The newly appointed coach of La Roja provided the reasons behind not summoning the Pachuca forward during the upcoming national team window. The press conference took place at the Luis Aragonés Hall inside the Ciudad del Fútbol in Las Rozas, where Montse Tomé was introduced as Spain’s head coach. The moment marked a transition after Jorge Vilda and set the stage for Tomé to announce the squad for the Nations League matches against Sweden and Switzerland.
Despite the spread of expectations and the fact that a large portion of the World Cup-winning squad would be involved, there was no immediate plan to invite all of the world champions. In fact, only Athenea del Castillo and Claudia Zornoza had publicly stated they would not respond to the call last Friday. The rest of the players were presumed to be under consideration, though a decision had to be disclosed in the end.
In the days leading up to the call-up, questions swirled about Jenni Hermoso’s status with the team. Hermoso was not included in the list of players selected to defend Spain in the Gothenburg and Córdoba fixtures. The absence of the captain raised curiosity about whether she would be involved later or if ongoing discussions could alter the roster for the autumn schedule.
Tomé addressed the issue directly during the briefing, emphasizing a stance built on support and protection. “We stand by Jenni and all the players in everything we do. We believe that the best way to support them is to be present with them. As the person responsible, we felt that the most prudent course was not to call her up at this moment. I have worked with her for five years, and we have been aligned as partners”, she explained. The coach stressed that the decision was taken with the aim of safeguarding the player’s welfare while maintaining team unity.
Looking at the roster, Tomé called upon several World Cup participants and included a number of players from the 15-woman core who helped win the title. Returning familiar faces helped anchor the selection, while new names signaled a blend of continuity and fresh possibilities for the team’s tactical approach.
Goalkeepers: Misa Rodríguez, Cata Coll, Enith Salom. Defenders: Irene Paredes, Laia Alexandri, Oihane Olga Carmona, Ona Batlle, Mapi León. Midfielders: Aitana Bonmatí, Alexia Putellas, Patri Guijarro, María Pérez, Tere Abelleira, Rosa Márquez. Forwards: Athenea del Castillo, Esther González, Eva Navarro, Inma Gabarro, Mariona Caldentey, Lucía García.
These selections underscore Tomé’s intent to preserve core strengths while integrating players who can contribute to a versatile, competitive Spain side in European competition and beyond. The composition balances established leaders with emerging talents, providing depth in attack, control in midfield, and resilience at the back.
As the campaign unfolds, questions remain about how the team will navigate the evolving landscape of women’s international football, the relationship with its star players, and the impact of leadership changes on performance. The press conference and the squad reveal offered a clear message: Spain aims to compete at the highest level while maintaining a supportive environment for its players.
Source: Goal