In the 21st century, Spain is undoubtedly the most successful team at international level. La Roja under the guidance of Luis Aragones and Vicente del Bosque brought home three major titles in a row: Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012. 12 years later, they once again triumphed in the famous arena. Best price in Europe.

To get to this moment, Spain had to spend a long time trying to find the next generation of Xavi, Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Gerard Pique, Sergio Ramos, Xabi Alonso. They struggled in tournaments from 2014 until 2022. When Sergio Busquets said goodbye to the team after playing in Qatar, many comments said that it would be very difficult for Spain to return to the throne of Spain. 1 major tournament.

However, Euro 2024 has proven the opposite. Spain flies high on the wings of Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal. One has only gradually shown himself in recent years, while the other only turned 17 one day before the finals.

In the midfield, Rodri and Fabian Ruiz bring stability and control to La Roja. Pedri’s injury opened up the opportunity for Dani Olmo to step into the light, with a goal to increase the score to 2-1 full of confidence against France in the semi-finals, as well as a situation where the ball was blocked on the goal line after a header from Marc Guehi in the final, preserving Spain’s victory until the last minute.

In defense, Marc Cucurella was honored as the best left back in the tournament.

Robin Le Normand and Aymeric Laporte are trusted choices for the two central defender positions, despite the fact that one has not yet made much of an impression at the international level, while the other has been away from top European football after retiring. already full of club titles.

So what is special about the group of players who contributed to La Roja’s Euro 2024 championship?

Most of the names mentioned above do not play for Barcelona and Real Madrid, two teams that have always been considered the main players for Spain in recent years.

How good is the Spanish team at Euro 2024?
Luis De La Fuente is not a coach with a reputation and an impressive CV before taking charge at La Roja after the 2022 World Cup.

In the previous 9 years, he only coached at the youth levels of the national team. Spain, with 3 marks: winning U19 Euro 2015, U21 Euro 2019 and silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

However, he is the one who has the ability to unite a Spanish team that is playing tiredly and lacking vitality in the 2022 World Cup to become a cohesive team and always knows how to finish off opponents with the diagram. favors 4-3-3 control.

Including the Euro 2024 final, he had 21 matches as captain of La Roja, with a record of 19 wins, 1 draw and 1 defeat.

Coach Luis De La Fuente’s faith in the wings of Nico Williams and Lamine Yamal at Euro 2024 was rewarded. Lamine Yamal had 4 assists in the entire tournament, along with a super goal against the French team in the semi-finals.

Nico Williams had 2 goals and 1 assist, including the opening goal in the final against Jordan Pickford.

In midfield, Rodri deserves to be considered the true successor of Sergio Busquets.

He affirmed that he can play well despite being away from Pep Guardiola’s perfect system at Man City, with the title of best player of Euro 2024. Fabian Ruiz brings balance to the midfield thanks to his versatility. power.

Pedri was injured, Dani Olmo suddenly became a hero in the last 3 matches, while Martin Zubimendi and Mikel Merino both left their own marks in this year’s tournament.

Before Euro 2024, the defense was considered La Roja’s weakest area. However, the steadfastness of Aymeric Laporte and Robin Le Normand has helped everyone reconsider their initial assessments.

Marc Cucurella also skipped a failed season with Chelsea to play impressively, while Dani Carvajal proved the qualities of a brave player in big matches.

As for De La Fuente, he clearly understands each of his students’ strengths and weaknesses, as well as always sees the qualities of the next generation of players thanks to his time working at the youth levels.

Spain no longer possesses a dominant generation of players like in 2008 and therefore, De La Fuente’s achievements can be considered more impressive than Vicente Del Bosque’s last year.

How many Barcelona and Real Madrid players play for Spain?
Throughout the period of world football domination from 2008 to 2012, Spain always played with a core team consisting of players playing for Real Madrid and especially Barcelona.

When David Silva scored the opening goal in the Euro 2012 final, he was also the only member of the 11 starting players not on the payroll of the two Spanish giants.

At Euro 2024, there are still players playing for Real Madrid and Barcelona, ​​but they are no longer the main team for La Roja in the summer in Germany.

In total, both teams only contributed 7 players to Spain, with Nacho, Joselu (Real Madrid), Fermin Lopez, Ferran Torres (Barcelona) mainly on the bench.

Among the three regular starters, Pedri retired from the quarterfinals due to injury, leaving only Dani Carvajal and Lamine Yamal as key members under Luis De La Fuente.

Looking back at the main core in the midfield in the final matches, Rodri (Man City), Fabian Ruiz (PSG) and Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig) come from 3 different leagues outside the Spanish border.

Mikel Merino and Mikel Oyarzabal, the heroes before Germany and England, are both Real Sociedad players, while Nico Williams is a Basque player belonging to Athletic Bilbao.

It can be seen that the mark of Barcelona and Real Madrid on the Spanish team is gradually no longer as deep as it was in the late 2000s and early 2010s. However, this does not mean that Spain is not worthy.

Worth comparing with previous generations. The players who have shined in Germany are all at a very young age and will gradually enter maturity in the near future.

Two years from now, when Argentina’s Lionel Messi is older, Brazil is trying to regain its position, Germany has lost Toni Kroos, England and France both have creativity problems, Spain will still be a strong candidate. signed for the 2026 World Cup championship.

Barcelona and Real Madrid are no longer the main players for Spain, but a completely new era of dominance for La Roja is on the road ahead.