Jenni Hermoso facts for kids
.jpg)
Jenni Hermoso in 2024
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jennifer Hermoso Fuentes | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 9 May 1990 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Madrid, Spain | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.75 m | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Forward | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Club information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current club | Tigres UANL | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Number | 10 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002–2005 | Atlético Madrid | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2004–2010 | Atlético Madrid | 89+ | (19+) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2010–2013 | Rayo Vallecano | 72 | (42) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2013 | Tyresö FF | 20 | (6) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2014–2017 | Barcelona | 90 | (77) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2017–2018 | Paris Saint-Germain | 19 | (6) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2018–2019 | Atlético Madrid | 28 | (24) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2019–2022 | Barcelona | 68 | (71) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2022–2023 | Pachuca | 41 | (26) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2024– | Tigres UANL | 34 | (10) | |||||||||||||||||||
| National team‡ | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007 | Spain U19 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012– | Spain | 123 | (57) | |||||||||||||||||||
|
Honours
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
† Appearances (Goals). |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Jennifer Hermoso Fuentes (born May 9, 1990), known as Jenni Hermoso, is a Spanish professional footballer. She plays as a forward for Liga MX Femenil club Tigres UANL and the Spain national team. She is the top goal scorer for Spain of all time. Jenni was a key player when Spain won the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. She also won the Silver Ball award at that tournament.
Jenni started her football journey at her hometown club, Atlético Madrid. She played there for eight years. After that, she moved to Rayo Vallecano. In 2011, Jenni won her first big title with Rayo. In 2013, she moved to Tyresö FF in Sweden. A few months later, she played for Spain in the UEFA Women's Euro 2013. She scored her first important international goal against England.
In 2014, Jenni joined FC Barcelona. She changed her playing role from a midfielder to a false 9 (a type of forward). This change made her score many goals. She won two "Pichichi" titles as the top scorer in the Spanish league. She also won two league titles and two Spanish Cups (Copas de la Reina). Jenni also played for Spain in the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup, which was Spain's first time in the tournament. After leaving Barcelona in 2017, she played for PSG in France. Then she returned to Spain in 2018 to play for Atlético Madrid. There, she won her third Pichichi title and her fourth league title.
Jenni returned to FC Barcelona in 2019. In her last three seasons at Barcelona, she won three league titles, three Copas de la Reina, and the 2020–21 UEFA Women's Champions League. She also helped the team win the continental treble (winning three major titles in one season). Jenni was the top scorer in the Spanish league in 2019–20 and 2020–21. In 2021, she was also the top scorer in Europe's top five women's leagues. She was also the joint-top scorer in the UEFA Women's Champions League that season. At the end of 2021, she was second in the Ballon d'Or voting. She was the world's highest female goal scorer in 2021 with 51 goals.
After Barcelona finished second in the 2021–22 UEFA Women's Champions League, Jenni signed with Pachuca in Mexico. In 2023, Jenni played in her third World Cup with Spain. Spain won the tournament for the first time ever. During the medal ceremony, Jenni was kissed by the president of the Spanish Football Federation. This event caused a lot of discussion and led to changes in the federation's leadership. The president and the coach were removed, and the federation promised to make big changes.
Jenni holds the record for the most "Pichichi" trophies, with five. She also holds the record for the most goals scored for the Spanish national team. She achieved this in 2021.
Contents
Early life and beginnings in football
Jenni grew up playing futsal (indoor football) and seven-a-side football. She often played on teams with boys when she was young.
Her grandfather, Antonio Hernández, used to be a goalkeeper for Atlético Madrid. He would take her to watch Atlético's games. Jenni started playing at Atlético Madrid when she was twelve years old, encouraged by her grandfather.
Club career highlights
Atlético Madrid (2004–2010)
Jenni started playing for Atlético Madrid's senior team in 2004. She scored a goal in her first game. In the 2005–06 season, she scored 12 goals in 16 games. One of her goals helped Atlético get promoted to the top league, the Superliga.
