Spain stronger after battles on & off pitch – Codina

Laia Codina, the world champions’ defender, claims that their battles on and off the pitch over the years have made them stronger.

The controversy and subsequent repercussions brought on by former national football federation boss Luis Rubiales kissing Spain’s Jenni Hermoso without her consent were the most notable.

In a case where Codina testified in favor of Hermoso, Rubiales was found guilty of sexual assault last week.

“As a group, for sure, I can feel it – we are all so much stronger. We, all of us, have suffered a lot off the pitch”, Codina told BBC Sport.

“A good example is against Belgium]last week when they came from 2-0 down to win 3-2]. Two years ago, I think we would have lost that game”.

After Spain defeated England to win the 2023 Women’s World Cup, Rubiales grabbed Hermoso by the head and kissed her on the lips as the Spanish players won their medals.

After the team was boycotted, a group of 81 players intervened and Codina, 25, testified at the trial’s hearing in Madrid in February to back Hermoso’s claim that he felt overwhelmed.

She returned to London the same day and was an unused substitute in Arsenal’s Women’s League Cup semi-final defeat by Manchester City on 6 February.

“It was a challenging week for me to travel to Madrid as a witness.” It was tough for me obviously personally”, added Codina.

“Many of my Arsenal team-mates saw the intensity of the emotions. I was up and down. Everything was feeling once more.

“But I feel good now that the week has ended.” I feel I did what I had to do in that moment and I’m always supporting Jenni]Hermoso] and my team-mates and the women.

Codina says she hopes that people will talk about Spanish football players’ accomplishments now that the case has been settled.

Spain won the Women’s Nations League the following year, and they are currently preparing for Euro 2025. They became world champions in 2023.

She said, “I just hope everything now goes well and we finally talk about football.”

“We speak about this team that has been World Cup winners, Nations League winners. Because we are here, we want to talk about football.

It’s our job, and playing women’s football is one that will benefit both us and everyone involved. I hope so for society as well as Spain overall.

They must perceive us as women’s football players, and they must feel proud of us. Just this”.

Spain – who face England at Wembley on Wednesday (20: 00 GMT) – came from 2-0 down to beat Belgium 3-2 in their Women’s Nations League opener on Friday.

Throughout the Rubiales trial, England’s opponents on Wednesday have remained positive about the Spanish players.

Last Thursday, England defender Lucy Bronze described them as “incredibly brave” for speaking out.

“I saw some words from Lucy Bronze and]England manager] Sarina Wiegman. I’ve heard them and it’s really nice to be honest. I really want to thank them”, said Codina, who is one of the first Spanish players to speak publicly after the verdict, following captain Irene Paredes, who discussed it last week.

“Feeling that super]kindness] from them, from a big national team like them… England in general, how they work for women’s football, is something that we have to look for.