The building of national identity and pride through sports

1. Sport &
Nationalism
Spain & identity &
sport
The “National” situation in Spain:
 Some of the regions in Spain do not feel the Spanish national
identity as their own identity. Particularly citizens from Catalonia
and the Basque Country, and to a lesser extent in other regions,
feel alienated from Spain.
 This situation originates a paradox: top athletes want to play for the
national team in big competitions for the prestige but at the same
time they do not feel comfortable with it.

2. Sport &
Nationalism
 Catalonia is a powerful sporting region in Spain:
 5 out of 11 starting players in the Spanish team in the 2010
Soccer World Cup final were from Catalonia.
 5 out of 12 players from the Spanish basketball team are from
Catalonia, the Gasol brothers and Ricky Rubio included.
 Spain obtained 17 medals in London 2012 Olympics. 5 by
Catalan athletes.
 Some media in Spain think that players who don’t feel Spanish
shouldn’t represent Spain in international competitions.
Spain & identity &
sport

3. Carles Puyol, former FCB captain, kissing the Catalan flag after scoring a goal

4. Athletic Bilbao and FC Barcelona
in a football match wearing their
regions colors
Athletic Bilbao and Real
Sociedad, La Liga clubs from the
Basque Country, carrying the
Basque flag

5.  Usually in Spain there’s no
soccer in Christmas.
 Some regional national soccer
squads use those days to
schedule friendly matches.
 Euskadi and Catalunya are
two of the most persistent
Spanish nations to do that

6.  The second most important
title in Spanish soccer is the
King’s Cup
 In the last few years,
whenever Barcelona or
Athletic Bilbao reach the final,
their supporters whistle the
Spanish national anthem
before the match
 30 May 2015, FC Barcelona
and Athletic Bilbao will play
the 2015 Spanish King’s Cup
Final in the Camp Nou
stadium
1. Spanish National Television
2. What actually occurred

7. Have any American athlete ever thought about carrying a California or Pennsylvania State flag?

9. Sport &
Nationalism
Argentina vs
England
 In 1982 Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands claiming they were
situated in Argentinian territory. The Falklands were colonial
islands under British sovereignty.
 The UK responded and defeated Argentinian troops, retaining the
sovereignty over the islands.

11. Sport &
Nationalism
Argentina vs
England
 In 1986, four years later, Argentina and England faced each other
in the World Cup in Mexico.
 Quarter-finals. Estadio Azteca, 114,000 spectators.
 The score was 0-0 at halftime.

12. Sport &
Nationalism
Argentina vs
England
 The ‘Hand of God’ in minute 51. Maradona
“I scored the goal "un poco con la cabeza de Maradona y otro poco
con la mano de Dios" (a little with the head of Maradona and a little
with the hand of God)”.

14. Sport &
Nationalism
Argentina vs
England
 In minute 55, Maradona scored again what is considered the beast
goal ever to be scored by any footballer.
Messi has replicated those two goals in his career making his case to be
considered Maradona’s rightful successor.

15. Sport &
Nationalism
New York Times interactive map
 Sport competitions reflect very firmly the world inequalities and the
global hegemony of some countries.
 Observing the evolution of the medal table in the Olympics is like
observing the history of the 20th Century.
 The Winter Olympic Games show very clearly the difference
between hemispheres.
World Map