Spain national under-21 football team
| Nickname(s) | La Rojita (The Little Red One) La Furia Roja (the red fury) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Association | Royal Spanish Football Federation (Real Federación Española de Fútbol – RFEF) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Confederation | UEFA (Europe) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Captain | Beñat Turrientes | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Most caps | Gerard Deulofeu (36) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top scorer | Gerard Deulofeu (17) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FIFA code | ESP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| First international | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Yugoslavia 4–1 (Zagreb, Yugoslavia; 9 October 1976) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Biggest win | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14–0 San Marino (El Ejido, Spain; 8 February 2005) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Biggest defeat | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Netherlands 5–0 (Utrecht, Netherlands; 16 February 1983) Records for competitive matches only. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UEFA U-21 Championship | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Appearances | 17 (first in 1982) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Best result | Winners (1986, 1998, 2011, 2013, 2019) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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The Spain national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Spain and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation. The team, nicknamed La Rojita (The Little Red),[1] competes in the biennial UEFA European Under-21 Championship.
Following the realignment of UEFA's youth competitions in 1976, the Spain under-21 team was formed. Spain has a strong record (competition winners five times and runners-up twice); having consecutively won the 2011 and 2013 Championships. They hold the joint record with Italy for the most wins of the competition.
Since the under-21 competition rules insist that players must be 21 or under at the start of a two-year competition, technically it is an U-23 competition. For this reason, Spain's brief record in the preceding U-23 competitions is also shown, though in actuality, Spain played only three competitive U-23 matches. The first was in the "under-23 Challenge", which they lost, while the next two were in a two-team qualification "group" for the 1972 competition (facing the Soviet Union team, they lost 2–1 at home then drew 1–1 away and failed to qualify. Spain did not enter a team in the other two U-23 competitions, but have been ever present in under-21 competitions).
Spain's youth development programs has been challenging the South American dominance in the FIFA U-17 World Championship and the FIFA U-20 World Cup. In fact, 20 of the Spanish 23-man squad that won the Euro 2008 came through the ranks of the youth teams; most of them had won titles at the youth level as well.
Competitive record
| Year | Round | GP | W | D* | L | GS | GA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Qualifying Stage | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 8 |
| 1980 | Qualifying Stage | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| 1982 | Quarter-finals | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 5 |
| 1984 | Runners-up | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 11 | 11 |
| 1986 | Champions | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 18 | 9 |
| 1988 | Quarter-finals | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 4 |
| 1990 | Quarter-finals | 6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 4 |
| 1992 | Qualifying Stage | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 5 |
| 1994 | Third Place | 12 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 21 | 9 |
| 1996 | Runners-up | 14 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 34 | 14 |
| 1998 | Champions | 11 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 6 |
| 2000 | Third Place | 14 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 31 | 7 |
| 2002 | Qualification Playoffs | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 9 |
| 2004 | Qualification Playoffs | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 17 | 5 |
| 2006 | Qualifying Stage | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 37 | 8 |
| 2007 | Qualification Playoffs | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 4 |
| 2009 | Group Stage | 13 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 27 | 7 |
| 2011 | Champions | 15 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 31 | 8 |
| 2013 | Champions | 15 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 47 | 5 |
| 2015 | Qualification Playoffs | 10 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 25 | 8 |
| 2017 | Runners-up | 15 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 43 | 12 |
| 2019 | Champions | 15 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 45 | 16 |
| 2021 | Semifinals | 15 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 27 | 3 |
| 2023 | Runners-up | 13 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 50 | 10 |
| 2025 | Quarter-finals | 14 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 35 | 12 |
| Total | 17/25 | 252 | 181 | 36 | 35 | 537 | 181 |
*Denotes draws including knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.
- Gold background color indicates first-place finish. Silver background color indicates second-place finish. Bronze background color indicates third-place finish.
- Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.
