Spain National Under-21 Football Team

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), competes in the biennial UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

Spain U-21
Nickname(s)La Rojita (The Little Red One)
La Furia Roja
(the red fury)
AssociationRoyal Spanish Football Federation
(Real Federación Española de Fútbol – RFEF)
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachSanti Denia
CaptainBryan Gil
Most capsGerard Deulofeu (36)
Top scorerGerard Deulofeu (17)
FIFA codeESP
Spain National Under-21 Football Team
Spain National Under-21 Football Team
Spain National Under-21 Football Team
Spain National Under-21 Football Team
Spain National Under-21 Football Team
Spain National Under-21 Football Team
Spain National Under-21 Football Team
Spain National Under-21 Football Team
Spain National Under-21 Football Team
First colours
Spain National Under-21 Football Team
Spain National Under-21 Football Team
Spain National Under-21 Football Team
Spain National Under-21 Football Team
Spain National Under-21 Football Team
Spain National Under-21 Football Team
Spain National Under-21 Football Team
Spain National Under-21 Football Team
Spain National Under-21 Football Team
Second colours
First international
Spain National Under-21 Football Team Yugoslavia 4–1 Spain Spain National Under-21 Football Team
(Zagreb, Yugoslavia; 9 October 1976)
Biggest win
Spain National Under-21 Football Team Spain 14–0 San Marino Spain National Under-21 Football Team
(El Ejido, Spain; 8 February 2005)
Biggest defeat
Spain National Under-21 Football Team Netherlands 5–0 Spain Spain National Under-21 Football Team
(Utrecht, Netherlands; 16 February 1983)
Records for competitive matches only.
UEFA U-21 Championship
Appearances16 (first in 1982)
Best resultWinners (1986, 1998, 2011, 2013, 2019)
Spain National Under-21 Football Team
The 2011 winning team

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

UEFA European Under-21 Championship 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
Spain National Under-21 Football Team  1994 Third Place 12 9 2 1 21 9
Spain National Under-21 Football Team  1996 Runners-up 14 10 3 1 34 14
Spain National Under-21 Football Team  1998 Champions 11 10 1 0 21 6
Spain National Under-21 Football Team  2000 Third Place 14 11 3 0 31 7
Spain National Under-21 Football Team  2002 Qualification Playoffs 10 6 1 3 15 9
Spain National Under-21 Football Team  2004 Qualification Playoffs 10 6 2 2 17 5
Spain National Under-21 Football Team  2006 Qualifying Stage 10 6 2 2 37 8
Spain National Under-21 Football Team  2007 Qualification Playoffs 4 2 1 1 8 4
Spain National Under-21 Football Team  2009 Group Stage 13 10 1 2 27 7
Spain National Under-21 Football Team  2011 Champions 15 12 2 1 31 8
Spain National Under-21 Football Team  2013 Champions 15 14 1 0 47 5
Spain National Under-21 Football Team  2015 Qualification Playoffs 10 7 2 1 25 8
Spain National Under-21 Football Team  2017 Runners-up 15 11 2 2 43 12
Spain National Under-21 Football Team  2019 Champions 15 13 0 2 45 16
Spain National Under-21 Football Team Spain National Under-21 Football Team  2021 Semifinals 15 12 2 1 27 3
Spain National Under-21 Football Team Spain National Under-21 Football Team  2023 Runners-up 13 12 1 1 50 10
Spain National Under-21 Football Team  2025 To be determined
Total 15/23 238 170 34 34 502 169

*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
Spain National Under-21 Football Team  1986 Manolo Sanchís
Spain National Under-21 Football Team  1998 Francesc Arnau
Spain National Under-21 Football Team  2011 Juan Mata Adrián
Spain National Under-21 Football Team  2013 Thiago Álvaro Morata
Spain National Under-21 Football Team  2017 Dani Ceballos Saúl
Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Spain National Under-21 Football Team  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
6 Santi Denia Albacete, Atlético Madrid 1992–1996 27
  David de Gea Atlético Madrid, Manchester United 2009–2013 27
8 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
6 Óscar Barcelona, Albacete 1992–1996 12
7 Munir Barcelona 2014–2016 10
8 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 3 September 2020.

