MEXICAN SOCCER
Hermoso isn’t leaving Pachuca for Tigres: here’s what you need to know
Pachuca have poured cold water on speculation that Spanish World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso is in contention to leave the club for Tigres.
Pachuca have denied rumours that forward Jenni Hermoso could be about to leave for Mexican rivals Tigres.
Hermoso exit not on the cards, Pachuca say
Club sources have insisted to AS México that there are no plans to sell Hermoso, who was a key player for Spain as La Roja won their first ever Women’s World Cup this summer.
And Pachuca assistant coach Óscar Torres this week told reporters of his surprise at speculation over the 33-year-old’s future, declaring: “I don’t know anything about that; there’s nothing in it.”
Usme in for Hermoso, reports claim
On Monday, several reports in Colombia claimed that Hermoso was in line to be offloaded to make way for the potential signing of América de Cali’s Colombia international Catalina Usme.
Pachuca currently have no available berths for foreigners in their squad, so Las Tuzas would have to sell a non-homegrown player to accommodate Usme’s arrival.
Mexican league rules allow clubs to have a maximum of four foreign players in their first-team group.
Pachuca not shying away from Usme links
While Pachuca have scotched talk of a Hermoso departure and say no negotiations have taken place over a deal for Usme, the club is not denying the Colombian’s quality. Indeed, Las Amazonas appear to be open to a move for the 33-year-old if there is a possibility of signing her.
Hermoso at centre of Rubiales row
Hermoso, a Women’s Champions League winner with Barcelona in 2021, has been at Pachuca since June 2022.
Capped 101 times, she won the Silver Ball at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, scoring three times in Spain’s victorious campaign in Australia and New Zealand.
However, the trophy triumph has been overshadowed by the fallout from the kiss on the lips that Hermoso received from Spanish FA president Luis Rubiales during the team’s celebrations.
Hermoso has said she did not consent to being kissed by Rubiales, whom FIFA has suspended from his post as soccer’s governing body investigates his conduct in the aftermath of the World Cup final.
Video - Recap of the Rubiales/Hermoso developments:
