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After several decades spent in the shadows, Spain have burst into life in recent years as a legitimate superpower in the Euros and the World Cup. With Euro 2020 only a few days away, some of Europe's biggest teams have begun their preparations for the summer and the Spanish Armada is no exception.
The 20th century saw La Furia Roja flatter to deceive on several occasions and produce only one European trophy in 1964. Spain also reached the final in 1984 with an impressive squad but were brushed aside by a France outfit inspired by an in-form Michel Platini.
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Spain's golden era dominated the Euros in 2008 and 2012
Under Luis Aragones and Vincente del Bosque, Spain transformed from the quintessential 'almost-there's of European sport to an original gold standard in their own right. With Barcelona reinventing the way the game was perceived and Real Madrid unearthing the occasional homegrown gem, Spain derived from the success of their league to create one of the best teams in history.
Spain ended their international drought with a new brand of football in 2008 and announced themselves as Europe's new powerhouse. After a magnificent World Cup campaign in 2010, La Furia Roja went on to create history in Euro 2012 with yet another string of glorious performances.
The Iberian giants' fortunes may have dwindled in recent years but Luis Enrique has managed to steady the ship by relying on a mix of youth and experience. With Spain going into Euro 2020 with a sense of purpose, we take a look at the greatest eleven to have represented La Furia Roja in the competition.
Goalkeeper - Iker Casillas
Spain's captains have always been figures of inspiration and leadership but none can match the poise and charisma of Iker Casillas. The Real Madrid shot-stopper was the captain of the best Spanish team in history and led the side admirably under Vicente del Bosque.
Casillas was a behemoth between the sticks for Spain and was arguably the best goalkeeper in the world for a period of time. The Los Blancos captain kept the Spanish squad united for several years and often brought the best out of his teammates.
Iker Casillas forged powerful bonds with the likes of Carles Puyol and Xavi and the senior statesmen led Spain as an indomitable coalition. The Real Madrid legend was an immensely talented goalkeeper and spared Spain's blushes on a number of occasions at Euro 2008 and Euro 2012.
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Left-Back - Jordi Alba
Jordi Alba has come a long way for both Spain and Barcelona. The Blaugrana left-back might not be the best defender Spain has ever produced but his breakthrough performances at Euro 2012 certainly etched his name into the country's footballing folklore.
In his typically explosive style, Jordi Alba carved a niche for himself in the Euro 2012 final and scored an exhilarating goal in Spain's 4-0 victory. The left-back, who was one of the fastest players in the tournament at the time, tore across the pitch at a breakneck pace to latch on to Xavi's pass and finish one of Spain's most memorable counter-attacks.
While Jordi Alba has had his fair share of critics this season, Spain will look to him yet again this year to guide them to glory as a senior member of the squad. Alba made the world take note of his talent in this competition nine years ago and has a point to prove yet again this summer.
Centre-Back - Gerard Pique
Gerard Pique might not be a fan favourite in the country but his contributions to Spain on the pitch speak for themselves. The Barcelona centre-back has participated in most of La Furia Roja's extraordinary successes over the past decade and has become one of the most decorated defenders in Spain's history.
Pique was yet to make his mark with Barcelona as Spain dominated Euro 2008 but was an integral member of the side in the 2012 edition of the competition. Alongside friend and rival Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique emerged as one of the leaders of the dressing room as Spain defended their European crown with astonishing ease.
Spain conceded only one goal at Euro 2012 and after a shaky start to the competition, Gerard Pique grew into his own. The Barcelona defender was an important part of Spain's golden era and has the silverware to show for it.
Centre-Back - Carles Puyol
In a team full of technicians and prodigious wizards, Carles Puyol was the warrior who completed Spain's jigsaw puzzle. The Barcelona legend earned a reputation for putting his body on the line over the course of an illustrious career and wore his heart on his sleeve at Euro 2008.
Alongside Iker Casillas and Xavi, Carles Puyol was one of the most senior members of the Spanish team under Luis Aragones and played a key role in uniting a squad that could have succumbed to diverse club loyalties. Puyol was also a vocal leader on the pitch and demanded the best from his talented teammates.
Puyol was in his prime in 2008 and his tenacity and courage paved the way for Spain's success. The former Barcelona captain missed Euro 2012 through injury but remains one of the best defenders Spain has ever produced.
Right-Back - Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos has enjoyed an illustrious career with both Real Madrid and Spain and has effectively become a national hero with his performances in the Euros and the World Cup. The Los Blancos central defender started his national career as a right-back under Luis Aragones and went on to ooze class and poise at Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.
Ramos was only 22 years of age as Spain looked to end their misery on the international stage in 2008. The Real Madrid legend's swashbuckling style of play and attacking fervour on the right flank was a sight to behold during his early years and made facing Spain a dangerous proposition.
The Spanish defender transitioned into a centre-back over the years and excelled in his new role at the heart of La Furia Roja's defence. Ramos is one of the most decorated players on the international stage and has enjoyed an illustrious career.