Individual awards
Spanish players have won individual awards at UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship.
| Year | Golden Player | Golden Boot |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Manolo Sanchís | |
| 1998 | Francesc Arnau | |
| 2011 | Juan Mata | Adrián |
| 2013 | Thiago | Álvaro Morata |
| 2017 | Dani Ceballos | Saúl |
| 2019 | Fabián Ruiz |
Player records
Top appearances
| Rank | Player | Club(s) | Year(s) | U-21 Caps |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gerard Deulofeu | Barcelona, Everton, Sevilla, Milan | 2012–2017 | 36 |
| 2 | Borja Mayoral | Real Madrid, VfL Wolfsburg, Levante | 2015–2019 | 31 |
| Jorge Meré | Sporting Gijón, FC Köln | 2015–2019 | 31 | |
| Iker Muniain | Athletic Bilbao | 2011–2014 | 31 | |
| 5 | Dani Ceballos | Betis, Real Madrid | 2015–2019 | 29 |
| Beñat Turrientes | Real Sociedad | 2021–2025 | 29 | |
| 7 | Santi Denia | Albacete, Atlético Madrid | 1992–1996 | 27 |
| David de Gea | Atlético Madrid, Manchester United | 2009–2013 | 27 | |
| Abel Ruiz | Barcelona, Sporting Braga | 2019–2023 | 27 | |
| 10 | Diego Capel | Sevilla | 2007–2011 | 25 |
| Mikel Oyarzabal | Real Sociedad | 2017–2019 | 25 | |
| Saúl | Atlético Madrid, Rayo Vallecano | 2013–2017 | 25 | |
| Xavi | Barcelona | 1998–2001 | 25 |
Note: Club(s) represents all the clubs that players played in at the time they did it too in the Under-21s.
Top goalscorers
| Rank | Player | Club(s) | Year(s) | U-21 Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gerard Deulofeu | Barcelona, Everton, Sevilla, Milan | 2012–2017 | 17 |
| 2 | Borja Mayoral | Real Madrid, VfL Wolfsburg, Levante | 2015–2019 | 16 |
| 3 | Rodrigo | Benfica | 2011–2013 | 15 |
| 4 | Isco | Málaga, Real Madrid | 2011–2014 | 14 |
| 5 | Álvaro Morata | Real Madrid, Juventus | 2013–2014 | 13 |
| Abel Ruiz | Barcelona, Sporting Braga | 2019–2023 | 13 | |
| 7 | Óscar | Barcelona, Albacete | 1992–1996 | 12 |
| 8 | Munir | Barcelona | 2014–2016 | 10 |
| 9 | Pablo Couñago | Celta, Recreativo, Ipswich Town | 1999–2001 | 9 |
| Adrián | Deportivo, Alavés, Málaga, Atlético Madrid | 2007–2011 | 9 | |
| Saúl | Atlético Madrid, Rayo Vallecano | 2013–2017 | 9 |
Note: Club(s) represents all the clubs that players played in at the time they did it too in the Under-21s.
- Caps and goals correct as of 21 June 2025.
Recent results
Forthcoming fixtures
| Date | Competition | Location | Opponent |
|---|
2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Group phase
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 5 | +23 | 28 | Final tournament | — | 1–0 | 1–0 | 2–0 | 4–3 | 6–0 | ||
| 2 | Belgium | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 13 | 6 | +7 | 19 | Play-offs | 1–1 | — | 0–2 | 0–1 | 1–0 | 3–1 | |
| 3 | Scotland | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 19 | 11 | +8 | 16[a] | 1–2 | 0–2 | — | 3–1 | 4–1 | 2–1 | ||
| 4 | Hungary | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 8 | +4 | 16[a] | 0–1 | 0–1 | 0–0 | — | 2–0 | 2–1 | ||
| 5 | Kazakhstan | 10 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 13 | 24 | −11 | 9 | 0–4 | 0–3 | 3–2 | 0–3 | — | 4–1 | ||
| 6 | Malta | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 4 | 35 | −31 | 0 | 0–6 | 0–2 | 0–5 | 0–3 | 0–2 | — |
Players
Current squad
The following players were named in the squad for the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, to be played June 2025.
