Pachuca's and Spain's soccer player Jenni Hermoso arrives for the FIFA Football Awards 2023 at the Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London, Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
AFLONDON (AP) — World Cup champion Aitana Bonmatà hailed a “powerful generation of women” on Monday in accepting FIFA's award as best female soccer player.
Looking on inside the Hammersmith Apollo theater in London was Spain teammate Jenni Hermoso, who has spearheaded the fight against sexism in women's soccer in Spain.
Hermoso was on the shortlist for the award, along with runner-up Linda Caicedo of Colombia.
BonmatĂ and Hermoso helped , beating England 1-0 in the final in Sydney last August.
The 33-year-old Hermoso was forcibly kissed on the lips by then-Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales during the trophy ceremony. at a Madrid court as part of a sexual assault case against Rubiales.
“I’m proud of being part of a powerful generation of women who are changing the rules of the game and the world,” Bonmatà said in English.
The 25-year-old Spain playmaker won her first last October. She took home a UEFA award in August, and to support Hermoso.
Rubiales eventually resigned three weeks after the Aug. 20 final. Women’s team coach Jorge Vilda also left his post in the fallout.
Hermoso recently stated that Vilda also had to go because players felt he .
Marta, who played in her last year, was presented a career-achievement award and Marcia Aoki, who is Pelé’s widow, was on stage to present it.
The 37-year-old Marta urged the audience to “search every day” for ways to improve equality, especially for women.
"Try to make the world better for everyone. That’s my message to everyone, to every person who has the power (to make changes),” Marta added, before motioning to Hermoso as an example. “The next generations will thank you for that.”
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