Spain reigns in remarkable year of soccer achievement

From the Champions League to the Olympics, via a commanding Euro 2024, Spain was the truly dominant force in club and international soccer this year, and put the individual cherry on the cake with Rodri winning the Ballon d'Or.

A few weeks after Real Madrid claimed a record-extending 15th Champions League title by beating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Wembley in June, an imperious Spain steamrollered all before it to triumph in the European Championship.

Even during the magnificent years when Spain dominated international soccer, winning the 2008 and 2012 Euros and the 2010 World Cup, it did not quite manage a similar level of success on the club scene, although it came close with Pep Guardiola's Barcelona winning the Champions League in 2009 and 2011.

Somehow none of that golden generation, which included Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Ramos and Xabi Alonso, among other greats, managed to win the Ballon d'Or — awarded to the best player in the world — repeatedly being eclipsed by the battle between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the coveted award.

Although Real Madrid continued to fly the flag in the Champions League, a return to similar success at national level seemed a long way away for many years.

Following a disappointing 2022 World Cup under Luis Enrique, Spain opted for the low-profile Luis de la Fuente as his replacement, a virtually unknown figure who was working in the Spanish Football Federation's grassroots system for over a decade.

The idea was to go back to the seeds which were planted years ago, when De la Fuente had worked with so many youngsters who developed into top players starring all over Europe.

He knew them better than anyone, and they knew exactly what he wanted. Under his calm guidance, the man once mocked as Luis "de la Who", led Spain to a record fourth Euros title with an impeccable campaign in Germany, winning all of its games.

Their standout players, Manchester City midfielder Rodri and Barca teenager Lamine Yamal, claimed the awards for best player and breakthrough player both at the tournament, and for the season, respectively winning the Ballon d'Or and Kopa Award.

The younger generation also showed that the future looks bright as, following a heartbreaking defeat in the final at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Spain claimed gold at Paris 2024 in August.

With the 2026 World Cup in North America under two years away, Spain will enter 2025 with the best national team, best player and best young player in the world.

At club level, Real Madrid's major signing Kylian Mbappe might have started slowly in the Spanish capital, as the reigning champion struggles in Europe, but few would bet against Real being in the mix again come the knockout stage.

REUTERS