Olga Carmona scored the winning goal for the Spanish soccer team at the Women’s World Cup last Sunday (20/8). In the midst of the victory celebrations after the game whistle ended, Carmona received news that his father had died.
The Spanish Football Federation said Monday (21/8) that Carmona’s father had fallen ill and died while Carmona’s mother and other relatives traveled to Australia to watch him play in the final. There have been no further details about the cause of death.
The family decided to wait until the match was over and Spain’s victory celebrations were over before breaking the sad news to Carmona.
“Without realizing (the sad news), I got this medal,” Carmona tweeted Sunday, alongside a photo of herself kissing her winning medal. “I know he (his father.red) gives strength to achieve something unique. I know that he watched me tonight and was proud of me. Rest in peace father.”
Carmona tweeted again on Monday to thank people for their kindness and said he would attend his team’s victory ceremony.
“Yesterday was the best and worst day of my life. I know that he (father.ed) wants to see me enjoy this historical moment, so that’s why I will be with my team-mates, so that from where he is, he knows that this medal is also his, father.”
Prior to the news of Carmona’s father’s death, the Spanish Football Federation said new celebrations would take place upon the girls’ team’s arrival in Madrid later Monday.
Best Player in Finals
Carmona scored with a left-foot shot in the 29th minute to give Spain a 1-0 win over England in Sydney, Australia. She also scored a stoppage-time winner in La Roja’s 2-1 semi-final win over Sweden and became the first player since United States player Carli Lloyd in 2015 to score in a World Cup semi-final and final.
“We love you, Olga,” the Spanish Football Federation tweeted, adding “you are part of the history of Spanish football.”
Olga Carmona, the 23-year-old, was named best player in Sunday’s final. He celebrated his goal by paying tribute to a friend who recently lost his mother.
“I think all of us, we feel that this team has something special,” said the Real Madrid defender after Spain won the title.
Real Madrid released a statement on Sunday evening regarding the death of Olga Carmona’s father and expressed their condolences to the player and his family. Carmona’s team-mate in the Spanish national team, Irene Paredes, also lost her father days before Spain started preparations for the Women’s World Cup. (em/hr)
