Spain have been the standout team to watch at Euro 2024, with 17-year-old Lamine Yamal showcasing his exceptional talent as they have marched into the final.
Lamine Yamal's skills, and that of his teammates like Dani Olmo and Rodri, have captured plenty of attention, with the Spanish style of play seeing them win many admirers throughout the tournament.
But La Roja have also had fans talking about the jersey they have been wearing. Spain recently unveiled an eye-catching new addition to their shirt, and it is not the first time that national teams have modified their kit.
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What is the badge in the middle of Spain national team's jersey?
Eagle-eyed supporters have noticed that Spain's kit now has a badge in the middle of the shirt.
The badge celebrates their victory in the UEFA Nations League, a tournament they won after defeating Croatia 5-4 on penalties in June 2023. Although the badge was revealed later than expected, it now takes center stage on their kit, and has been featured prominently throughout their Euro 2024 campaign.
The logo features a unique design, and is the third iteration of a badge to celebrate the winners of the UEFA Nations League. The badge is silver with navy and yellow, matching Spain's kit.
Positioned in the middle of the jersey, it sits between the adidas logo and the national team crest. Interestingly, there is also a special version of the badge for the goalkeeper's kit, which is monochrome black and silver to blend with their outfit.
The badge is not available for purchase yet, making it a special and exclusive mark of honor for the team.
How did Spain win the UEFA Nations League?
Spain won the UEFA Nations League title for the first time after a stunning 5-4 penalty shootout victory over Croatia in the 2023 final, with nothing separating the teams after a 0-0 tie in Rotterdam that lasted 120 minutes.
Spain's journey in the UEFA Nations League 2022/23 was marked by resilience and strategic gameplay. Under the guidance of Luis de la Fuente, who adopted a pragmatic approach to harness individual strengths, Spain navigated a challenging path.
The group stage saw Spain draw with Portugal (1-1) and Czechia (2-2), followed by a victory over Switzerland (1-0). They continued their momentum with a win against Czechia (2-0) but faced a setback with a defeat to Switzerland (2-1). However, they bounced back by defeating Portugal (1-0) to secure their spot in the finals.
In the semifinals on June 15, 2023, Spain edged past Italy with a 2-1 victory. The final against Croatia on June 18 ended in a goalless draw after extra time, but Spain triumphed 5-4 in the penalty shootout to clinch the title.
The Nations League is organized by UEFA, the same body that oversees the Euros. Therefore, Spain's kit at Euro 2024 proudly features the Nations League emblem with the inscription "Champions 2023."
The inclusion of winners' badges is a tradition not just limited to UEFA competitions. FIFA also awards a champions' badge to winners of international tournaments, including the Club World Cup. These badges are a mark of distinction and celebrate the team's success on the global stage.
World Cup winners also note their victory with a star above their national team logo, just as Argentina did after winning Qatar 2022.