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National Team

A party to celebrate an unforgettable title

The WiZink Center embraces the Nations League champions with loads of affection, and a special tribute to Sergio Rico
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Tue, 20/06/2023 - 10:17

The Spanish National Team entered the WiZink Center accompanied by an enthusiastic crowd, reliving the triumph against Croatia and the initial celebrations of the title through two giant screens. Journalists Ana Ibáñez and Saúl Ramos introduced the different members of the team, starting with the manager, Luis De la Fuente.

The manager apologized "for our hoarse voices" and wanted to give way to the "true protagonists," the players who took the stage one by one, according to their jersey numbers.

Thus, in this order, Kepa, Carvajal, Le Normand, Nacho, Zubimendi, Mikel Merino, Fabián Ruiz, Gavi, Asensio, Canales, Ansu Fati, David Raya, Laporte, Yéremy, Rodrigo, Fran García, Rodrigo Moreno, Joselu, Dani Olmo, Jesús Navas, Unai Simón, and finally, as captains, Jordi Alba and Álvaro Morata. The last two presented the trophy to the fans, making Spain the most decorated national team in the continent.

Music and Chanted Messages

Each player entered to the rhythm of an identifying song, sometimes with a touch of irony. From the "Freed From Desire" that identifies Rodrigo in Manchester, to songs with a more mischievous tone, like the one that accompanied Ansu Fati. All of them were chanted and danced by an enthusiastic crowd that applauded even the anecdotal gestures, such as when Laporte went to the pedestal where the trophy was resting to position it correctly for the attending audience. The name of Sergio Rico was also chanted when Jordi Alba expressed the team's joy at the improvement of their goalkeeper.

Alba wanted to thank the previous coach of the national team, Luis Enrique, and the former captain, Sergio Busquets, for the work they had done, which laid the foundation for the current success in the Nations League.

Jesús Navas highlighted the eagerness "after so much time" to celebrate a title with Spain again, and Rodrigo spoke about "a young group with great enthusiasm that today lays the first stone on what we hope will be a beautiful journey." Thus, with their different messages, tones, and motivations, all the players took turns at the microphone, even Gavi, who was playfully disrupted by his teammates whenever he started speaking.

A collection of unforgettable moments, as in every celebration of victory. And this celebration, which had been awaited for too long, now has one more night to be remembered by the Spanish fans.