Spain Women’s all-time leading goalscorer Jenni Hermoso has been called up to the Roja squad for the first time since the 2023 World Cup and subsequent Luis Rubiales scandal.
Spain’s maiden World Cup triumph in the women’s game was marred by Rubiales’s conduct after the match, as the former RFEF president kissed Hermoso on the lips during the celebrations.
Hermoso claimed that she did not consent to the kiss at any point, while Rubiales has always insisted that the act was mutual, and the latter’s behaviour sparked significant uproar.
The fallout saw a total of 81 Spain players threaten to boycott matches, while head coach Jorge Vilda was also sacked five days before Rubiales reluctantly resigned from his post.
The 46-year-old appeared in a Spanish court last month to face allegations of sexual assault and coercion from prosecutors, and he was given a restraining order forbidding him from contacting or going within 200m of Hermoso.
Boycotting players also announced that they would end their strike after being promised change by the federation, but new Spain head coach Montse Tome left Hermoso out of her first Roja squad to “protect” the 33-year-old.
The World Cup holders opened their Nations League campaign with wins over Sweden and Switzerland last month, and Hermoso has now been recalled for their next set of fixtures in League A Group 4.
Spain will meet Italy at Stadio Arechi on October 27, four days before a reunion with Switzerland in Zurich.
