Beyond some statements, Jenni Hermoso finally broke her silence for the first time since the situation she experienced with Luis Rubiales, former president of the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), after the World Cup final in Sydney. She did so taking advantage of the tribute that the soccer player received this morning at the Hall of Fame ceremony in Pachuca, in Mexico, giving a very emotional speech.
Without directly mentioning the controversial incident with Rubiales, the Pachuca Femenil star highlighted the Spanish team's desire to vindicate itself during the World Cup and the situation that the group of players experienced.
"On the night of August 20, 2023, when I raised the glass, I made the dream of that girl that I once was come true. I could feel my father's hands and my mother's smile," Hermoso recalled at the beginning of the speech. "We became one of the best teams in history; but deep down, we achieved something much more human, more transcendental, [...] we were world champions because it was the only way we had left to be heard, respected and valued. My National Team changed the way many people see women's soccer," claimed the Madrid native, alluding to the effort to improve that was involved in being able to lift that World Cup.
Regarding the kiss incident and the subsequent commotion, Jenni dropped some details: "A lot of things have happened since then, perhaps we sacrificed some joys, some celebrations, and, without deserving it, we suffered more than necessary in a historic moment for us." "It's over! I'm Jenni Hermoso, I'm a soccer player and I'm that girl who managed to be a World Champion," she concluded with determination.
Another 18 new members were also honored at the gala, entering the select club of players and coaches of the International Soccer Hall of Fame. At the international level, figures of the stature of Xavi Hernández, Carlo Ancelotti, Carles Puyol, Francesco Totti, Samuel Eto'o, Kaká and Rivaldo were selected as new members
In women's soccer, the Brazilian Pretinha and the Mexican Andrea Rodebaugh also obtained that recognition. In the local category, in Mexican soccer, Rafa Márquez, current coach of Barça B; the also former soccer players Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Óscar El Conejo Pérez, Fernando Quirarte, Ricardo La Volpe, and the businessman Emilio Azcárraga Milmo. And finally, as deans, they include the German Uwe Seeler, the Brazilian José Alves Zaguey and the Mexican Isidoro Chololo Díaz.
