our efforts have not been in vain.

Montse Tome, the current manager of Spain, prefers to concentrate on footballing issues rather than answering direct inquiries about the case.

When we are together on training camps and international duty, we are going to talk about football, Tome said.

“Now that the case is coming to an end, we have sided with the player,” I thank the interviewer for his football questions.

England, the hosts on Wednesday, have shown their support for the Spanish players, including defender Lucy Bronze and manager Sarina Wiegman.

Asked about Spain’s ability to perform on the pitch throughout the process, Wiegman said on Tuesday the players had shown” remarkable courage”.

It states that the Spain team is “a very good team.” It also says they show resilience and they’re so brave, “she added.

We’re having discussions about it again today, and I think we need to do it, sadly.

We must continue to show the world how much we are with them. Hopefully it will make a change”.

Alessia Russo, an England international, said she has seen what their relationship has turned out to be when the Spain duo Laia Codina and Mariona Caldentey are at Arsenal.

Russo praised the players’ bravery and continued ability to perform at their best, both publicly and publicly.

“I have two coworkers who have gone through it, and they have performed with such class.” We support them in every way and stand with them.