Spain Women’s World Cup star’s family heartache after final whistle

Goal-scorer Olga Carmona was celebrating Spain’s breakthrough victory over England when she was given some terrible news.

Spain's defender Olga Carmona (right) celebrates her team's win over England. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

Spanish Women’s World Cup hero Olga Carmona was the toast of the global game after her goal proved the difference in the final against England.

Shortly after the final whistle and the victory celebration, however, she was informed of the awful news her father had passed away, the Spanish football federation (RFEF) announced.

The 23-year-old defender drilled home the only goal of the game in Sydney to help La Roja win the tournament for the first time.

Spain's defender Olga Carmona (right) celebrates her team's win over England. (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

In a terribly sad note to one of the greatest moments in the country’s rich football history, the RFEF released a statement about the tragedy.

“The RFEF deeply regrets having to report the death of Olga Carmona’s father,” said the Spanish federation in a statement.

“The footballer learned the sad news after the World Cup final.

“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.”

⚫️ PÉSAME | La @RFEF lamenta profundamente comunicar el fallecimiento del padre de Olga Carmona. La futbolista ha conocido la triste noticia una vez concluida la final de la Copa del Mundo.

Mandamos nuestro abrazo más sincero a Olga y a su familia en un momento de profundo… pic.twitter.com/BSe2XmUrVF

— RFEF (@rfef) August 20, 2023

There were reports Carmona’s father had passed away on Friday, but the decision was made by friends and family not to tell the Spanish defender until after Sunday’s final.

A still beaming Carmona was interviewed after the game with an empty stadium in the background, expressing her shock at the team’s triumph.

“I think we’re still not aware of what we’ve achieved,” the post reads.

“When we land we’re going to freak out.”

🙌🏻 ¡¡Qué viva España!! ¡¡Somos #CampeonasdelMundo!!

🗣️ @7olgacarmona nos cuenta cómo ha marcado el gol que le ha dado el título a España.

➡️ "Creo que todavía no somos conscientes de lo que hemos conseguido. Cuando aterricemos vamos a flipar".#JugarLucharYGanarpic.twitter.com/NjRrg4bOTx

— Selección Española Femenina de Fútbol (@SEFutbolFem) August 20, 2023

How to you even begin to get your head around this? Desperately sad. Olga Carmona, who scored the goal that won the World Cup — and dedicated it to the mother of her best friend, who had just passed away — found out after the game that her own father had passed away. https://t.co/a4TFKvwil3

— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) August 20, 2023

Apart from her goal, Carmona also made headlines during the game when the Real Madrid player displayed an undershirt with the word “Merchi” on it, which was later revealed to be a dedication to the late mother of one of her best friends.

“I want to say this victory is for one of my best friend’s mother, who died recently, I celebrated the goal with that shirt,” Carmona told Spanish state broadcasters La 1, soon after the game.

There was initial confusion over Carmona’s goal celebration. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)

Reacting on social media, one fan wrote: “Seriously, can anyone read Carmona’s shirt?”

Another added: “Someone who speaks Spanish tell me what word this is on Carmona’s shirt.”

A third also tweeted: “I am more curious what is written on Carmona’s shirt.”

Another commented: “Can someone PLEASE tell me what is written on Olga Carmona’s shirt! My curiosity is killing meeeeee.”

And there were plenty more who were equally baffled.

Initially there was a theory it was about a school she attended, but the true message was eventually revealed.

- With AFP