She left the club in 2010 after playing for Atlético for eight years.
Rayo Vallecano (2010–2013)
Jenni joined Rayo Vallecano in 2010. Rayo had won the Superliga the year before. Jenni scored her first Champions League goals against Icelandic club Valur. Rayo reached the knockout stages but were stopped by Arsenal. In the 2010–11 Superliga final, Jenni scored the winning goal. This helped Rayo win their third league title, which was her first major title.
In the 2011–12 Champions League, Jenni scored a hat-trick (three goals in one game) against Slovenian team ŽNK Krka. Rayo made it to the Round of 16 again, but were again beaten by Arsenal. In May 2012, Jenni scored the winning goal against Barcelona. This ended Barcelona's unbeaten streak that season.
Jenni left Rayo in 2013 because the team faced financial problems.
Tyresö FF (2013)
.jpg)
In 2013, Jenni moved to Tyresö FF in Sweden. This was her first time playing football outside of Spain. It was also the first time she played as a full-time professional.
She played in the 2013–14 UEFA Women's Champions League with Tyresö. She scored 6 goals in 20 league games. Tyresö finished second in the Swedish league and second in the Champions League that season.
FC Barcelona (2014–2017)
First period at Barcelona
In January 2014, Jenni joined Barcelona. On April 12, 2014, she scored a goal that helped Barcelona win their third league title. In June, she helped Barcelona win her first Copa de la Reina (Spanish Cup). She scored a penalty in the final shootout.
In the 2014–15 season, Jenni played in the Champions League for Barcelona for the first time. On April 22, 2015, she won her second league title with Barcelona.
In the 2015–16 season, Jenni started playing more as a forward. This helped her become a great goal scorer. She scored her first Champions League goal for Barcelona. She also won her first "Pichichi" title as the league's top scorer with 24 goals.
In February 2017, Jenni was nominated for the FIFPro Women's World 11, which lists the best players in the world. In March 2017, she scored a header in the Champions League quarterfinals. This goal helped Barcelona reach their first ever Champions League semifinal. On May 2, Jenni scored 6 goals in one game, a huge 13–0 win. She finished the league season as the top scorer for the second year in a row, with 35 goals.
On June 18, 2017, Jenni scored two goals in the 2017 Copa de la Reina final. This helped her win her second Spanish Cup with Barcelona. She scored 77 goals in 90 games during her first time at Barcelona.
Paris Saint-Germain (2017–2018)
On July 3, 2017, Jenni signed a three-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in France. At PSG, she played more as a midfielder. She scored 6 goals in 19 league games and had 7 assists. PSG finished second in the league and won the French Cup (Coupe de France) in 2017–18.
In August 2018, Jenni left PSG. She said she missed Spain.
Atlético Madrid (2018–2019)
After one season in France, Jenni returned to Spain and rejoined Atlético Madrid in August 2018. She was a key player as Atlético won their third league title in a row. She scored 24 goals for Atlético, earning her third "Pichichi" title. Atlético finished second in the 2018–19 Copa de la Reina, losing in the final.
Jenni was named one of the best playmakers in the world in 2018. She was also chosen for the league's Best XI team of the season.
FC Barcelona (2019–2022)
Second period at Barcelona
On July 2, 2019, Jenni officially returned to FC Barcelona. In her first game back, she scored three goals in 18 minutes. On March 1, 2020, she scored her 100th league goal for Barcelona.
The 2019–20 league season was stopped because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Barcelona were named champions. Jenni was the league's top scorer with 23 goals. She was also the top scorer in Europe's top five leagues. Barcelona reached the Champions League semifinals that season. Jenni was named to the UEFA Women's Champions League Squad of the Season.
The 2019–20 Copa de la Reina final was played in February 2021. Jenni scored Barcelona's final goal, helping them win her third Copa de la Reina title with the club.
