Spain got their Euro 2024 campaign underway on Saturday as they faced Croatia but those watching the game may have noticed something unusual.
The Spanish national anthem has become very familiar over the years.
La Roja are bidding to win the European Championship for the fourth time as they go for glory in Germany this summer.
However, many will have noted that the Spain players do not sing their national anthem.
The reason behind this has now been revealed.
The reason why Spain do not sing their national anthem has been revealed
As reported by The Metro, Spain’s national anthem, the Marcha Real, doesn’t have any official lyrics.
The anthem was initially a military march for the Spanish infantry.
It was adopted as the official national anthem during Queen Isabella II’s reign between 1833 and 1868.
General Franco added words to the anthem during his rule as a dictator but the words were removed when he was disposed from power.
Spain are one of only four nations that do not have lyrics in their national anthem
In 2008 the Spanish Olympic Committee tried to add lyrics to the anthem. However, their attempt to include ‘Viva Espana’ in the opening line was criticised due to its associations with Franco.
Only three other national anthems do not have lyrics – Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and San Marino.
Some fans sing unofficial lyrics to the anthem before matches.
