The highly anticipated FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 ended after a goal from Real Madrid Femenino player Olga Carmona helped secure Spain’s maiden World Cup over England in a highly contested one-goal final.
Soon after the final, Olga got to know that her father has passed away. According to Reuters, he was fighting a long battle with illness, which finally ended while his daughter was carving her name into one of the game’s greatest-ever moments.
After the final, Carmona said, “I think all of us, we felt that this team had something special,”. Her Spanish teammate Irene Paredes could understand the emotions Olga was going through, given the fact that her father had also, unfortunately, passed away a few days before the commencement of the World Cup.
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
Olga posted on social media, kissing the winner’s medal, saying, “I know you have been watching me tonight and that you are proud of me. Rest in peace Dad, And without knowing it, I had my star before the game started. I know you have given me the strength to achieve something unique.”
It was reported that though her family and friends knew of the news prior to the match, they decided not to inform Olga as it would throw her off the match, which in hindsight was the right thing to do as Spain went on to win with Olga’s goal, something her father would have wanted to see. The Spanish Football Association (RFEF), the Real Madrid women’s team, and millions of fans online paid their condolences to Olga and her family.
Carmona’s goal in the first half made Spain only the second country to win both the men’s and women’s World Cups after Germany.
The world reacts to Carmona’s father’s death with condolences and immense support
The news was first released by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), which said, “The RFEF deeply regrets to report the death of Olga Carmona’s father. The soccer player learned the sad news after the World Cup final. We send our most sincere hugs to Olga and her family in a moment of deep pain” They went on to add, “You are part of the history of Spanish soccer. We love you, Olga.”
The Real Madrid women’s team also posted, saying, “Real Madrid C. F., the president and the Board of Directors are deeply saddened by the passing of the father of our player Olga Carmona. Real Madrid would like to extend our condolences and heartfelt sympathy to Olga, her family and all her loved ones. May he rest in peace.”
The emotions didn’t end there as Olga celebrated after the goal with a red shirt saying, “Merci”, which is her paying homage to her best friend’s mother. Fans worldwide reacted to the news and paid their deepest condolences to the Spanish left back. Some comments on a post by Bleacher Report were very heartwarming. Here are some of them,
Man … She was probably set to celebrate with her dad, only to hear sad news 😭💔
— Marlton (@madman_Marlton) August 20, 2023
May his soul rest in peace. I’m sure he was proud of her
— Ezenwayi Camp Nou 💙♥️ (@Jiji_Byte) August 20, 2023
Poor girl, from the sky to the hell in just hours.
— Albertor (@SolAlbertor) August 21, 2023
Rip father saw her daughter score a world cup final goal, and I know where he is, his smiling down to you 🙏
— Kara (@UTDKara) August 20, 2023
She wouldn’t know how to feel right now, one minute she’s happy, the next she’s sad.
May God strengthen her 🙏
— Victor Babatunde (@vhic_tore) August 20, 2023
Needless to say, Carmona would trade the World Cup medal to spend a few more hours with her father, if that were an option.