Record breaking season
On December 5, 2020, Jenni scored four goals in one game. This made her Barcelona Femeni's all-time top scorer, passing the previous record. She also broke the record for most league goals scored with Barcelona. At the end of 2020, Jenni was nominated for FIFA's The Best award.
In the Champions League quarterfinals, Jenni scored a goal that helped Barcelona advance. In the semifinals, she scored against her former club, PSG. Barcelona won the tie and reached their second Champions League final.
On May 16, Jenni started her first Champions League final against Chelsea. Barcelona won the final 4–0. Jenni finished as the top scorer in the Champions League that season, tied with another player. She was the first Spanish player to do this. She was also named to the Champions League Squad of the Season for the second time. Later, she won the UEFA Women's Champions League Forward of the Season award.
In the 2020–21 season, Jenni was in a close race for the Pichichi title. She scored three goals in the final game to win her fifth Pichichi title. This broke the record of four titles held by a former teammate. She ended the season with 31 league goals. She was the top scorer in Europe's top five leagues for the second year in a row. In August 2021, she was a finalist for the UEFA Women's Player of the Year Award.
In the 2021–22 season, Jenni scored two goals in Barcelona's first ever Gamper Trophy match. In November, she finished second in the Ballon d'Or voting. Jenni finished 2021 with 51 goals in all games. This was the most goals scored by any female footballer in the world that year.
Pachuca (2022–2023)
On June 21, 2022, Jenni signed with Liga MX Femenil club Pachuca in Mexico.
Tigres UANL (2024–)
On January 1, 2024, Jenni signed with Tigres UANL.
International career highlights
Youth national teams
Jenni first played for Spain's U-19 national team on April 12, 2007. She scored two goals in that game. She played a total of 4 official matches for Spain's U-19 team.
Debut and Euro 2013
In September 2011, Jenni was called up to the Spanish national team for the first time. She played her first senior game on June 21, 2012. Spain won that game, which helped them qualify for the UEFA Women's Euro 2013. Jenni scored her first national team goal in a friendly game in January 2013.
In June 2013, Jenni was part of Spain's team for the UEFA Women's Euro 2013 finals in Sweden. She scored her first important goal for Spain in their first match against England. Spain won the game, and Jenni was named Player of the Match. Spain reached the quarterfinals but lost to Norway.
Spain's first Women's World Cup (2015)
Jenni played in all 10 qualifying matches for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada. She scored 7 goals. Spain won all their qualifying games except one, making it to their first Women's World Cup. Jenni played in Spain's first World Cup match, which was a 1–1 tie against Costa Rica. Spain did not do well in the tournament and did not make it past the group stage. After the World Cup, the players asked for the coach to be replaced, and he eventually left.
Euro 2017
Under Spain's new coach, Jorge Vilda, Jenni became a regular starter and played as a striker. Spain had a perfect record in qualifying for the UEFA Women's Euro 2017 in the Netherlands. Spain also won the Algarve Cup in March 2017, a friendly tournament.
On June 20, 2017, Jenni was called up for her second Euro tournament. Spain reached the quarterfinals but lost to Austria in a penalty shootout.
2019 FIFA Women's World Cup
.jpg)
In qualifying for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France, Jenni scored 7 goals and made 9 assists. Spain won all their qualifying matches. Jenni was part of Spain's team for the World Cup. She scored two goals in their first game against South Africa. Spain won that game, their first ever win in a Women's World Cup.
Spain made it to the Round of 16 for the first time. They played against the United States. Jenni scored a goal to tie the game, but Spain eventually lost to the USA, who went on to win the tournament.
Becoming Spain's all-time top scorer (2021)
On February 14, 2021, Jenni scored 5 goals in a game against Azerbaijan. Her 41st goal in that game made her the highest goalscorer for the Spanish national team of all time. Jenni finished the qualifying round for the 2022 Euro tournament with 10 goals, the most in her group.
