Spain’s Women’s World Cup hero Olga Carmona learns of father’s death after final
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Carmona drilled home the only goal of the game in Sydney to help La Roja win the tournament for the first time in their history.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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MADRID – Spain’s Women’s World Cup hero Olga Carmona paid tribute to her father on Monday for giving her the strength “to achieve something unique”, after learning of his death following the team’s 1-0 win over England.
The defender, 23, drilled home the only goal of the final in Sydney on Sunday
“And without knowing it, I had my Star before the game started,” she posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “I know that you have given me the strength to achieve something unique. I know that you have been watching me tonight and that you are proud of me. Rest in peace, dad.”
The Spanish federation said Carmona “learnt the sad news after the World Cup final”. Her father, who had been fighting a long illness, died on Friday.
“We send our most sincere embraces to Olga and her family in a moment of deep pain. We love you, Olga, you are in the history of Spanish football,” it added.
The Real Madrid star dedicated her goal to the late mother of one of her best friends, displaying an undershirt with “Merchi” written on it when she scored.
“I want to say this victory is for one of my best friends’ mother, who died recently. I celebrated the goal with that shirt,” she told Spanish state broadcasters La 1, soon after the game ended.
Her Spain teammate Irene Paredes also lost her father a few days before the team began its preparations for the World Cup.
Spanish media outlet Relevo reported that Carmona’s family and friends decided not to tell her about her father’s death so that she could focus on the most important match of her life.
Her mother and brothers travelled to New Zealand during the World Cup’s group stage but then rushed back to Spain.
Her club Real expressed condolences to her and all her loved ones. REUTERS