Recent results

Date Competition Location Opponent Result Scorers
3 September 2021 2023 UEFA U-21 qualification Almendralejo, Spain Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Russia 4–1 Fer Niño Spain National Under-21 Football Team  13', 54', Pino Spain National Under-21 Football Team  47', 86'
7 September 2021 2023 UEFA U-21 qualification Vilnius, Lithuania Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Lithuania 2–0 Francés Spain National Under-21 Football Team  32', Pino Spain National Under-21 Football Team  78'
8 October 2021 2023 UEFA U-21 qualification Seville, Spain Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Slovakia 3–2 Guillamón Spain National Under-21 Football Team  58', Sergio Gómez Spain National Under-21 Football Team  80' (pen.), Miranda Spain National Under-21 Football Team  88' (pen.)
12 October 2021 2023 UEFA U-21 qualification Seville, Spain Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Northern Ireland 3–0 Sergio Gómez Spain National Under-21 Football Team  26' (pen.), 32', Abel Ruiz Spain National Under-21 Football Team  56'
12 November 2021 2023 UEFA U-21 qualification Ta' Qali, Malta Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Malta 5–0 Sergio Gómez Spain National Under-21 Football Team  23', Abel Ruiz Spain National Under-21 Football Team  24', 88', Guillamón Spain National Under-21 Football Team  40', Lobete Spain National Under-21 Football Team  50'
16 November 2021 2023 UEFA U-21 qualification Khimki, Russia Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Russia 0–1
25 March 2022 2023 UEFA U-21 qualification Huelva, Spain Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Lithuania 8–0 Rodri Spain National Under-21 Football Team  16', 37', Sergio Gómez Spain National Under-21 Football Team  35', Bryan Gil Spain National Under-21 Football Team  40', Abel Ruiz Spain National Under-21 Football Team  43', Manu Sánchez Spain National Under-21 Football Team  61', Baena Spain National Under-21 Football Team  65', Turrientes Spain National Under-21 Football Team  70'
29 March 2022 2023 UEFA U-21 qualification Žilina, Slovakia Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Slovakia 3–2 Bryan Gil Spain National Under-21 Football Team  4', Sergio Gómez Spain National Under-21 Football Team  66', Navarro Spain National Under-21 Football Team  81'
3 June 2022 2023 UEFA U-21 qualification Larne, Northern Ireland Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Northern Ireland 6–0 Ruiz Spain National Under-21 Football Team  22', Gil Spain National Under-21 Football Team  50', 61', Miranda Spain National Under-21 Football Team  64', Riquelme Spain National Under-21 Football Team  76', V. Gómez Spain National Under-21 Football Team  87'
7 June 2022 2023 UEFA U-21 qualification Melilla, Spain Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Malta 7–1 Navarro Spain National Under-21 Football Team  8', 69', Ruiz 8Spain National Under-21 Football Team  47', 64', Manu Sánchez Spain National Under-21 Football Team  55', Lobete Spain National Under-21 Football Team  73', 78'
23 September 2022 Friendly Cluj-Napoca, Romania Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Romania 4–1 Ruiz Spain National Under-21 Football Team  8', 18', Riquelme Spain National Under-21 Football Team  80', 89'
27 September 2022 Friendly Huesca, Spain Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Norway 3–0 Gragera Spain National Under-21 Football Team  40', Ruiz Spain National Under-21 Football Team  51', Novoa Spain National Under-21 Football Team  90'
18 November 2022 Friendly Seville, Spain Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Japan 2–0 Turrientes Spain National Under-21 Football Team  47', Manu Sánchez Spain National Under-21 Football Team  69'
21 June 2023 2023 UEFA U-21 Bucharest, Romania Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Romania 3–0 Baena Spain National Under-21 Football Team  55', Miranda Spain National Under-21 Football Team  62', Sergio Gómez Spain National Under-21 Football Team  90+5'
24 June 2023 2023 UEFA U-21 Giulești, Romania Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Croatia 1–0 Abel Ruiz Spain National Under-21 Football Team  1'
27 June 2023 2023 UEFA U-21 Giulești, Romania Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Ukraine 2–2 Ivan Zhelizko Spain National Under-21 Football Team  49' (o.g.), Abel Ruiz Spain National Under-21 Football Team  90'
1 July 2023 2023 UEFA U-21 Giulești, Romania Spain National Under-21 Football Team   Switzerland 2–1 Sergio Gómez Spain National Under-21 Football Team  68', Miranda Spain National Under-21 Football Team  103'
5 July 2023 2023 UEFA U-21 Bucharest, Romania Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Ukraine 5–1 Ruiz Spain National Under-21 Football Team  17', Sancet Spain National Under-21 Football Team  24', Blanco Spain National Under-21 Football Team  54', Aimar Oroz Spain National Under-21 Football Team  68', Sergio Gómez Spain National Under-21 Football Team  78'
8 July 2023 2023 UEFA U-21 Batumi, Georgia Spain National Under-21 Football Team  England 0–1
8 September 2023 2025 UEFA U-21 qualification Paola, Malta Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Malta 6–0 Diego López Spain National Under-21 Football Team  5', Gabri Veiga Spain National Under-21 Football Team  14', 18', Ilias Spain National Under-21 Football Team  49', Pablo Torre Spain National Under-21 Football Team  70', Turrientes Spain National Under-21 Football Team  88'
11 September 2023 2025 UEFA U-21 qualification Jaén, Spain Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Scotland 1–0 Turrientes Spain National Under-21 Football Team  83'
13 October 2023 Friendly Tashkent, Uzbekistan Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Uzbekistan 0–0
17 October 2023 2025 UEFA U-21 qualification Astana, Kazakhstan Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Kazakhstan 4–0 Fermín López Spain National Under-21 Football Team  11', Diego López Spain National Under-21 Football Team  54', Fran Pérez Spain National Under-21 Football Team  56', Omorodion Spain National Under-21 Football Team  90'
17 November 2023 2025 UEFA U-21 qualification Huelva, Spain Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Hungary 2–0 Carlos Martín Spain National Under-21 Football Team  36', Pablo Torre Spain National Under-21 Football Team  67'
21 November 2023 2025 UEFA U-21 qualification Leuven, Belgium Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Belgium 1–1 Omorodion Spain National Under-21 Football Team  66'
21 March 2024 Friendly Jerez, Spain Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Slovakia 0–2
26 March 2024 2025 UEFA U-21 qualification Almería, Spain Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Belgium 1–0 Joseph Spain National Under-21 Football Team  88'

