Jenny Hermoso spoke publicly for the first time since the scandalous Rubiales case. The player spoke at the inauguration ceremony of 18 new members of the Football Hall of Fame in Pachuca, Mexico, hours after her statement was released to the Spanish Football Ministry. Among names such as Carlo Ancelotti, Francesco Totti and Xavi Hernandez, the Spanish footballer was honored at the event, indirectly referring to Rubiales’ controversial kiss during the medal ceremony at the Women’s World Cup final.
“I wrote something that I want to share with you: on the night of August 20, 2023, when I lifted this cup with my teammates, I felt my father’s hands as he led me to practice, my mother’s smile as she looked at me . the game and the joy of my whole family from the fact that we share the dream of a little football player who wanted to become a world champion,” he began with the words he quotes La Razon.
In an emotional speech, Jenny Hermoso spoke about the importance of the World Cup title and how this achievement will impact women’s football around the world.
“We weren’t champions to win a trophy that would stay in store windows, to get a compensation bonus, or to appear on thousands of front pages that get damaged over time, we were world champions because that was the only way to become heard, respected and appreciated,” the player said, adding that she believes her team has “changed the way women’s football is viewed for many people”, stressing that she is confident that thousands of girls around the world identify with a group of players who are “brave, purposeful and honest.”
“A lot has happened since then, perhaps we have sacrificed some joys, some holidays, we have suffered too much at a historical moment for us, but I am sure that we have a huge responsibility before new generations. And to all the people who don’t have a loudspeaker to make their voices heard, I want to say that this fight belongs to all of us, we win on and off the field to ensure inclusive sport and a society that protects us all. And to everyone I want To say that it’s all over, I’m Jenny Hermoso, I’m a football player and I’m the girl who managed to become a world champion, thank you very much,” concluded the footballer, leaving the stage.