‘Only done once’ – Real Madrid trio chasing unique achievement if Spain win the Euros

Later this evening, Spain take on England in the final of the European Championship. Dani Carvajal, Nacho Fernandez, and Joselu represent Los Blancos from the red corner, while Jude Bellingham is the club’s representative on the other side.

For the three Spaniards, however, the night presents a chance to seal their names in history and achieve a record that no Spanish player has ever achieved before – reaching the pinnacle of club and international football in the same season.

Real Madrid won the UEFA Champions League earlier this year with a thrilling win over Borussia Dortmund in the final. Should Carvajal, Nacho, and Joselu win the Euro tonight, they will be the only three Spanish players in history to achieve this feat.

Done only once before

It is incredible that no Spanish player has ever managed to taste victory in both the UCL and the Euros in the same year, especially considering that Spanish clubs have won the UCL 20 times and Spain the Euros thrice before.

What is more astounding, however, is the fact that it has been done only once before in the history of football.

Turning the clock back to 1988, Hans Van Breukelen, Ronald Koeman, Gerald Vanenburg, Berry Van Aerle, and Wim Kieft were the Champions League (formerly called the European Cup) winners with PSV and also won the Euros with the Netherlands.

If the condition is changed to include the FIFA World Cup as the international trophy in question, seven Bayern Munich players achieved it in 1974 when Germany and Bayern Munich won the World Cup and European Cup respectively.

Knocking on the doors of greatness

What makes the achievement all the more special is the fact that the Real Madrid players have been integral parts of both setups.

Joselu was critical in Real Madrid’s semifinal win over Bayern Munich in the UCL, while Nacho and Carvajal played as bonafide starters for most of the campaign.

While the striker may not be as involved in the Euros, Carvajal has once again been a regular starter and Nacho is a valuable stand-in in defence.