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 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Spain National Under-21 Football Team 
1 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Spain 6 5 1 0 15 1 +14 16 Final tournament 1–0 1–0 2–0 10 Oct '24 15 Oct '24
2 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Scotland 6 4 1 1 11 4 +7 13 Play-offs 6 Sep '24 11 Oct '24 3–1 4–1 2–1
3 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Belgium 7 4 1 2 8 5 +3 13 1–1 0–2 15 Oct '24 1–0 3–1
4 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Hungary 7 3 1 3 9 6 +3 10 10 Sep '24 0–0 0–1 2–0 10 Oct '24
5 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Kazakhstan (Y) 6 1 0 5 3 14 −11 3 0–4 15 Oct '24 10 Sep '24 0–3 5 Sep '24
6 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Malta (E) 6 0 0 6 2 18 −16 0 0–6 10 Sep '24 0–2 0–3 0–2
Updated to match(es) played on 26 March 2024. Source: UEFA
Rules for classification: Tiebreakers
(E) Eliminated; (Y) Cannot qualify directly, but may still qualify through play-offs

Players

Current squad

The following players were called up for a friendly against Slovakia and a 2025 UEFA U-21 qualification match against Belgium.

Caps and goals as of 26 March 2024, after the match against Belgium.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
23 1GK Pablo Cuñat (2002-04-28) 28 April 2002 (age 22) 5 0 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Amorebieta
1 1GK Alejandro Iturbe (2003-09-02) 2 September 2003 (age 20) 3 0 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Atlético Madrid
13 1GK Álvaro Aceves (2003-07-26) 26 July 2003 (age 20) 2 0 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Eldense

5 2DF Alejandro Francés (2002-08-01) 1 August 2002 (age 21) 17 1 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Zaragoza
2 2DF Hugo Novoa (2003-01-24) 24 January 2003 (age 21) 12 1 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Villarreal
4 2DF Rafa Marín (2002-05-19) 19 May 2002 (age 21) 7 0 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Alavés
15 2DF Álvaro Carreras (2003-03-23) 23 March 2003 (age 21) 7 0 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Benfica
14 2DF Dean Huijsen (2005-04-14) 14 April 2005 (age 19) 2 0 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Roma
19 2DF Javi López (2002-03-25) 25 March 2002 (age 22) 1 0 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Alavés
3 2DF Cristhian Mosquera (2004-06-27) 27 June 2004 (age 19) 2 0 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Valencia
18 2DF Marc Pubill (2003-06-20) 20 June 2003 (age 20) 2 0 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Almería