Caps and goals as of 21 June 2025, after the match against England.
| No. | Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GK | Alejandro Iturbe | 2 September 2003 | 12 | 0 | Atlético Madrid |
| 13 | GK | Aitor Fraga | 12 March 2003 | 2 | 0 | Real Sociedad |
| 23 | GK | Pablo Cuñat | 28 April 2002 | 8 | 0 | Levante |
| 2 | DF | Marc Pubill | 20 June 2003 | 9 | 1 | Almeria |
| 3 | DF | Cristhian Mosquera | 27 June 2004 | 11 | 0 | Valencia |
| 4 | DF | Rafa Marín | 19 May 2002 | 12 | 0 | Villareal |
| 5 | DF | César Tárrega | 26 February 2002 | 7 | 2 | Valencia |
| 12 | DF | Andrés García | 7 February 2003 | 3 | 0 | Aston Villa |
| 15 | DF | Juanma Herzog | 13 May 2004 | 4 | 0 | Las Palmas |
| 16 | DF | Juanlu Sánchez | 15 August 2003 | 13 | 0 | Sevilla |
| 18 | DF | Gerard Martín | 26 February 2002 | 3 | 0 | Barcelona |
| 22 | DF | Hugo Bueno | 18 September 2002 | 8 | 0 | Wolves |
| 6 | MF | Javi Guerra | 13 May 2003 | 21 | 2 | Valencia |
| 8 | MF | Beñat Turrientes (captain) | 31 January 2002 | 29 | 5 | Real Sociedad |
| 10 | MF | Pablo Torre | 3 April 2003 | 21 | 2 | Barcelona |
| 14 | MF | Mikel Jauregizar | 13 November 2003 | 8 | 1 | Athletic Bilbao |
| 20 | MF | Alberto Moleiro | 30 September 2003 | 14 | 0 | Villareal |
| 21 | MF | Pablo Marín | 3 July 2003 | 2 | 0 | Real Sociedad |
| 7 | FW | Diego López | 13 May 2002 | 19 | 2 | Valencia |
| 9 | FW | Mateo Joseph | 19 October 2003 | 13 | 8 | Leeds United |
| 11 | FW | Raúl Moro | 5 December 2002 | 12 | 0 | Valladolid |
| 17 | FW | Jesús Rodríguez | 21 November 2005 | 6 | 1 | Como |
| 19 | FW | Roberto Fernández | 3 July 2002 | 6 | 2 | Espanyol |
Recent call-ups
The following players have been called up within the last twelve months are still eligible for selection.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club | Latest call-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Fran González | 24 June 2005 | 0 | 0 | Real Madrid Castilla | v. Denmark, 19 November 2024 |
| DF | Álex Valle | 25 April 2004 | 2 | 0 | Como | v. Germany, 25 March 2025 |
| DF | Dean Huijsen | 14 April 2005 | 7 | 1 | Real Madrid | v. Czech Republic, 21 March 2025 |
| DF | Pau Cubarsí | 22 January 2007 | 2 | 0 | Barcelona | v. England, 15 November 2024 |
| MF | Stefan Bajčetić | 22 October 2004 | 5 | 0 | Liverpool | v. Germany, 25 March 2025 |
| FW | Eliezer Mayenda | 5 May 2005 | 2 | 0 | Sunderland | v. EURO U-21 pre-list, 4 June 2025 |
| FW | Matias Fernandez-Pardo | 3 February 2005 | 0 | 0 | Lille | v. EURO U-21 pre-list, 4 June 2025 |
| FW | Iker Bravo | 13 January 2005 | 2 | 0 | Udinese | v. Denmark, 19 November 2024 |
| FW | Samu Aghehowa | 5 May 2004 | 11 | 6 | Porto | v. Malta, 15 October 2024 |
Honours
Titles
Former squads
- 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship squads – Spain
- 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship squads – Spain
- 2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship squads – Spain
- 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship squads – Spain
- 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Championship squads – Spain
- 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship squads – Spain
- 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Championship squads – Spain
- 2000 UEFA European Under-21 Championship squads – Spain
- 1998 UEFA European Under-21 Championship squads – Spain
- 1996 UEFA European Under-21 Championship squads – Spain
- 1994 UEFA European Under-21 Championship squads – Spain
See also
- Spain national football team
- Spain national under-23 football team
- Spain national under-20 football team
- Spain national under-19 football team
- Spain national under-18 football team
- Spain national under-17 football team
- Spain national under-16 football team
- Spain national under-15 football team
- Spain national youth football team
Notes
References
- ^ "La sub 21 regresa al lugar donde nació el 'tiqui-taca'" [The under-21 team returns to the birthplace of tiki-taka] (in Spanish). Marca. 9 June 2011.