According to RMC, an insulting banner targeting the Spanish national team was displayed during the San Fermín festival in Pamplona, highlighting the country's mixed attitude towards the team. Several regions within Spain are seeking independence.
The fight for a second World Cup star has failed to win the support of the entire Spanish population. On Friday, hours before Spain's 2-1 victory over Belgium in the 2026 World Cup quarter-final, two banners reignited tensions among some members of the public. Before the start of the famous San Fermín Festival bullfight in Pamplona, hostile banners targeting the Spanish team appeared in the bullring: "Puta Espana, puta seleccion" ("Death to Spain, death to the national team"). According to El Confidencial, one spectator was also ejected from the stands for attempting to tear down a small Spanish flag.
These incidents are enough to illustrate the significant divisions within Spain ahead of Lamin Yamal's teammates' match against France in Dallas at 9 p.m. local time on Tuesday for a place in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals. The strong chant exposed this resentment and provoked a fierce backlash from a large number of spectators, who responded with a resounding "Que viva Espana" (Long live Spain). The spectator who attempted to touch the flag was also met with enthusiastic applause when he was expelled. But why is there such division? Because Spain is a country composed of multiple autonomous communities, and some political parties in Catalonia, the Basque Country, and even Navarre, where the Pamplona Festival is held, are calling for independence.
Therefore, for some, the Spanish national team represents central power in Madrid, despite the fact that many players come from clubs in the region, such as the eight players from Barcelona. The irony of the banner incident lies in the fact that the team's 2-1 victory over Belgium and 1-0 win over Portugal were carried by Mikel Merino, a Pamplona native and product of Osasuna's youth academy. His winning goal sparked a frenzy of celebration in Pamplona hours later, further demonstrating the city and the entire region's fervor for the national team and this local hero.
In a passionate editorial, the local newspaper, the Navarre Daily, hailed the Arsenal player as a symbol of unity. The article stated, "Mikel Merino's actions have now transcended football itself, entering sociology, civic discourse, and even the emotions of waiting for help after the COVID-19 lockdown."
"When the San Fermín festival meets the passion that the Spanish national team might inspire, a segment of the power structure in our city, especially those who are adept at exploiting division rather than uniting people, find it hard to believe that the diversity embodied in Spain will actually resonate on the streets."
During Euro 2024, hostile banners targeting Basque players Mikel Oyarzabal and Mikel Merino appeared in the Basque city of Elorio. The two, then teammates at Real Sociedad, were labeled "traitors" for representing the Spanish national team. Emotions surrounding the team have always been polarized in different regions, but passionate support also exists. This is particularly evident in the preparations for the 2030 World Cup, which Spain will co-host with Morocco, Portugal, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Argentina. The Basque region is also vying for Athletic Bilbao and San Sebastián to host the tournament. In 2010, Andres Iniesta's winning goal in the final, helping Spain defeat the Netherlands 1-0 to win the World Cup, also united the nation, despite his time at Barcelona. Sixteen years later, some in Spain still dream of a second World Cup star, but not everyone does.