2022: Supporting teammates
After the 2022 Euros, many Spanish players had concerns about how the national team was run. Jenni supported a group of 15 players who asked not to be called up to the team until things improved. Because she supported them, Jenni was not called up for some matches. However, she returned to the team in February 2023.
2023 FIFA Women's World Cup victory
Jenni was part of the team for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. In Spain's second match against Zambia, Jenni scored two goals. This was her 100th game for Spain and her 50th goal. Spain reached the World Cup final and beat England 1–0 to win the title for the first time. Jenni received the Silver Ball award as the second-best player of the tournament. She said she hoped everyone in Spain was as proud as the team was.
After the final, during the medal ceremony, an incident occurred with the president of the Spanish Football Federation. This led to a lot of public discussion and strong reactions. Jenni stated that she did not consent to the action. Many players and others supported Jenni. This situation led to the president and the national team coach being removed from their positions. The Spanish Football Federation promised to make big changes.
Recent international games
On October 27, 2023, Jenni played her first international match since the World Cup. She came off the bench and scored the only goal in a 1–0 win against Italy in the Nations League.
In 2024, Jenni played in all 6 of Spain's qualifying games for the 2025 Euros. She scored against all three teams in their group. She was Spain's joint top scorer during the qualifying games.
How Jenni Hermoso plays
When Jenni first started her career, she played as a center midfielder or attacking midfielder. In 2015, her coaches moved her to a more attacking role, as a center-forward or false 9. She still plays this role today. This change helped her become a great goal scorer.
As a false 9, Jenni plays best when she can drop deeper and move freely between the other team's players. She often switches between playing in the middle and on the sides of the field. This helps her create and find open spaces. Her free movement is important for Barcelona's tactics. It allows her to get the ball and create scoring chances. She has been one of Barcelona's biggest contributors to their attack. With Spain, she has a slightly different role that requires more pressing and staying in her position.
Jenni is known for being tall (1.75m or 5 ft. 9 in.). This helps her score goals with her head, especially from set pieces (like corners or free kicks). She is not very fast, so she plays best in slower, possession-based football. She is left-footed but can score with both feet. Jenni is also good at scoring goals from outside the penalty box.
Her former coach at PSG, Patrice Lair, described her as "a very technical and athletic left-footed player." He said she could play in attack or midfield and was good at scoring many goals.
Honours
Rayo Vallecano
- Primera División: 2010–11
Barcelona
- Primera División: 2013–14, 2014–15, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22
- UEFA Women's Champions League: 2020–21
- Copa de la Reina de Fútbol: 2014, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022
- Supercopa Femenina: 2019–20, 2021–22
Atlético Madrid
- Primera División: 2018–19
Paris Saint-Germain
- Coupe de France Féminine: 2017–18
Tigres UANL
- Campeón de Campeonas: 2024
Spain
- FIFA Women's World Cup: 2023
- UEFA Women's Nations League: 2023–24
- Algarve Cup: 2017
- Cyprus Cup: 2018
Individual
- FIFA Women's World Cup Silver Ball: 2023
- Primera División Top scorer: 2015–16, 2016–17, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21
- UEFA Women's Champions League Squad of the Season: 2019–20, 2020–21
- UEFA Women's Champions League top scorer: 2020–21
- UEFA Champions League Forward of the Season: 2020–21
- IFFHS Women's World Team of the Year: 2021, 2023
- IFFHS Women's UEFA Team: 2021, 2023
- The Offside Rule Podcast/The Guardian list of The 100 Best Female Footballers in the World: 2016 (86.), 2017 (42.), 2018 (49.), 2019 (25.), 2020 (14.), 2021 (6.), 2022 (50.), 2023 (15.), 2024 (67.)
- The Guardian Footballer of the Year: 2023
- Time 100: The 100 most influential people of 2024
- Sócrates Award: 2024
Images for kids
-
Jenni Hermoso during the 2019 Women's World Cup.
-
A protest in support of Jenni Hermoso in August 2023.
See also
In Spanish: Jennifer Hermoso para niños
