In a period of evolution, the sun is setting on Spain's legendary reign

The legend of Spain was born and raised in Catalonia, in the academies of FC Barcelona.

When fans of the beautiful game picture Spanish international football, they rarely remember the antagonizing days of Raul Gonzalez, who captained La Furia Roja listlessly to disappointment after disappointment. The Real Madrid icon is but a memory, only remembered fondly at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Spain, as the 21st century defines it, is 11, perfected. Spain is Iker Casillas, its saint and saviour. Spain is David Villa and Fernando Torres, its relentless goal-scorers. Spain is Sergio Ramos and Carles Puyol, its bruised, battling defenders.

And more than anything else, like the Barcelona team it once mimicked to glory, Spain is Andres Iniesta, Xavi Hernandez, and Sergio Busquets.

(Courtesy: IfcFootballTV)

The groups for the 2016 UEFA European Championship were drawn Saturday. Spain was drawn into Group D alongside the Czech Republic, Turkey, and Croatia.

Spain manager Vicente del Bosque smiled as he handed back the Henri Delaunay Cup. It might be the last time he holds the prize in his hands.

Tiki-taka is to soccer as moneyball is to baseball.

It is written about in faux complexity, its scribe pretending to understand more, see more, and appreciate better than the fan - to somehow sit and interpret, whether anecdotally or analytically, what is essentially not quantifiable.

It should not take 1,000 words to say that Spain and Barcelona play really, really good soccer.

Spain's reign began at Euro 2008. Its legend was written in the 2010 World Cup. And its humanity and mortality, its boring complexion, was exposed in Euro 2012. It did not matter, as the Spanish celebrated each trophy with joy.

But in the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Spain's flaws were finally exposed by those who were younger, faster, stronger, and maybe hungrier. It's why these reigning kings were sent packing in the group stage.

Spain won trophies playing a very particular brand of football, but that sun is setting. Those days are done.

David Villa, like Raul before him, is in New York. His country no longer needs him.

Fernando Torres, like Fernando Morientes before him, is destined to be lost to the pages of footballing history.

Xavi has vanished to Qatar. Puyol has long since hung up his boots. Casillas is at Porto, hungry for glory that he might never taste again. Iniesta, the youngest, and Spain's finest talent, captains a Barcelona team he no longer recognizes.

The fading Barcelona influence

If Spain is 11, Barcelona is one. Or, rather, three.

The names Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Luis Suarez have been written together with fondness as they shatter record after record. South America smiles. Spain does not.

What is Spain, today?

Well, that depends on how its manager, Vicente del Bosque, sees the state of its national team.

If Spain is to remain the amalgamation of the legends of today, it will have plenty of time to reminisce fondly on the early plane rides home.

La Furia Roja must adapt and trust its abundant talent with a new vision. Barcelona built Spain, unknowingly, in 2008, but that responsibility is now Del Bosque's alone for Euro 2016.

The future

Spain's glory is now held in the hands of David De Gea, passed on from San Iker before him. Its rock-steady resolve lies in the hearts and minds of Cesar Azpilicueta, Javi Martinez, and Jordi Alba; of Jose Gaya and Mikel San Jose. Puyol would be proud.

Spain's midfield reins must finally be handed to David Silva. Iniesta must bow his hat and settle soon. Dependency has crept into this team. It is the death knell of international football. Besides, Busquets will take care of his new friends, as is his nature.

Isco, Thiago Alcantara, Dani Parejo, Sergi Roberto, Camacho, Manu Trigueros, Juan Mata, Koke, Vitolo, and Gerard Deulofeu all spring from the source of renewed success. They span a continent. Spain can no longer draw its strength from a single well.

Forget Diego Costa or Alvaro Negredo. Trust in Alvaro Morata. Trust in Paco Alcacer. Place trust in the future of Spanish football.

Spain is no longer Barcelona. It must become its own team. Its own system. It must find its own identity. Before it collapses. Before Iniesta's heavy legs can no longer beat to a rhythm all his own. Before Spain realizes it is too late.

The beauty of a setting sun is in its rise after the night.