Jenni Hermoso, a midfielder for Spain, defended Luis Rubiales after he faced criticism for kissing her on the lips after the team’s Women’s World Cup triumph on Sunday. Rubiales received criticism on social media for his celebration with Hermoso at the medal ceremony after Spain defeated England 1-0 to win the trophy for the first time. Scroll down to read Midfielder Jenni Hermoso Opens Up On Kiss Controversy.
Midfielder Jenni Hermoso Opens Up On Kiss Controversy
Luis Rubiales, president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), has come under fire for surprising Jennifer Hermoso, a 33-year-old midfielder, with a kiss on the lips after she got her gold medal for Spain’s triumph over England in the Women’s World Cup final on Sunday. Following the championship game, Rubiales appeared on stage with other dignitaries for FIFA’s awards presentation, including Gianni Infantino, the head of soccer’s global governing organization, Queen Letizia of Spain, and Anthony Albanese, the prime minister of Australia.
In the video, Hermoso is hugged by Rubiales, who then kisses her while placing both hands on her head. He then gives her a pat on the back as she leaves.
Hermoso appears to be responding to inquiries about the event in an Instagram live video, a portion of which was published by Spanish writer Irati Vida on X. Hermoso says, “Hey, I didn’t like it, eh,” in the live video.
Later in the Instagram live video, which was recorded in a Spanish locker room, another lady asks Hermoso, “But what were you doing, sis?”. “But what am I supposed to do?” the 33-year-old responds.
Hermoso later said that the action was a “natural display of affection”. The enormous delight that winning a World Cup gives, according to Hermoso, “made it a spontaneous mutual gesture,” the Spanish federation told AFP.
“The president and I have a terrific connection; he has been excellent in his interactions with all of us, and it was a natural expression of love and thanks,” she continued.
“An act of friendship and gratitude cannot be overstated; we have just won the World Cup and we won’t stray from what is important,” the team said.
The scandal surrounding the federation and coach Jorge Vilda’s interactions with the players marred Spain’s World Cup campaign. Before the competition, a group of 15 prominent players protested the national team, but many of them changed their minds, and three players were added to the team.
Vilda had Rubiales’ full support, and the RFEF received flak for taking a hard line against the 15 players who were protesting. Despite Hermoso, a Pachuca player from Mexico, missing a penalty in the game, Spain prevailed thanks to an early goal from Olga Carmona.
After the match, an emotional Hermoso broke down in tears and told Spanish broadcaster La 1 that “we played how we wanted to play and we won a World Cup.”
