No one would have placed them in the top eleven players of the Eurocup on June 14. Perhaps only Rodri could have made it. A good performance could have been expected from the rest of the Spanish footballers, but not that they would come out of Germany as stars. And even less all at once. One of the keys to Spain's success is precisely a synchronized big bang of talents that have been sharing the MVP award in the seven tournament matches.
Some, like Lamine Yamal at 16 years old, have been absolutely unexpected. Also Marc Cucurella, despite his years of experience. From others, a step forward to become stars and jump into the market with a label with many zeros was expected. This is the case of Nico Williams, Dani Olmo, or Fabián Ruiz. The three have played an indisputable role in their clubs, but have amazed the continent wearing the red shirt. In fact, the future of the Navarrese and the Catalan is yet to be defined, as everything points to them changing clubs.
They have all given their best performance at the right moment and in a showcase that, instead of weighing them down, has propelled them. This has happened with veterans like Laporte, questioned since his move to Saudi Arabia, Carvajal, tireless, or Nacho. All three have improved in this championship. Also Rodri, if that was even possible.
The best midfielder in the world, in the words of Pep Guardiola, had not yet had his moment with Spain. Eclipsed by Sergio Busquets, he saw how he was converted to a central defender in the Qatar World Cup because no one doubted that he had to be in the starting eleven. The problem was where. Luis de la Fuente has been clear from the beginning: a fundamental axis in the midfield. The result is that we have seen the best Rodri and the rumor has started about whether he should be the Ballon d'Or.
Alongside him, another player who has gone from good to outstanding. Fabián has catalyzed the game, scored goals, and been a more essential figure than in his good moments at Napoli or this season, despite being a regular under Luis Enrique. With Spain, he has become undetectable to opponents, leaving images like dribbling past three Germans with a single move. His future lies in PSG, a certainty that Dani Olmo does not have.
The tournament's Golden Boot winner with three goals - a prize shared with Harry Kane and four other hat-trick scorers - will not continue at Leipzig. His brilliant championship, where he started as a substitute, scoring decisive goals and even saving them on the goal line, has made his release clause, set until June 30 at 60 million, considered very market-appropriate. His agent, former international player Juanma López, was seen on Sunday in the stands in Berlin already contemplating the future. It could be Bayern, Barça, or even City, but Olmo will leave his current team.
Another player who will also have to define his future is Nico Williams. The Athletic Club president, Jon Uriarte, did not like being asked about Barcelona and the possibility of continuing alongside Lamine, but his prominence in the market seems inevitable. His season at San Mamés, with the Copa del Rey, has been brilliant, although he has only shone in the elite during the Eurocup.
The same has happened to Cucurella, who will be looked at differently at Chelsea. He came to this Eurocup due to the injuries of Alejandro Balde and José Luis Gayà, finding the spotlight after years at Getafe and a brief stint at Brighton. Lamine had less flight hours. His talent was spotted by Xavi Hernández and turned him into an undisputed starter, like De la Fuente. This explains why his father sought out the coach during the celebrations to embrace him. At Barcelona, Lamine helped, but in the national team, he has become a decisive threat. And his potential seems limitless. He is the diamond on which Hansi Flick will try to build.
There are more supporting actors who have played an essential role and both share a team. Mikel Oyarzabal has acted as a substitute for Morata in a position in which Imanol Alguacil trained him, leading him to score a historic goal. His commitment as captain of Real Sociedad will keep him at the club, something that is doubtful to happen with Robin Le Normand and even Mikel Merino, another player who left his mark with the historic goal in extra time against Germany. The performance has been so perfect that no one has missed their moment of glory.