Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales is at the centre of an angry storm after kissing Spain forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips after Sunday’s Women’s World Cup win. Hermoso has since come out and admitted that she ‘didn’t like’ the uncomfortable embrace as Spain celebrated their 1-0 triumph over England.
The 33-year-old, Barcelona and Spain’s all-time top goalscorer, played a crucial role in her nation’s first-ever Women’s World Cup success.
Hermoso scored three goals and provided two assists on the path to Sunday’s victory against England at Stadium Australia.
She had an evening to forget against the Lionesses, having a second-half penalty to put the result out of the question saved by Mary Earps.
But Olga Carmona’s 29th-minute strike was enough to make Spanish history, breaking England hearts.
What unfolded after full-time had made unwelcome headlines, though, shrouding Jorge Vilda’s side’s incredible achievement.
As the Spain players took to the stage to collect their medals before lifting the World Cup trophy, multiple senior figures were lined up, including FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
Also present was Rubiales, the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), and he was understandably delighted.
Rubiales embraced all the Spain players and coaches with a wide grin on his face, hugging and shaking the nation’s heroes and heroines.
But he went a step further with Hermoso, grabbing her head and kissing her on the lips before she immediately walked away.
The moment shocked viewers and caused outrage, with Rubiales fielding heavy criticism for his actions when emotions were high in Sydney.
And Hermoso has fuelled the intense scrutiny by speaking out on the incident, suggesting she didn’t want to kiss the 45-year-old chief.
When asked about the exchange on Spanish TV, Hermoso replied: “Eh… yeah, I did not enjoy that.”
Hermoso has enjoyed a decorated career across her spells at Rayo Vallecano, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and PSG.
And she expressed her elation after adding an 18th trophy to her cabinet Down Under with an X-rated summary.
“It’s the best feeling of my life. We dedicate it to all our families and the people in Spain because we have played football the way we wanted to,” a teary-eyed Hermoso explained.
“We have won a World Cup — we are f*****g world champions! We have played the football as we wanted, but I still think we are not aware of what we have achieved.”
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