2023-09-03 21:58:41
by Virginia Nesi
The Spanish top scorer talks to Corriere about her triumph in Sydney and the case of the kiss stolen by the president of the Football Federation Luis Rubiales from the soccer player Jennifer Hermoso: “This is how our victory was tarnished”
Alba Redondo, 27, says she’s not obsessed with goals. It’s enough for her to feel accomplished on the pitch. Yet she is the Pichichi of the women’s league, the top scorer: 28 goals out of 30 league appearances. The Levante striker also scored at the World Cup: two goals against Zambia and one against Switzerland. Even before taking on England, her instincts believed that the Spanish women’s national team would triumph. She tells Corriere: «I knew of our potential, but when we passed the quarterfinals and went to the semifinals I had a heartbeat, I thought: we will win the World Cup». In the end Spain really won the grand final. But the kiss without consent given during the celebrations by the president of the Football Federation Luis Rubiales – he is suspended by Fifa, the prosecutor has opened an investigation – to the footballer Jennifer Hermoso has diverted attention from the historic result. All of Spain has stopped: controversies, demonstrations, pressure. The players have resumed training in their respective teams by dribbling the questions on the case. Redondo also remains silent for a few seconds when we ask her how Hermoso is doing. She then replies: «So… I haven’t been able to talk to her but you can imagine».
How does this situation make you feel?
“Actually, quite uncomfortable, right? I don’t think anyone is comfortable seeing what’s going on.”
When did you realize the seriousness of what happened?
“Woh! It’s an act that shouldn’t happen and that shouldn’t have happened because in a match final you don’t see yourself giving a footballer a kiss. The reason why this happened? I do not know. Power abuse? Can be. The important thing is that it doesn’t happen again. Jenni is not alone.”
Your unity on the pitch has also emerged off the pitch.
“Without a doubt, the team is super united and support Jenni wholeheartedly.”
What was the climate like after the final?
«Imagine, a party, we lived it intensely. Some family members were there with us, we really enjoyed the moment. And even more when I return to Spain».
He said it was like he was in a bubble.
«Even if we saw the reactions on social media, we weren’t aware of what was happening in our country. We devoted ourselves 100% to preparing each match.”
There are those who speak of a MeToo in Spanish women’s football. Spain united to support Hermoso.
«I think that Spain is united because of the theme of the kiss, but also because we have won the World Cup. It already happened in 2010 and it is true that football has united a country again».
Alba, you and 80 other players have signed a statement in which you announce that you will give up the next selection calls if the current managers remain. How did this choice come about?
«They are our things, they remain between us players».
Agree. But on September 22 you will have a new game. Will you play?
«We still don’t know anything, we just have it clear that we want changes. We now support every decision Jenni makes.”
Is the stolen kiss clouding the result of the World Cup?
“Yes, it’s not that I believe it, it’s that we are taking away the attention from the fact that we have achieved something historic for Spanish women’s football”.
The footballer Catalina Coll told the BBC that everyone is now stopping her on the street to talk to her about the kiss and not to congratulate her on winning the World Cup. Does the same thing happen to her?
“Many people stop me for photos and to find out if the medal weighs”.
And does it weigh?
«Yes, weigh, weigh (laughs ed). People can confirm that.”
September 3, 2023 (change September 3, 2023 | 21:58)
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