17 Soccer In Spain Facts: This Will Really Blow Your Mind!
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Soccer is not only Spain's national sport, it's also the most popular sport as well.
Spanish children can be seen in the street every day as they play football. The game has become a major part of their life.
Spanish football has gifted us a number of world-class clubs that have achieved great heights in the international stages as well. Spanish teams have not won one silver medal or two at the international level, but the men's national soccer team has also brought home the coveted golden World Cup.
The women's team is also one of the best around the world. This spectator sport attracts thousands of people to the stadiums every weekend. They even have established indoor football teams for futsal.
FIFA Rankings: Soccer In Spain
Soccer in Spain is not only a sport or their most popular sport; it's more like a religion.
If there was a time when people would go to church on Sundays, it has now changed to staying at home and watching Spanish football every weekend. It becomes beneficial for any sports team of a country when people of the country are extremely in love with that sport.
It shows exactly why the Spain men's national soccer team worst ranking, according to the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, has only ever been 25.
- According to FIFA, the best ranking of the Spanish national men's soccer team till 2021 has been one from 2008 to 2013. Their worst ranking till 2021 was 25 back in 1998, and the average ranking of the team has been six.
- Even for the women's team, the lowest ranking has been 21.
- The men's team won their first major international trophy, the European Nations' Cup, in 1964. They reached the quarters, semis, and finals after that quite a few times, but it took them 44 years to win another major international trophy.
- This Spanish team started having a brilliant run of success from 2008 by winning the UEFA Euro Cup and then winning the World Cup in 2010.
- Since 2008, they stayed on FIFA's first rank till 2013.
- The women's team, on the other hand, are working their way up and are at their highest ranking of 10 as of 2021.
- Even if they still haven't won a World Cup, they have reached quarter-finals and semi-finals in international competitions.
Team Records: Soccer In Spain
The few clubs from Spain's national football league, La Liga, have made their marks in world football. These Spanish clubs are FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Athletic Bilbao, and more. Moreover, they also have dominated football in Europe for quite a long time as well.
- Real Madrid is one of the two football teams of the country that have dominated not only Spanish football but also European football as a whole.
- Real Madrid has won 34 out of a total of 89 La Liga titles.
- They have also won a total of 13 Champions League titles, and it's also the only club ever to win three consecutive Champions League titles.
- Real Madrid is also the only club ever to win five back-to-back European Cups.
- FC Barcelona is the other of Spain's two most dominating soccer clubs. They have won an astonishing total of 26 La Liga titles and five Champions League titles. They are also the only club in history to win the treble twice by winning La Liga, Champions League, and Copa Del Rey in a single season.
- Other major clubs are also making their history in Spanish football. For example, Sevilla is the only club in Europe ever to win six UEFA Europa League titles.
Player Records: Soccer In Spain
Many of the greatest players, like Diego Maradona, Ronaldinho Gaucho, Lionel Messi, and more from the world around have played in Spanish clubs. Spain themselves have produced a style of beautiful football through their players.
- Players like Iker Casillas, David Villa, Sergio Ramos, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, and more have graced Spain's national soccer team, and they have made it one of the best teams in the world. Most of the iconic players have played in the top clubs of Spain. A form of play, tiki-taka, where players of a team possess the ball more and pass more to achieve their target of optimum goals scored in a game, won Spain a World Cup.
- Women's teams and players of Spain are some of the best in the world. Spain looked into forming a women's team way before many others around the world. That's why they have some of the best players on their team, like Nahikari Garcia, Marta Torrejon, Sandra Panos, Alexia Putellas, Veronica Boquete, Irene Paredes, and more. Alexia Putellas recently won the award for the best women's football player from France Football.
History: Soccer In Spain
Spanish players and culture have been a part of soccer long before the Spanish national team was formed. Since then, it took them quite some time to achieve an award internationally.
- Spain's men's national team was formed in 1920, and the women's national team started competing in international stages from the year 1980. They have gained many nicknames over the years from supporters - La Furia Roja, which translates to the Red Fury, and La Roja, which translates to the Red One. The first team of Spain, Recreativo de Huelva, was established in 1889. Some other clubs formed at this early age were CE Europa, Sevilla, Athletic Bilbao, Racing Santander, FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and more.
- The fans play a big role in Spanish football. The stadium of FC Barcelona, Camp Nou, is the biggest stadium in Spain and Europe with the ability to hold 99,354 people. The second-largest stadium of Spain and sixth in Europe is Santiago Bernabeu, the home to Real Madrid with the ability to hold 81,044 people. On average, 50,000-60,000 people attend the men's El Clasico match at the stadium. El Clasico not only attracts the local people at the stadiums, but this Spanish soccer game is also considered one of the largest rivalries in football, and millions of people around the world tune in to watch them. The Spanish men's national team World Cup won in 2010 has brought more Supporters from around the world.
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Bachelor of Arts specializing in Linguistics
Martha MartinsBachelor of Arts specializing in Linguistics
Martha is a full-time creative writer, content strategist, and aspiring screenwriter who communicates complex thoughts and ideas effectively. She has completed her Bachelor's in Linguistics from Nasarawa State University. As an enthusiast of public relations and communication, Martha is well-prepared to substantially impact your organization as your next content writer and strategist. Her dedication to her craft and commitment to delivering high-quality work enables her to create compelling content that resonates with audiences.
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