Former Barcelona Femini star and Spain’s record goalscorer, Jenni Hermoso, has been left out of the Spanish national team’s squad for the upcoming Women’s European Championship taking place in Switzerland in July.
35-year-old Hermoso is missing from Montse Tome’s list despite featuring in all six matches of the qualifiers for the competition and was instrumental in Spain’s run to the FIFA Women’s World Cup title in 2023.
However, Hermoso, who has 123 caps and 57 goals with Spain, last played for the national team in October 2024 amid a tumultuous court case in which ousted Spanish football federation head, Luis Rubiales, was found guilty of sexual assault.
47-year-old Rubiales faced allegations of sexual assault after kissing Hermoso on the lips during the medal presentation for Spain’s World Cup title win in the tournament co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand in 2023.
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“I understand Jenni is an important player. I spoke with her about her situation and we’ve done the same work with her as everyone else.” Tome said. “In her position, we have Patri [Guijarro], Aitana [Bonmati], Alexia [Putellas], Maite [Zubieta], Vicky [Lopez] and even Mariona [Caldentey] or [Claudia] Pina can come in there.”
Tome added, “We have assessed her performances for Tigres and spoken with her coach… It’s hard to pick 23 players, but we do the job professionally. At the end of the day that is what we have chosen.”
Reacting to her omission, Hermoso stated on social media, “I tweet because it’s the only way I have left to have a “conversation.” Let them focus on making Spain European champions, although they would do it alone, and probably much better.”
Spain will kick off their European Championship campaign on July 3 with the Iberian derby against Portugal at the Wankdorf Stadium in Bern.