8 3MF Beñat Turrientes (captain) (2002-01-31) 31 January 2002 (age 22) 19 4 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Real Sociedad
16 3MF Pablo Torre (2003-04-03) 3 April 2003 (age 21) 9 2 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Girona
17 3MF Pablo Barrios (2003-06-15) 15 June 2003 (age 20) 8 0 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Atlético Madrid
6 3MF Javi Guerra (2003-05-13) 13 May 2003 (age 20) 8 0 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Valencia
10 3MF Fermín López (2003-05-11) 11 May 2003 (age 20) 6 1 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Barcelona
22 3MF Unai Gómez (2003-05-25) 25 May 2003 (age 20) 1 0 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Athletic Bilbao

7 4FW Diego López (2002-05-13) 13 May 2002 (age 21) 8 2 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Valencia
20 4FW Samu Omorodion (2004-05-05) 5 May 2004 (age 19) 7 2 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Alavés
21 4FW Fran Pérez (2002-09-09) 9 September 2002 (age 21) 7 1 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Valencia
11 4FW Robert Navarro (2002-04-12) 12 April 2002 (age 22) 6 3 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Cádiz
12 4FW Alberto Moleiro (2003-09-30) 30 September 2003 (age 20) 4 0 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Las Palmas
9 4FW Mateo Joseph (2003-10-19) 19 October 2003 (age 20) 2 1 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Leeds United

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

DF Arnau Martínez (2003-04-25) 25 April 2003 (age 21) 12 0 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Girona v. Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Belgium, 21 November 2023
DF David Torres (2003-03-05) 5 March 2003 (age 21) 1 0 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Valladolid v. Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Belgium, 21 November 2023
DF Juanlu Sánchez (2003-08-15) 15 August 2003 (age 20) 1 0 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Sevilla v. Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Belgium, 21 November 2023
DF Hugo Bueno (2002-09-18) 18 September 2002 (age 21) 1 0 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Wolverhampton Wanderers v. Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Scotland, 11 September 2023
DF Álvaro Carrillo (2002-04-06) 6 April 2002 (age 22) 0 0 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Real Madrid v. Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Scotland, 11 September 2023

MF Nico González (2002-01-03) 3 January 2002 (age 22) 9 0 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Porto v. Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Slovakia, 21 March 2024
MF Gabri Veiga (2002-05-27) 27 May 2002 (age 21) 13 2 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Al-Ahli v. Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Belgium, 21 November 2023
MF Iker Muñoz (2002-11-05) 5 November 2002 (age 21) 2 0 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Osasuna v. Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Kazakhstan, 17 October 2023
MF Stefan Bajčetić (2004-10-22) 22 October 2004 (age 19) 1 0 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Liverpool v. Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Scotland, 11 September 2023

FW Carlos Martín (2002-04-22) 22 April 2002 (age 22) 4 1 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Mirandés v. Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Belgium, 21 November 2023
FW Assane Diao (2005-09-07) 7 September 2005 (age 18) 4 0 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Betis v. Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Belgium, 21 November 2023
FW Iván Azón (2002-12-24) 24 December 2002 (age 21) 2 0 Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Real Zaragoza v. Spain National Under-21 Football Team  Scotland, 11 September 2023

Honours

Titles

Former squads

See also

Notes

References

Tags:

Spain National Under-21 Football Team Competitive recordSpain National Under-21 Football Team Individual awardsSpain National Under-21 Football Team Player recordsSpain National Under-21 Football Team Recent resultsSpain National Under-21 Football Team Forthcoming fixturesSpain National Under-21 Football Team 2025 UEFA European Under-21 ChampionshipSpain National Under-21 Football Team PlayersSpain National Under-21 Football Team HonoursSpain National Under-21 Football Team Former squadsSpain National Under-21 Football TeamAssociation footballRoyal Spanish Football FederationSpainUEFA European Under-21 Championship

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