Spanish international Alex Baena has achieved a historic, unprecedented treble following Spain’s 1-0 victory against Argentina in the World Cup final.
The 25-year-old Atletico Madrid midfielder occupied the left flank from the opening whistle at MetLife Stadium.
He made way for Nico Williams in the 75th minute as Spain sought a decisive goal in regulation time.
Although a late winner eluded them in normal time, fellow substitute Ferran Torres struck the winning goal for Luis de la Fuente’s team in the 106th minute.
Every member of the Spanish squad consequently claimed World Cup glory for the first time, but the achievement holds a uniquely monumental meaning for Baena.
This is because he stands as the sole footballer ever to secure back-to-back triumphs in the European Championship, Olympic gold, and the World Cup.
Spain entered as reining European champions after defeating England 2-1 in the 2024 final, followed by a men’s Olympic gold medal later that summer courtesy of a 5-3 extra-time victory against France.
Baena netted his team’s second goal during that Olympic final victory. During Euro 2024, he remained on the bench as an unused substitute, having only recently integrated into the senior national squad.
A select group of Uruguayan players came close to a similar consecutive streak back in 1930. They captured Olympic gold in 1928 and the inaugural World Cup in 1930, but before the subsequent South American championship took place in 1935, Italy had already claimed the 1934 World Cup.
Similarly, the United States women’s national team secured the World Cup in 2019 and followed it up with the CONCACAF Women’s Championship in 2022.
However, a semi-final defeat at the 2021 Olympics thwarted their streak, and by the time they claimed Olympic gold in 2024, Spain had already taken the Women’s World Cup title.
