Euro 2024: Reason Behind Spain Players Not Singing the National Anthem Before Games

• Three-time European champions, Spain, whitewashed Croatia 3-0 in their opening game of the Euro 2024 in Berlin
• But none of the Spanish players were spotted singing along to their national anthem before the game on Saturday afternoon
• Goals from captain Alvaro Morata, Fabian Ruiz and Dani Carvajal were enough to hand the 2010 World Champions win over Croatia

Players of the Spanish national team chose not to sing the national anthem before their Euro 2024 opener against Croatia in Berlin.

Ahead of the Group B match at the Olympiastadion, the anthems of both nations were played, but none of the Spanish players sang 'La Marcha Real'.

This sparked curiosity among fans on social media.

Composed by Manuel de Espinosa de los Monteros in 1771, La Marcha Real is one of the few national anthems in the world that lacks lyrics, similar to those of San Marino, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Croatia beat Portugal in Euro 2024 warm-up friendly

Football

Anthems lyrics were removed

It did have lyrics during the dictatorship of General Franco between 1938 and 1973, but these were removed after his regime dissociated from his rule.

Attempts to reintroduce lyrics, such as the Spanish Olympic Committee's proposal to include "Viva Espana," have been rejected due to the phrase's association with Franco.

While some fans sing unofficial lyrics, players from regions like Catalonia, the Basque Country, and Tenerife typically remain silent.

Spain, three-time winners of the competition, are in Group B with Croatia, Italy, and Albania.

In their first match, Luis de la Fuente's team secured a 3-0 win with goals from captain Alvaro Morata, Fabian Ruiz, and Dani Carvajal, whilst Lamine Yamal made history on his father's birthday.

Lamine Yamal makes Euro 2024 history

Barcelona youngster Lamine Yamal was named in Spain's starting lineup for their Group B opening match against Croatia at the 2024 European Championships.

At 16 years and 338 days old, Sports Brief reported that Yamal is now the youngest player to feature at a European Championship, surpassing the record held by Polish international Kacper Kozlowski, who played at Euro 2020 at 17 years and 246 days old.