The Silent Squad: Why Spain’s National Anthem is Sing-Song-less
Spain’s red-hot streak at Euro 2024 has seen them dominate the tournament, and a win away from lifting the coveted trophy. As they gear up for their crunch clash against England, one intriguing aspect has caught the eye – the lack of singing to their national anthem before matches.
La Marcha Real, the Spanish national anthem, is a peculiar beast. Unlike most national anthems, it doesn’t have any lyrics – a peculiarity that stems from its composition in 1771. But there’s more to it than just silence. In fact, Spain’s anthem has a troubled past, having had lyrics added by General Franco during his dictatorship (1938-1973). Those lyrics were eventually removed to dissociate the anthem from Franco’s dark legacy.
As Spain prepares to take on England, the team’s manager Luis de la Fuente acknowledges the intensity of the game. "It’s one of the biggest sporting achievements there is. We are relaxed and looking forward to playing." With both teams battling for the top spot, it’s no surprise that de la Fuente highlights the importance of being precise and minimizing mistakes.
Interestingly, there have been efforts to add lyrics to La Marcha Real in the past. The Spanish Olympic Committee attempted to do so, even proposing the phrase "Viva España" (Long Live Spain). However, these attempts were met with resistance due to the term’s association with Franco. It seems that the Spanish Football Federation prefers to keep their anthem wordless, for now.
This lack of singing may seem insignificant, but it speaks volumes about the complexities surrounding Spain’s national identity. The team’s decision to remain silent underscores the importance of respecting their past and avoiding any controversy that could be perceived as condoning Franco’s actions.
As Spain takes on England, will they emerge victorious? Tune in to find out. Make sure to follow us on all social media platforms for more updates on the world of football.