It was unclear for a long time whether Jennifer Hermoso would ever play in the Spanish national team jersey again. She reacted emotionally to the nomination.
Spanish soccer player Jennifer Hermoso appeared moved by her return to the national team. “I have to admit, I cried,” said the 35-year-old on Radio Televisión Española .
The record scorer of the Furia Roja (57 goals in 123 games) was nominated by national coach Sonia Bermúdez for the Nations League semifinal matches against Sweden on October 24 and 28 after a year of absence.
“I have waited a long time for this moment and worked towards it. Being able to play at this level with the team again now is the deserved reward,” Hermoso rejoiced.
Bermúdez’s predecessor Montse Tomé, who was dismissed by the Spanish association after the lost European Championship final in August, had no longer considered Hermoso. The striker’s last match was a brief appearance against Canada in October 2024.
Hermoso became involuntarily known to the global public during the kiss scandal at the 2023 World Cup. During the award ceremony, the then Spanish association president Luis Rubiales grabbed Hermoso by the head and kissed her on the mouth. This was later classified as “sexual assault” and Rubiales was sentenced to, among other things, a fine of 10,800 euros.