Spain Women and Pachuca striker Jenni Hermoso has revealed that she received "threats" over the Luis Rubiales kiss scandal that overshadowed the 2023 Women's World Cup.
The 33-year-old was kissed on the lips by Rubiales after Spain defeated England 1-0 in the Sydney final to win the Women's World Cup for the first time in their history.
The disgraced former RFEF president - who was also lambasted for grabbing his crotch during the ceremony - has always insisted that the kiss was mutual, although Hermoso denies that she gave him her consent.
As a result, Rubiales faced numerous calls to step down from his post, but the 46-year-old - who was provisionally suspended by FIFA - refused to resign during an outlandish address at the Extraordinary General Assembly.
However, Rubiales reluctantly left his role in September and has since been given a three-year football banning order, as well as being handed a restraining order preventing him from going within 200m or contacting Hermoso.
While Rubiales remained in his post, Spain's World Cup winners planned to boycott matches, while manager Jorge Vilda was sacked after 11 coaches resigned from their jobs.
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La Roja's world champions have since returned to the ranks under Montse Tome, though, and Hermoso was called up to her country's squad for the first time since the World Cup last month.
Opening up on her turbulent few months to GQ Espana, Hermoso confessed that she had received unspecified threats over the Rubiales affair but still possesses the same love for the game thanks to her psychologist.
"I have had to assume the consequences of an act that I did not provoke, that I had not chosen or premeditated. I have received threats, and that is something you never get used to," Hermoso said.
"These weeks have been very difficult. Also having to tell it over and over again was hurting me a lot. But I know I had to let it go somehow. I continue working on it with the help of my psychologist, who I have been with for many years.
"For me, mental health is as important as daily training, like the hours I have to sleep to be able to go out on the field. Thanks to her I feel strong and I am not broken down or thinking about not wanting to play soccer anymore. I have not lost my enthusiasm."
Hermoso, who is the all-time goalscorer for the Spain Women's team, netted her 52nd goal for the world champions in a 1-0 win over Italy in October's Women's Nations League fixtures.
Ben Knapton
