Spain national under-18 football team
National youth football team.
The Spain national under-18 football team, known as La Rojita (The Little Red One), is managed by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and represents Spain in international youth competitions. The team has a rich history, particularly in the UEFA European Under-18 Championship, where they have participated 14 times since its inception in 1981, with their best result being champions in 1995.
Spain's U-18 team has recorded significant achievements, including a 9-0 victory against Andorra in 1999, which stands as their biggest win. Conversely, they faced their largest defeat with a 5-1 loss to Romania in 1960 and again to England in 1993.
The current head coach is Paco Gallardo, who leads a squad featuring players who have shown considerable promise. Notable records include Javier Delgado, José Luis Gallardo, and Sebastián Nadal, each holding the record for most caps at 23. The top scorer for the team is Chuzo, who netted 13 goals during his time with the U-18 squad.
In addition to their European Championship participation, Spain's U-18 team has also competed successfully in other tournaments, such as the Mediterranean Games, where they won a gold medal in 2018.