Millions around the world saw the victorious photo of Spain’s 29-year-old soccer star, Olga Carmona, celebrating with her jersey in her teeth after she scored the winning (and only!) goal in the World Cup Finals against Australia Sunday. Carmona was dedicating her victory to the mother of her best friend, who had recently passed away. Her name was on the shirt. She also mentioned her friend’s late mom in her post-game interview, explaining why she had shown the words written on her compression top beneath her jersey.
After the game, Olga Carmona explains she lifted her shirt after scoring in honor of the mother of her best friend who recently passed away ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Wm3XQMaAK6
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 20, 2023
Unbeknownst to Carmona at the time, however, she had her own loss to deal with—in a strange twist of fate, her father Tomas Carmona Mena had just passed away. The star would not be told until after the match, which is surely the way her family wanted it. The Royal Spanish Federation announced the death just hours after the team’s victory, saying:
“REF deeply regrets to report the death of Olga Carmona’s father. The soccer player learned the sad news after the World Cup final,” the statement said. “We send our most sincere hugs to Olga and her family in a moment of deep pain. We love you, Olga, you are the history of Spanish football.”
Carmona herself later tweeted in Spanish to honor her father, showing a photo of herself kissing her World Cup medal. Translated, the tweet reads, “And without knowing it, I had my Star before the game started. I know that you have given me the strength to achieve something unique. I know that you have been watching me tonight and that you are proud of me. Rest in peace dad”.
Y sin saberlo tenía mi Estrella antes de que empezase el partido. Sé que me has dado la fuerza para conseguir algo único. Sé que me has estado viendo esta noche y que estás orgulloso de mí. Descansa en paz, papá 🌟❤️🩹 pic.twitter.com/Uby0mteZQ3
— Olga Carmona (@7olgacarmona) August 20, 2023
At the time, no cause of death was given for her father, but the Daily Mail later reported that Tomas Carmona Mena died after a long battle with cancer. On her flight home from the World Cup in Australia, Olga Carmona tweeted again, in Spanish, processing the many emotions she was going through. Translated, she says, “I have no words to thank all your love. Yesterday was the best and the worst day of my life. I know that you would like to see me enjoy this historic moment, that is why I will be with my colleagues, so that from wherever you are you know that this star is also yours, dad.”
Carmona’s twitter mentions are full of loving and supportive messages from fans and colleagues. The soccer star, who also scored the only goal in her team’s semi-final match earlier in the week, will surely have one of the most emotionally complicated weeks of her life. Love and prayers to the Carmona family as they grieve their profound loss, and as they celebrate Olga’s amazing achievement.
