Spain captain Olga Carmona, who scored the goal for her country in the Women’s World Cup final, was informed after the match that her father had passed away.
Reuters reports that the Real Madrid left-back’s father had been suffering from a prolonged illness and passed away on Friday.
“I know you’ve been watching over me tonight and you’re proud of me. Rest in peace, Dad,” Carmona said wrote on social media.
Carmona included a photo of herself accepting the winners’ medal along with the message.
She added, “And without knowing it, I had my star before the game even started. I know you gave me the strength to achieve something unique.”
A gold star is added to the jersey of the World Cup winners, above the national team’s crest, each time they win a trophy.
“The Spanish Football Federation deeply regrets to announce the death of Olga Carmona’s father,” the RFEF wrote on social media.
The footballer learned the sad news after the World Cup final.
“We send our sincere hugs to Olga and her family in a moment of deep sadness. We love you Olga, you are the history of Spanish football.”
Carmona has featured in five of Spain’s seven World Cup matches.
Spanish media outlet Relevo said Her family and friends decided not to tell her so she could focus on the final, with her mother and siblings arriving in Australia on Saturday to support her.
Her club, Real Madrid, also expressed its “condolences and affection to Olga, her relatives and all her loved ones.”
