Jenni Hermoso, legend!

She was the second best player in the world in 2022, was left at the gates when Alexia won her first Ballon d’Or. A year later she went to Mexico, and with Pachuca, finished as the second top goal scorer in the Liga MX Femenil Clausura 2023. She has picked up the Pichichi award four times in Spain (she shares the record with Sonia Bermúdez) and is the fourth top goal scorer of all-time in the Spanish top flight with 232 goals in 347 games.

Now, at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, Jenni has reached more career milestones. She became the second player to reach a century of caps for La Roja in Spain’s second outing of the tournament, against Zambia. And celebrated it by grabbing a couple of goals in the 5-0 win - bringing up her 50th goal for the national team and helping to see Jorge Vilda’s side safely through to the Round of 16.

Even her own team mates have noticed that she is in a joyous moment of form. “Have you seen her? She’s on fire! A player like her brings us closer to winning matches,” Irene Paredes said after the game. And she should know, as they have known each other since they were both starting out.

That’s Jenni Hermoso for you. A player who makes a difference, a player with an innate talent. Her movements make Spain step into gear, makes their football flow and the ball enter. There is no denying the excellent moment he is going through. The first to admit it was Jorge Vilda. “One thing you can say about her is that she is very much a team player. She gives her talent always to benefit of the team. Sometimes, she has to play as a false No.9. When she plays as a No.10, she does it superbly. A player like Jenni can play absolutely anywhere.”

At 33, Jenni is showing she has a point to make at international level. There was a time when she was questioned. Some observers even question whether she should have a place in the national team. She has proved any doubters wrong. She is Spain’s most senior player at the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand with 100 cap - just four behind Alexia as well as the all-time top scorer. Those numbers will continue to grow for the good of the team.

Locker room leader

On top of her attributes as the most senior and experienced player, Jenni‘s charisma is something magical, contagious - it rubs off on everyone else. There is no player whose face does not light up when talk turns to the Madrileña. “Jenni is magic on the pitch, a differential player”, admits Salma, who at 19 is receiving a masterclass from the Pachuca striker. Another of the new generation, Olga Carmona, added: “She is a very versatile player, I love playing with her. He has a spectacular left foot. She can play wherever she wants, she has quality all over the pitch”.

Ivana did not spare praise either: “Jenni is one hell of footballer. She’s a top player, one of the best. She has been the second best player in the world. For us it is essential, she can play in any position - midfielder, forward... She’s spectacular, no one takes the ball from her. She gives us so much. Defending against Jenni in training is… [not easy!] we are talking about one of the best players in the world”. Spain is extremely lucky have a player like Jenni...