by Tim Leberecht
I’m writing this from Madrid, where I felt elated after Spain’s World Cup triumph. What made it so special was that it wasn’t so much a triumph as a quiet accomplishment. Not merely a win, but a restoration of everything that had felt lost: ethics, humility, quality—the beautiful game.
In the end, Spain rose above it all: the smallness of big egos, the cynicism of teams like Argentina that didn’t come to play, the absurd 30-minute halftime show and hydration breaks, the commerce, the ugly politics.
On the pitch, Spain’s men’s and women’s teams are now the reigning World Cup champions. Two of the game’s most influential coaches—Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique—are Spanish. And the Spanish football philosophy, rooted in FC Barcelona’s DNA—technically masterful, tactically disciplined, built on possession and fluid combinations, with the HOW mattering as much as the result—has become the standard.
Even more impressive than the football itself, however, was the sportsmanship, the class, and the no-star-is-bigger-than-the-team spirit of the Spanish side. Those qualities will inspire millions, especially young people. Spain’s light is shining brightly for all of us.
Some exemplary moments:
⚽Lamine Yamal sacrificed individual glory for his team, tirelessly covering space instead of showcasing his otherworldly dribbling.
⚽In a TV interview with Spanish women’s team star Aitana Bonmatí, midfielder and newly crowned Golden Ball winner Rodri—instead of basking in the spotlight—praised her achievements and said, “I’m trying to replicate her, if I can get to her level.”
⚽Striker Borja Iglesias refused to play for Spain under the former federation president who forcibly kissed 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup winner Jenni Hermoso. Seeing the two embrace on the pitch after the semifinal was moving.
⚽Left-back Marc Cucurella openly speaks about his son’s autism and uses his platform to promote understanding and better resources.
As always with football—“the most important unimportant thing in life”—what happens on and off the pitch signifies something larger: the country’s new (pop)cultural capital; its liberal politics; its progressive immigration policy; its leadership in renewable energy; a prime minister who refuses to cave to Trump and has spoken out about Gaza; and a people who are proud and passionate without being nationalistic.
Make no mistake: Spain has plenty of challenges, from housing to skyrocketing youth unemployment. But the joy is back, and the country is clearly having a moment—perhaps one that could become an era.
At the World Cup, Spain was not the only simpático nation. Norway, Cape Verde, and others—both underdogs and footballing powers like France that refused to behave like overlords and were good losers—deserve honorary mentions.
But Spain takes the crown for reminding us that playing beautifully is still the right thing to do—in business, politics, and life.
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