🇪🇸 Spain Women’s World Cup success must empower players, not silence them

The finalists' story is a depressingly familiar one at the 2023 Women's World Cup

Amid the Spanish players jumping around celebrating making the national team’s first-ever Women’s World Cup final was Jorge Vilda. The same Jorge Vilda 15 players spent 12 months trying to remove as manager.

To those watching the joyous scenes at Auckland’s Eden Park, there was no visible divide. Vilda even led some of the dancing. He hugged and embracing several players. Make no mistake, though - Spain’s 2023 Women’s World Cup campaign has been built on a fault line.

Spain have reached Sunday’s final despite Vilda, not because of him. They have succeeded even after a sabotage attempt by their own national federation who failed a golden generation. 

Some might argue victory over England would vindicate Vilda. That his methods, which were questioned by his own players, have worked. Rather than being silenced by World Cup glory, though, Spain’s players must feel empowered - as should every other player placed in a similar situation at this tournament.

A clear message has been sent to the decision-makers in women’s football - back us or end up on the wrong side of history.