Hospitalised Ballon d'Or Feminin winner, new coach, sexism scandal: World Cup winner's past turmoil driving new title hunt
Updated . First published
A two-time Ballon d'Or Feminin winner hospitalised, a coach slowly winning back the public and the aftermath of a sexism scandal are things no team want to be dealing with ahead of a major tournament.
But for the Spanish women's national football team, it is a troubling reality.
Forecasted among the favourites to lift the Euros trophy in 2025, Spain's remarkable rise to success is one that has been overshadowed by barriers and controversy.
The UEFA Women's EURO 2025™ kicks off Thursday morning from 2am AEST, with every match live & on demand with no ads in play on the home of football, Stan Sport
In 2023, the Spanish national team was rocked by a sexism scandal that marred a historic World Cup triumph on Australian soil.
As the playing group collected their medals and World Cup trophy, the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Luis Rubiales kissed striker Jenni Hermoso.
It was an act which Rubiales insisted was consensual but Hermoso felt otherwise.
The incident sparked a severe chain reaction of events which included widespread protests around Spain, online criticism and a sexual assault trial.
In the early stages of investigations into the incident, Rubiales' own mother took a unique approach in defending her son, who had been suspended by FIFA.
Angeles Bejar endured a three day hunger strike, which saw her admitted to hospital, in revolt of the "inhumane and bloody hunt" against her son.
Still, a trial was later held in relation to Rubiales act at the global tournament and he was found guilty of sexual assault.
What followed was a player-driven boycott against the RFEF with 81 members - including all 23 World Cup stars - refusing to don the national team jersey if Rubiales was to remain in charge. The boycott lasted just over a month.
The federation confirmed Rubiales had resigned from his role just one week after they terminated the head coach Jorge Vilda from his duties.
Vilda's journey with the team was not as smooth sailing as he hoped, having survived a player revolt just 12 months out from the World Cup.
Jorge Vilda, former head Coach of Spain speaks to then assistant coach Montse Tome. Getty
Alongside complaints from players to the federation ahead of the tournament, Vilda was met by a chorus of boos after the World Cup final in Australia.
Yet, his successor, who was his assistant at the final, could not escape criticism either.
Montse Tome, a former Spain midfielder, was appointed into the top job despite having no previous head coach experience in September 2023.
Tome's signing was viewed by some as a continuation of the previous reign under Vilda, while others questioned why a "world-class" coach was not appointed.
Internal unrest was short-lived under Tome after a fourth place finish at the Olympic Games as Tome led the nation win the inaugural Women's Nations League last year.
However, another victory on the global stage could help put an end to lingering criticism.
Tome speaks to Aitana Bonmati in a cooling break during the Women's Olympic Bronze Medal match. Getty
Spain currently sit second on the world rankings behind the United States and are the reigning world champions and Nations League champions.
Their success has been established by a series of regular starters including the likes of Ballon d'Or Feminin winners Aitana Bonmati and Alexia Putellas.
The star duo were both absent from the team's 2022 Euros campaign due to injury, with Putellas cleared of any concern ahead of the upcoming tournament.
However, for Bonmati, the path to the 2025 Euros has been unsteady.
The Barcelona midfielder, who has scored 30 goals in 78 games for Spain, was absent from the team's international friendly against Japan last week as she was being treated in hospital for viral meningitis.
"[Bonmati] is so important for us and we will wait for her, whatever happens, until the end," said Tome after it was revealed Bonmati was in hospital.
It was initially unclear if the 27-year-old would recover in time for the Euros tournament - starting Thursday - but in a major boost for the Spain, it was confirmed on Tuesday evening (AEST) that Bonmati had been discharged from hospital and had returned to the team's hotel.
It is unlikely that she will feature in the team's opening match against Portugal on Friday, although she is expected to play throughout the competition.
Jenni Hermoso of Spain. Getty
A successful run in the build up to the Euros saw minor changes made to the team lists by Tome, who notably axed Hermoso from the squad.
Hermoso's omission was not in relation to the sexism scandal - a factor that was influential in the forward's absence from Tome's first Spain squad.
The 35-year-old did not hold back from taking aim online at the coach's selection.
"I truly have a clear conscience, too, and even more so when I remove environments with such bad energy from my life," her post on X translated to English said.
"Management? That's what others should learn to do; that part is too big for them.
"I'm tweeting because it's the only way left to have a 'conversation'. She should focus on making Spain European champions, although they could do it alone, and probably much better."
Spain will look to replicate the success of the male counterparts when they kick off their 2025 Euros campaign against Portugal in Bern on Friday at 5am AEST.
