Spain’s unprecedented soccer synergy. Plus: Entering uncharted territory with Netflix
World Champions
Spain makes history with World Cup double
The rain in Spain doesn’t stay mainly in the plain; it covers the world.
After yesterday’s 1-0 win over Argentina in the men’s World Cup final, Spain’s men’s and women’s teams are now reigning World Cup champions — the first country to pull off that feat.
After the men’s team’s captain, Rodri, collected his winners’ medal and the Golden Ball for being the best player at the tournament, the midfielder made his way over to another Spanish legend, Aitana Bonmatí.
The three-time Ballon d’Or holder and fellow World Cup winner told Rodri in a televised post-match interview that he was a “fundamental pillar of the team.” Rodri responded with a compliment of his own, saying he was just “trying to replicate” her achievements and “get to her level.”
And it’s not just the biggest trophies; Spain’s recent dominance is mind-blowingly comprehensive:
Spain raised the bar with this latest achievement, as Tamerra Griffin writes:
“A footballing nation should be judged by the development and success of its men’s and women’s teams.”
Spain has a national identity when it comes to its soccer — one that, in the last decade, has expanded to its women’s program.
But like the U.S. women, Spain’s women’s team has had to be at the forefront of demanding change, whether it was ousting longtime head coach Ignacio Quereda in 2015 or protesting the federation ahead of the 2023 World Cup, when 15 players refused to take the field until conditions improved.
And even after they reached the pinnacle of the sport, the federation ruined the celebrations when former president Luis Rubiales forcibly kissed forward Jenni Hermoso and was later found guilty of sexually assaulting the player. He was eventually removed from the federation along with then-head coach Jorge Vilda.
The Spanish domestic and international programs only recently started to take women’s soccer seriously and have relatively quickly found success. Now that the men’s and women’s teams are connected in victory, there’s a hopeful future, and it’s hard to see anyone stopping the country in 2027. (Though we did look, and DraftKings currently has the U.S. as slight favorites over La Roja.)
Shoutout to Borja Iglesias
It’s clear there is a certain synergy between Spain’s teams, but collaboration is easier when times are good. Winning matters.
Before Spain’s current men’s success, one member of the team took a stance that could have jeopardized his career — and easily made Sunday’s trophy lift a distant dream.
Shortly after Rubiales assaulted Hermoso on the world stage in 2023, then-Real Betis striker Borja Iglesias boycotted the national team, refusing to play until the disgraced federation president was removed.
The 33-year-old has frequently stood up for causes he believes in and faced backlash in doing so. Though he didn’t feature on the field for Spain this tournament, Iglesias was very much part of the team and will take home a winner’s medal.
Iglesias and Hermoso — who worked as a pundit at this tournament — had a full-circle moment when they shared an emotional hug after last week’s semifinal.
Women’s teams have often had to drive change while also competing to win, but it’s important to spotlight allies helping shoulder some of that weight.