Spain did not dominate soccer on the world stage through luck. Fernando Llorente says the team built its success on chemistry at the club level, which led to several one-sided results.
Llorente, a member of Spain’s 2010 FIFA World Cup and 2012 European Championship-winning squads, spent years in the Spanish system. Spain’s golden generation revolutionized the tiki-taka, a possession based style of play. The quick passes and constant movement often frustrated opponents, resulting in mistakes that led to goals.
As a result, the Spanish national team enjoyed sustained success, winning three consecutive major tournaments. Spain won the 2008 European Championship, 2010 FIFA World Cup, and the 2012 European Championship with squads that featured a heavy Barcelona influence.
Fernando Llorente Credits FC Barcelona for Spain’s Success
GettyDURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA – JULY 07: Carles Puyol of Spain celebrates scoring his side’s first goal with team mates during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Semi Final match between Germany and Spain at Durban Stadium on July 7, 2010 in Durban, South Africa. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Fernando Llorente also credited FC Barcelona for Spain’s success on the world stage. Tiki-taka was a style of play adopted and perfected by Barcelona under Pep Guardiola and later carried over to the national team.
The Spanish national team featured legendary players including Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol, and Gerard Pique. All were familiar with the system, having played for Barcelona.
With Spain’s core group made up largely of Barcelona players, the style of play allowed others to adapt quickly. The chemistry developed at the club level gave them the edge over other nations.
“First of all, we were lucky enough to have an incredible generation of footballers. We were also lucky that at that time, we had so many players from FC Barcelona. When seven of the the starting 11 are from Barcelona, it’s like having a ready-made team, which is the hard part with a national team. You have very little time to train,” Llorente exclusively told Heavy Sports via Hajper.
He continued:
“The rest of us who joined that great Barcelona core knew how to adapt well to them. A lot was already done, many set pieces and moves were already known by heart from Barcelona,” he said. “So that took a lot of work off the national team coach. That was a huge advantage.”
Llorente Reveals How National Teams Can Develop Their Own Effective Style
Llorente also revealed how other national teams can develop their own unique and effective style of play. It requires hard work, commitment, and a strong managerial structure.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup winner noted that youth development is crucial for sustained success. Llorente said building strong habits and foundational skills at a young age is what Barcelona have become known for. By following their blueprint, he believes other nations can succeed.
“Copy a bit of what Barcelona are doing. La Masia is a factory for producing players who have been playing this way since they were very small, so when they reach the first team they are prepared,” Llorente exclusively told Heavy Sports via Hajper. “It requires a lot of work because it’s a very delicate style. Players out from the back and touching the ball a lot, nowadays most goals comes from mistakes when building out from the back.”
He added: “You need players of enormous quality and players who don’t get nervous when the opposition presses man-to-man high up.”
Exclusive: World Cup Winner Fernando Llorente Reveals What Made Spain So Dominant