SPAIN: Luis Enrique's young team shines without big stars

Sergio Gallardo Luis Enrique's young team shines without big stars Spain

[{"selector":"#anim-f1b5fbf0-3dfe-4538-87b2-9fc11955aba5 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-22.471590742049585%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"fill":"both"}] Spain don’t have the big names of a few years ago, when they won two Euros and a World Cup with players such as Xavi, Iniesta and Villa…

[{"selector":"#anim-167778ab-3ac7-4ab3-b6f3-9621403ea840 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(5.357142586251731%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"fill":"both"}] Sergio Busquets is the only current player with over 100 caps. Only Jordi Alba, with 87 Spain appearances, gets anywhere near him.

[{"selector":"#anim-9e4d90ff-79f9-4c4f-8d45-b1bc09b5b0c7 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-27.3863631957469%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"fill":"both"}] Most of the contenders in Qatar boast a major star in their ranks: Brazil have Neymar, Argentina have Lionel Messi, France have Kylian Mbappé…

[{"selector":"#anim-46f3ec2d-3d2d-44dc-8950-11cef7e17541 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.204545055301196%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"fill":"both"}] That’s not the case for Spain, who didn’t have a single player on the 30-man shortlist for the 2022 Ballon d’Or. Nevertheless, La Roja are among the World Cup favourites.

[{"selector":"#anim-d4c06953-f0f0-498f-bc7d-b65b398eafec [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-37.896455207119054%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"fill":"both"}] Despite their lack of stars, the Spanish have reached three straight semi-finals: one at Euro 2020, and two in the UEFA Nations League.

[{"selector":"#anim-5444c936-88e9-4274-8efc-0505570bb556 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0, 2.113110244541102%, 0)","translate3d(0, 0%, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"fill":"both"}] Spain may be short on 'galácticos' right now, but they have a number of hugely exciting youngsters coming through. The likes of Pedri, Gavi, Ansu Fati…

[{"selector":"#anim-3b1bb27d-5a92-492a-8940-f19b4fb57fc6 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["scale(0.9174311926605505)","scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"fill":"forwards"}] At the Ballon d’Or gala, Gavi scooped the Kopa Trophy ahead of Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham. A year earlier, Pedri won it.

[{"selector":"#anim-da49998a-2816-44bf-95ab-9692329b0d10 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-58.99794000925929%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":6000,"fill":"both"}] Luis Enrique has sought success by making Spain one big family. “I want us to be a team,” he says. La Roja have no egos, and have different weapons to other countries.

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