Catalan Gen Z shifts toward Spanish identity

Catalan youth back Spain: independence fades among Generation Z

The sight of teenagers and young adults waving Spanish flags while speaking Catalan has become common in Barcelona’s streets during the 2026 World Cup. This is not an illusion: data shows that a sense of belonging to Spain is growing among younger Catalans, just as separatism seems to collapse among baby boomers.

The phenomenon breaking the official narrative

For years, the dominant narrative held that Catalan youth were mostly pro-independence, fueled by school indoctrination and public media. However, what is seen at recent Spanish national team matches is exactly the opposite: groups of kids jumping and celebrating Spain’s goals in perfect Catalan. "The young generation leaves us far behind. They aren’t fooled by politicians’ artificial hatred," some analysts summarize.

According to participants in the discussion, this change has deep roots. The pro-independence process (procés) has become associated with an older generation, the baby boomers, who led the illegal 2017 referendum and the subsequent exile of their leaders. "Being a 'procés' supporter looks boomer-ish and outdated," they point out. The lack of concrete results—independence never arrived—and the clientelistic management of the Generalitat (Catalan government) have damaged the movement’s credibility.

The influence of sporting success and Barça’s academy

It is no coincidence that nine players on the Spanish national team are from Catalonia, and most came through FC Barcelona’s La Masia academy. Thierry Henry once said that Spain’s playing style mirrors what is taught in the blue-and-granite academy. While Real Madrid signs foreign stars, Barça produces local talent that wears the red jersey. This fosters natural identification between young Catalans and the national team.

Moreover, the rise of Messi and the Argentine national team—which competes with Spain—has triggered a curious reaction: in Madrid, many squares fill with Argentine fans, while in Barcelona, support for Spain is more visible. "Separatists don’t know where to hide," some joke.

Demographic factors and generational shift]

Another key factor is the arrival of new Latin American residents in Catalonia. These immigrants, already numerous in Barcelona neighborhoods, have no ties to separatism and feel comfortable with the Spanish flag. "Latinos wear Spanish jerseys without antiestéticar," they note. At the same time, children of immigrants from other Spanish regions—known as "charnegos"—tend to reject their parents’ nationalist views, seeing them as backward.

The crisis of Catalan public television has also contributed: young people no longer consume its content but receive influences from across the Spanish-speaking world via mobile devices. "Separatism built client networks, but kids don’t watch TV," they summarize.

A ruined procés and mass conversion

Even historical figures of separatism like Joan Laporta have shown signs of rapprochement: the Barça president traveled to watch the Spanish national team, a gesture unthinkable years ago. The conversion of "moderate separatists" accelerates as they see the independence project as "a company in ruins," according to critical analyses.

However, separatist sentiment has not completely disappeared: there are still over two million hardline separatists, concentrated in rural Catalonia and among older generations. But the trend is clear: Catalan youth are voting with their feet and their jerseys. The generational shift favors Spain.

Will the change last?

The question remaining is whether this support for the national team will translate into lasting political change, or if it is merely an illusion fueled by sporting success. For now, separatist parties still hold parliamentary seats, but their base is shrinking. If Spain keeps winning matches, the procés may be counting its final days.