Defensive Midfield - Xabi Alonso
On account of his slightly more impressive trophy cabinet with Spain, Xabi Alonso has managed to narrowly edge former midfield partner and Barcelona veteran Sergio Busquets to a place in this eleven. Alonso was a part of one of the best midfields in football's recorded history and gave Spain some of their most memorable moments.
Xabi Alonso's first major international tournament with Spain was Euro 2004. The 23-year-old midfielder played only one game in the competition and could only watch from the sidelines as La Furia Roja were eliminated from the group stage. In 2008 and 2012, however, the former Liverpool man brought his full array of talents to the fore and became a fixture in Spain's midfield.
Alonso's characteristic long passes became a feature of Spain's possession-based play and his shared understanding with the likes of Xavi and Iniesta made the team's midfield virtually indomitable. Xabi Alonso went on to enjoy a legendary club career and also became a legend in his own right with the national team.
Central Midfield - Xavi
Xavi Hernandez is arguably one of the most gifted midfielders the world of football has ever produced. The Barcelona legend reserved some of his most imperious displays for the Spanish national team and was the driving force behind his side's success in both 2008 and 2012.
Xavi assisted Fernando Torres' all-important goal against Germany in the Euro 2008 final and went one step further against Italy in 2012. The Barcelona maestro dominated the Azzurri's formidable midfield and carved their defence on numerous occasions to become the only player to bag assists in two separate Euro finals.
The Barcelona midfielder is one of Spain's all-time greats and his technical abilities served as the foundation upon which La Furia Roja built its domination. Xavi Hernandez changed the way his national team played football and remains one of the most talented players in Spain's footballing history.
Central Midfield - Andres Iniesta
Andres Iniesta's debut for Spain's senior team in 2006 will likely be remembered in history as the moment that brought about a permanent transformation in the national team's fortunes. The prodigious midfielder's achievements over the past decade have made him a national hero and have produced ovations from stadiums across the country.
The Barcelona midfielder was an important member of Spain's midfield in Euro 2008 and came into his own alongside Xavi. In Euro 2012, Andres Iniesta was the facilitator of Spain's novel 4-6-0 formation and his advanced role produced extraordinary results in the final third.
Iniesta was virtually unstoppable at Euro 2012 and was one of the best players in a team that hit its peak in the competition. The World Cup legend was the talisman of Spain's golden era and will go down in history as one of their most special players.
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Attacking Midfield - Luis Suarez
Before Spain went on their relatively recent European conquests, the late 1960s saw the first generation of La Furia Roja's inimitable trailblazers. With prolific goalscorers Jesus Maria Pereda and Marcelino leading their line, Spain dominated the competition and lifted their first European trophy in 1964.
The tournament also saw a certain Inter Milan visionary attain his peak with the national team. Luis Suarez had already enjoyed an impressive club career with Barcelona and the Nerazzurri and outshone his illustrious team-mates with some sensational performances.
Luis Suarez was part of the 'Grande Inter' side at the time and had found a new lease of life as an attacking midfielder under Helenio Herrera. The Ballon d'Or winner played a similar role for his national team and was instrumental to their first major international trophy.
Striker - David Villa
One of only seven players in Euro history to have scored a hat-trick in the tournament, Spain legend David Villa is arguably the greatest striker in Spanish football history. The former Barcelona man took the competition by storm in 2008 and finished as the leading goalscorer despite playing two games less than most of the other big names at the time.
Spain's unique tactical set-up needed a specific goalscoring profile in the final third and David Villa fit the bill perfectly. The Spanish striker made history by scoring a sensational hat-trick against Russia and was humble enough to share the credit with his team-mate and partner-in-crime, Fernando Torres.
"I had just scored a hat-trick and I knew people would be talking about me, but I wanted them to see that I had benefited from Torres' work, just as he sometimes benefits from mine."
Due to an unfortunate injury, David Villa was unable to participate in the final against Germany but his impressive goalscoring prowess and link-up play at Euro 2008 earmarked the beginning of a glorious era for Spain. Villa ended his career as Spain's all-time leading goalscorer and is a bonafide Spanish legend.
Striker - Fernando Torres
Fernando Torres might not have fulfilled his full potential with Spain or with the clubs he represented but La Furia Roja is unlikely to hold it against him. El Nino's exploits in his younger days and his stellar record in the Euros more than makes up for his lack of longevity with the national team.
Torres made the Euros his favourite hunting ground and formed a lethal partnership with fellow hitman David Villa in 2008. After wreaking havoc in the group stages, Fernando Torres went on to score in the final against Germany to give Spain their first major trophy since 1964.
Fernando Torres was having a tough time at Chelsea when he was included in the Euro 2012 squad. The Spanish striker spent much of the tournament on the sidelines but burst into life in typical fashion in the final with a brace to hand Spain yet another title.
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