Jenni Hermoso is vying to become The Best FIFA Women’s Player
We highlight her 2020/21 with achievements, stats and quotes
The 31-year-old recorded multiple milestones
2020/21 achievements
Struck four times against Santa Teresa to surpass Sonia Bermudez and become Barcelona’s all-time leading markswoman.
Hit eight goals in two games to become Spain’s all-time leading scorer.
Finished as the joint-second-top scorer in UEFA Women’s EURO qualifying to help Spain cruise to a place at England 2022.
Won a penalty to help Barcelona win the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Finished joint-top scorer in that tournament, becoming the first Spaniard to achieve the feat.
Named the UEFA Women’s Champions League Forward of the Season.
Inspired Barcelona to a record-breaking season in the Primera Division. Barça seized 99 points from a possible 102 and finished with a +152 goal difference.
Netted seven goals in her last four games to pip Esther Gonzalez and win her fifth Pichichi award, breaking Sonia Bermudez’s record.
Finished as the leading markswoman in Europe’s top five leagues in back-to-back seasons.
Helped Spain continue their exceptional run of victories without conceding goals, which now stands at 16 games.
Made The Best FIFA Women’s Player shortlist for the second time. Was then announced as one of the three finalists for the first time.
Stats
51 Hermoso scored 51 goals in 2021 – more than any female footballer on the planet. It was also more than the likes of Erling Haaland (49), Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema (both 43) and Lionel Messi (43), and was only surpassed by one man, Robert Lewandowski (69). 46 The 31-year-old registered 46 goals and assists combined in the 2020/21 Primera Division – in only 26 appearances! 3 Three demotions is what Sonia Bermudez received in three appearances courtesy of her former Rayo Vallecano and Barcelona team-mate. First, Hermoso’s hat-trick against Moldova relegated Bermudez from second to third on Spain’s all-time leading markswomen. Then, Hermoso hit four goals against Santa Teresa to long-jump past Bermudez and become Barça’s record scorer in the Primera Division. Finally, four days later, Hermoso eclipsed Bermudez to become the club’s all-time leading scorer in all competitions.
What they said about Hermoso…
“She’s got everything. She has so much talent, a winning mentality, she’s a leader, a big-game player. She’s pure magic.” Mariona Caldentey “You never enjoy facing Jenni Hermoso at all. Every time I’ve faced her I’ve been aware of what a top level she’s at. It’s really fun to see her play, though. She has a great ability to create plays, outstanding technique.” Rose Lavelle
Did you know?
Jenni’s grandfather Antonio was a goalkeeper who played for Atletico Madrid.
Hermoso loved watching Fernando Redondo and Zinedine Zidane as a kid, but her biggest idol was Atletico Madrid ace Ana Fernandez Navarrete, AKA Nervy.
Hermoso played alongside Marta for Tyreso in Sweden in 2013. “I remember being amazed not just by her ability, but by how good she was physically. In my first few days there we played against some lads and it looked like she was playing against kids.”
Jenni is the life and soul of the Barcelona dressing room, putting on music, singing, dancing and doing impressions.
Hermoso has an enviable shirt collection. Her favourites include those of Marta, Christen Press and an old training jumper she got from one of her first exchanges with her heroine, Nervy.
The forward is heavily tattooed. Those covering the entirety of her left arm are dedicated to her family. Another is a quote from the movie ‘Million Dollar Baby’, while others include a lion and the phrase, ‘What you do in life echoes in eternity.’
Hermoso has deejayed in bars in Barcelona.
What Jenni said…
“To be a top player you obviously need ability and hard work and perseverance, but there is another ingredient that little is said about: mental health. You need to keep playing at the same level and keep winning trophies year after year.” “I’m happy with all the recognition. I’m very happy to see Spanish players getting all this recognition. You better get used to seeing Spanish players nominated for awards. But the time has come for us to win something with the Spanish national team. I can feel it coming.” “I’ve mixed feelings. For us, the international recognition, being stopped on the street for autographs and photos, the accolades, the opportunities, it’s incredible. But it’s taken women’s football such a long time to get here and it makes you think about all those who helped us get here. My idol Nervy, she worked and studied and had to train at night to be able to play on a weekend. She didn’t get any of the recognition she deserved.”