The Spanish women’s team opened with a 3-0 victory in the Nations Cup over Jamaica with goals from Oroz, Esther and Fiamma, and the great novelty on the latest list, Jenni Hermoso, has not even warmed up. With five months to go before the World Cup starts, and under the pretext of getting used to jet-lag, the coach has taken his 23 players on a long and questionable trip to Australia. As usual in recent months, none of the 15 players who asked not to be called up have been among those chosen by Vilda.
Meanwhile, the conflict continues, and in recent weeks Luis Rubiales and Jorge Vilda have spoken out about it. Both leaders have highlighted the necessary commitment to be part of the team and have shown optimism for the World Cup that will start on July 20 and will last until August 20.
At the Europa Press Sports Breakfasts held last Tuesday, the president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) was emphatic: “We want footballers committed to the National Team, not those who want to go to a World Cup or a Euro Cup”. Rubiales thus threw a dart at the 15 soccer players who a few months ago asked not to be called up to the national team because the management that was being carried out directly affected their physical and mental health.
The top leader of the RFEF also spoke about the 23 players that coach Jorge Vilda called up to play this month’s friendly matches. “Everyone talks about the 15 and I think we should talk about the 23 that managed to draw against Sweden and beat the United States, the number 1 in the world.”
Along the same lines, Jorge Vilda, who yesterday participated in the Australian Nations Cup presentation ceremony, was also asked about ‘Las 15’. “I ask for respect for my team. We are preparing for the World Cup, and his question seems to me to be disrespectful towards the team,” he answered annoyed. “I have the best team that I want to train, nothing more. Spain always has great aspirations, like Australia, Germany, France, they are all teams with aspirations,” he added.
These words come after the controversial statements that the national coach offered at the press conference after the publication of the squad list, where he assured that “to win an equal tournament, it is not best to go with those who play the best”. He also stressed that the federation’s commitment to women’s football is “undeniable”. “I am sure that if the tournament was held on Mars or Jupiter, the federation would take us on a rocket.”
After the last calls in which none of the 15 players involved in the conflict have been, some players have received their first call with the national team. Given the absence of some of the ‘fixed’ and the appearance of new faces, many fans ask themselves: If the conflict had not broken out and ‘Las 15’ had remained in the last calls, Jorge Vilda would have chosen to call many of the players who have been part of the team in recent months?
The truth is that five of the footballers who are part of the nucleus of players who asked not to be part of the calls —Sandra Paños, Mapi León, Irene Paredes, Aitana Bonmatí and Alexia Putellas—, have been shortlisted to be part of the best eleven of the world created by FIFPRO, the global union of soccer players. A list with a majority from Barça that stands out for the presence of Spanish players.
In total, up to 23 players are fighting to shape this eleven, which will be announced at the FIFA The Best awards gala next Monday, February 27. This is a recognition that rewards the good performance of players in all positions during the past season (2021-22).
The war continues, and although some footballers could approach the national team in the coming months, the truth is that to date only Jenni Hermoso has returned to Jorge Vilda’s list.
Spain will face its second match on February 19 in Sydney against Australia at 8:00 a.m. in Spain (7:00 p.m. local), and the last one will take place on February 22, at 4:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m. there) against the Czech Republic in Newcastle (Australia).