Jenni Hermoso recalled by new Spain women’s coach for Nations League semifinals

Spain’s Jennifer Hermoso celebrates with the trophy after winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 against England at Stadium Australia, Sydney, on Aug. 20, 2023. (Reuters/File)

• The forward for Mexican club Tigres has not played for Spain in a year
• New Spain coach Sonia Bermúdez recalled the 35-year-old Hermoso to her squad on Friday

MADRID: Spain’s all-time top scorer Jenni Hermoso will return to the national team after being included in the first squad named by their new coach.
Hermoso made global headlines when she denounced being kissed against her wishes by the former president of Spain’s soccer federation during the awards ceremony of the 2023 Women’s World Cup final in Sydney, Australia.
The forward for Mexican club Tigres has not played for Spain in a year and was dropped from the team ahead of the 2024 European Championship, when the world champions finished runners-up.
New Spain coach Sonia Bermúdez recalled the 35-year-old Hermoso to her squad on Friday. Bermúdez replaced former coach Montse Tomé, whose contract was not renewed by the federation after the Euros in August.
The kiss by former boss Luis Rubiales led to calls for a national reckoning over sexism in sport and to his conviction for sexual assault in February.
Bermúdez also recalled Barcelona central defender Mapi León, who has not played for Spain since she was part of a player revolt against then former coach Jorge Vilda in September 2022.
Vilda kept his job through the 2023 Women’s World Cup but was fired shortly afterward when he backed Rubiales. Tomé, his assistant, took his place.
Bermúdez will debut as Spain’s coach in the Women’s Nations League semifinals against Sweden on Oct. 24. The second leg will be in Sweden four days later. Germany and France meet in the other semifinal.