‘I admit I cried’ – Hermoso on Spain recall

After missing for a year, Jenni Hermoso, who was replaced by Sonia Bermudez, described the tearful moment she experienced.

Spain’s 57-goal record-holder last made an appearance for her country in October 2024 when she came off the bench for a 15-minute run-out against Canada.

After winning the 2023 World Cup final, Hermoso kissed on the lips without her consent, and she has since provided evidence in the trial that led to the sexual assault conviction of former RFEF president Luis Rubiales.

The 35-year-old Hermoso was not selected for Euro 2025 despite appearing in all six of Spain’s qualifiers. However, she is now gearing up to play for her country again and was “really excited” to be called back into the squad.

The striker, who plays for the Mexican club Tigres, told Radio Television Espanola, “I have to admit that I cried.”

“I’ve been working for a long time for this, and I’ve waited for it for a long time.”

The reward for all that hard work is to keep playing football at this level and enjoy playing with the national team.

Following Spain’s triumph in the World Cup final over England, Hermoso gained acclaim all over the world.

Hermoso claimed that the incident “stained one of the happiest days of my life” when Rubiales kissed her as she went to collect her winner’s medal in February 2025.

Spain travel to Sweden on Friday in a Women’s Nations League semifinal, and Barcelona’s Mapi Leon, who last represented her country in 2022, has also been reinstated.

Montse Tome’s contract with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) expired in August, and former Spain Under-23 coach Bermudez took over as head coach.

Hermoso says, “It’s been tireless, I haven’t stopped staying strong because I did have some pretty tough moments.”

Hermoso helped Spain win the bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics, where they were defeated by Germany, and contributed to the 2023 incident.

However, Tome explained after her game against Canada that she had not made the forward part of the squad because of her club-level Mexican performances.

Hermoso, who is 35 years old, is Spain’s oldest player.

Hermoso said, “I never consider my age.” I mean, I don’t even consider that I’m 35. Age is just a number, in my opinion.