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.
The 35-year-old Hermoso was not called up for Euro 2025, despite featuring in all six of Spain’s qualifiers, but now she is preparing to play for her country again and 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”.
Spain face Sweden on Friday in a Women’s Nations League semi-final, and Barcelona defender Mapi Leon, who last played for her country in 2022, has also been brought back into the group.
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.”
‘I always knew I’d come back’
Although Rubiales said the kiss was “consensual” and initially resisted calls to step down from his RFEF post, he eventually did resign and was fined €10,800 (£8,942) after his conviction at Spain’s High Court this year.
Following the 2023 incident, Hermoso contributed to Spain’s Euro 2025 qualification campaign and played a key role in helping the team reach the bronze medal match at the Paris Olympics, where they were defeated by Germany.
However, after her appearance against Canada, Tome explained that she had not included the forward in subsequent squads because of her performances at club level in Mexico.
At 35 years old, Hermoso is the oldest member of the Spain squad.
“I never think about my age,” Hermoso said. “I mean, I don’t even think about the fact that I’m 35. For me, age is just a number.
“It’s about the body, it’s about the mind, what gives you the desire. And I’ve always seen myself coming back and I’ve worked every day for this.”
