Alex Baena becomes first player to win Euro, Olympic gold and World Cup consecutively

Alex Baena, the 25‑year‑old midfielder from Roquetas de Mar, helped Spain achieve an unprecedented "triple crown" in football. He was part of the Euro 2024 winning side in Germany, then helped the Olympic squad capture gold in Paris the same summer, and finally starred in Spain’s 2026 World Cup triumph in the United States, becoming the first player ever to win those three major tournaments in consecutive order.

The feat matches only Lionel Messi and Ángel Di María, who have won the same three titles but not consecutively. Baena’s hometown honoured him as "hijo predilecto" and announced plans to name five new football fields after him. During the official reception at La Moncloa, his handshake with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez drew media attention, though Baena gave no comment.

Baena played seven of eight World Cup matches, scored the decisive goal against Uruguay and was named MVP of that match. The Spanish Football Federation, his club Atlético Madrid and the national Olympic committee all praised his historic achievement, describing him as a "unique" figure in the sport’s history.