Jenni Hermoso says 'football continues to give her life' as Spain star appears in first press conference since Luis Rubiales World Cup non-consensual kiss controversy

Hermoso was involved in a scandal with the now disgraced former Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) president, after he forcefully kissed her following Spain's World Cup triumph in the summer. Hermoso has since testified in a case that will now go to trial, which also sees ex-La Roja coach Jorge Vilda implicated. And during such a trying time, the Tigres forward admits playing football has been a form of escapism.

Hermoso told reporters on Tuesday: "My last press conference was before the semi-final, a lot of time has passed, a lot of things. I wouldn't know what to say to this team because I'm sure that anything I say to them would be wrong. I'm happy, I feel good. Football continues to give me the life I need. I want to keep enjoying the national team, Tigres and I'm working to keep enjoying this sport. It has changed a lot of things for me. Football-wise and personally I've been able to change a lot, but it has made me a stronger girl. I'm proud of everything I've done and will continue to do. It's been a long, hard process, of understanding a lot of things, of getting to know others."

Hermoso was one of three players on the scoresheet as Spain cruised to the Nations League final with a 3-0 win against the Netherlands on Friday. On the opportunity to add to their World Cup crown in Wednesday's final against France, the Tigres forward added: "We are making a lot of history in a short time. What better for a team to feel like world champions. We have a beautiful ambition and tomorrow we have the chance to win another title. The team is getting better and better. We have a clear idea of what we want to do and the players enjoy it, they want the ball and are more aware of what they can become. Maybe that's where we've changed. Before we didn't believe in it as much as we do now. We have evolved individually and as a group we have managed to become world champions."

Hermoso's words about football as a form of escapism echo her recent statements thanking the support of "thousands of players" during a testing personal situation. She will try to put that controversy behind her and do the talking on the pitch - as she did on Friday - when Spain come up against France in the Nations League final on Wednesday.