Spain's golden century as men and women reign and clubs dominate Europe | OneFootball

Sunday in New York, Luis de la Fuente’s men won the World Cup, polishing Spain’s 21st century golden age. Spain are the first nation to hold the men’s and women’s world titles at once, and the first men’s side reigning world, European and Olympic champions.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, since 2000 Spain’s teams, clubs and players have claimed three World Cups, three Euros, 15 Champions Leagues and six Ballons d’Or. Before 2000 there was one Euro in 1964, nine European Cups and one Ballon d’Or for Luis Suárez in 1960.

The men have won two of the last five World Cups, 2010 and 2026, and three of the last five Euros, 2008, 2012 and 2024. That is half of the 10 majors they entered, with no other nation managing two world titles this century.

Spain lead the Euros table with four overall, including three this century. The women, world champions in 2023, were beaten by England on penalties in last year’s continental final.

In the men’s Champions League, Barcelona have won five and Real Madrid six. Spanish sides have been near flawless in finals, and in the Europa League they own 12 of 26, losing only one final to a foreign club.

Spain also lead Ballons d’Or this century, with three for Aitana Bonmatí, two for Alexia Putellas and Rodrigo Hernández in 2024. Santi Denia cites investment, academies and coach education as foundations for 18 men’s and 16 women’s youth titles, with Spain’s tally at 67 to Germany’s 46.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo