Jennifer Hermoso was kissed on the mouth by the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales, after receiving her winners medal.
Spain were crowned champions of the world for the first time in history after defeating England 1-0 in the finals of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The defending European champions hoped to lift another silverware under the brilliant tutelage of Sabrina Wiegman on Sunday.
However, the Lionesses failed to match expectations against the Spaniard who dominated the encounter for large spells.
Olga Carmona's left-footed strike in the 29th minute was enough to crown Spain as world champions for the first time in its history.
Jennifer Hermoso: Spain World Cup star reacts after getting kissed on the mouth by Spanish FA president
Following Spain’s triumph on Sunday, during the team’s celebration on the pitch, fans had noticed a bizarre moment between one player, Jennifer Hermoso and the president of the Spanish Football Federation, Luis Rubiales.
Luis Rubiales, who seemed carried away by the emotion of the moment during the medal ceremony congratulated all the soccer players of the world champion team effusively one by one, while standing next to the FIFA president Gianni Infantino and UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.
However, at the moment of congratulating Jennifer Hermoso as she stepped up, Rubiales, the president of the Federation, gave her a big hug, held her face with both hands and, between laughs, before planting a kiss on her mouth.
Reacting to the kiss, The Barcelona striker told Spanish TV afterwards: “Eh...yeah, I did not enjoy that.”
Reactions as fans left puzzled after Spanish FA president kisses Jennifer Hermoso during World Cup celebrations
Rubiales’ bizarre gesture has also attracted some buzz on social media as fans questioned the timing of the reason for his behaviour when the full focus should have been on the Spanish team’s historic feat on the night.
One user wrote on X: “Rubiales kissed Jennifer Hermoso without consent. NO IT IS NOT OKAY. NEVER OKAY.”
Before another wrote: “Someone explain this to me from Rubiales to Jennifer Hermoso.”
Another user also commented: “Luis Rubiales kisses Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth at the medal ceremony. No, they have not given a peak. He brings the player's head closer to kiss her. Who stops this guy? I don't want to imagine what they can suffer without cameras.”