Spain is ruling over World Football and it’s not even close. The Spanish U23 side beat France U23 in the final of the Paris Olympics to win their first Gold Medal at the Olympics since Barcelona 1992. Lately, the Spanish sides have been dominating each and every tournament they take part in. Their win against France at the Parc des Princes was the Spanish side’s 7th Major Tournament win in under 15 months!
Ever since June 2023, Spanish teams have not looked back once. If you count Spanish club teams, this number jumps up to 10 Major Tournaments. Barca Femeni has won back-to-back Champions Leagues in 2023 and 2024. Real Madrid won their 15 UCL this year beating Dortmund in the Final. The Men’s national side won the UEFA Nations League in 2023, followed by the Euros and the Olympics in 2024. The Women’s National side won the Nations League followed by the FIFA World Cup in 2023. That’s not all though, their youth teams made sure they replicated the main team’s successes. The U-19 Men’s team clinched the Euros title this year, replicating the success of their female counterparts who achieved the same feat last year.
So what makes the Spanish sides so dominant in a tournament? Let’s look at some reasons as to why Spain is so good.
Youth System in Spain
Spain’s youth system is one of the finest in the world. FC Barcelona, Valencia, Real Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, and Las Palmas, amongst many other Spanish clubs, have world-class academies through which many talented players are produced every year. For example, the Starting 11 that took the field against France last night featured 7 total players from La Masia, FC Barcelona’s academy. From a very young age, kids are brought up in these football academies. They live, eat, and breathe football. And the results are easily visible when it’s time to show up on the pitch.
Style of Play
The ideals of Tiki-Taka, Possesion Play, and pressing high are ingrained in each and every Spanish player. Irrespective of the head coach, level of competition, opponent’s tactics, or any other variables, one will always be able to identify this peculiar style of possession football in Spain’s game. This trust that the Spanish have in their way of playing makes them an unbeatable force on the pitch. On the other hand, a team like England, who were used to playing counter-attacking football, suddenly adopted a different style of playing under Southgate.
Football Heritage
This era isn’t the first time Spanish teams have been dominating world Football. The national side did it from 2008-2012, and their Clubs, especially Real Madrid and Barcelona have been doing it for a long long time now. While being a serial winner in the past doesn’t guarantee you win Tournaments in the present, it surely puts in you the belief required to win important games. This winning habit of Spain, their Football Heritage, is also a big part of their successes in recent times.
