Vamos España? Why this World Cup victory for Spain feels so different from the others |
Just past midnight, the cheers erupted from blocks of lit flats in my neighbourhood in central Madrid. Hours later, people of all generations were still out in the streets in the middle of another tropical night, and not only because it was warm, with temperatures hovering close to 30C. In the big pedestrianised square Plaza de Olavide, fans had gathered around screens, some sitting on the ground while children and dogs ran around. A girl played on the swings, her Spanish-flag cape fluttering as she swung back and forth.
Argentinian Lionel Messi jerseys were visible throughout the crowd. Many fans gathered also at a nearby Argentinian bar. Not too surprising when you consider there are more than 400,000 Argentinians living in Spain. Messi, whose life and career are embedded with Barcelona, is a football hero in Spain too.
It was the same across the city and throughout the country. Barcelona had one of the largest public gatherings, with more than 30,000 people watching on a giant screen installed by the city council. Catalonia is the home region of stars including the 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, the national side’s most promising player. There is as much regional variety in Spain’s team as there is in the country. Several come from the Basque Country, once only a reluctant supporter of the national team. One player, Aymeric Laporte, was born in France. Backgrounds are as diverse........