Jenni Hermoso: Striker cried about Spain recall as she moves on from Luis Rubiales case

Jenni Hermoso has described the tearful moment she was recalled to the Spain squad by new manager Sonia Bermudez following a year-long absence.

Spain’s all-time leading scorer with 57 goals last appeared for her country in October 2024, coming off the bench for a 15-minute run-out against Canada.

Since then, she has given evidence in the trial that resulted in the sexual assault conviction of former Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president Luis Rubiales, who kissed Hermoso on the lips without her consent after Spain’s win in the 2023 World Cup final.

Hermoso was not called up for Euro 2025, despite featuring in all six of Spain’s qualifiers, but appeared as a late substitute during their 4-0 win over Sweden in the first leg of the Women’s Nations League semi-final on Friday.

The 35-year-old replaced Mariona Caldentey in the 88th minute at Malaga’s Estadio la Rosaleda.

In the build-up to the match she had said she was “really excited” to be invited back into the squad.

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

“It was a moment that I have waited a long time for and I’ve been working for a long time for.

“To continue at this level and to be able to enjoy football with the national team is the reward for all that work.”

Hermoso became a focus of worldwide attention following Spain’s World Cup final victory over England.

Rubiales kissed her as she went to collect her winner’s medal, with Hermoso telling the former RFEF president’s trial in February 2025 that the incident “stained one of the happiest days of my life”.

Barcelona defender Mapi Leon, who last featured for her country in 2022, played the full 90 minutes against Sweden.

The second leg between Sweden and Spain will be played in Gothenburg on 28 October.

Former Spain Under-23 coach Bermudez succeeded Montse Tome in the top job when Tome’s contract with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) was not renewed in August.

Hermoso is eyeing a fresh start, saying: “For me it’s been tireless, I haven’t stopped staying strong because I did have some pretty tough moments.

“Maybe at some point in my life, it would have been difficult for me to come back and I feel very proud of myself.”

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