Spain is just one match away from making football history once again, and no one may appreciate the moment more than Princess Leonor and Infanta Sofía.
As King Felipe VI, Queen Letizia and their daughters prepare to travel to New York for Sunday's FIFA World Cup final against Argentina, royal fans have been revisiting one of the Spanish royal family's sweetest sporting memories: the day the young princesses met Spain's legendary World Cup-winning squad after its unforgettable triumph in South Africa.
© AlbumOn July 12, 2010, the victorious Spanish national team arrived at Madrid's Royal Palace following Andrés Iniesta's historic winning goal against the Netherlands.
© AlbumKing Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofía hosted a special reception for the newly crowned world champions, joined by the then-Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia and their daughters, Leonor and Sofía.
The sisters, then just four and three years old, instantly became the unexpected stars of the celebration.
© AlbumDressed in miniature Spain jerseys, the young royals couldn't hide their excitement as goalkeeper Iker Casillas carefully lowered the famous FIFA World Cup trophy so they could touch it.
In one especially heartwarming moment, Princess Leonor proudly hugged the golden trophy while her younger sister reached out with a huge smile, delighting both the players and photographers.
© AlbumThe candid images quickly became some of the most memorable photographs from Spain's World Cup celebrations, capturing the joy of an entire nation through the eyes of two young royal sisters.
Sixteen years later, the story comes full circle:
The upcoming final carries even greater significance because Leonor and Sofía are no longer the little girls who needed help holding soccer's biggest prize.
© Casa de Su Majestad el ReyNow 20 and 19, the sisters will travel alongside King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia to New York New Jersey Stadium to support Spain as it attempts to win its second men's FIFA World Cup title.
© Casa de Su Majestad el ReyThe Royal Household confirmed the family's attendance after they were also seen enthusiastically following Spain's semifinal victory over France together earlier this week.
© Casa de Su Majestad el ReyThe final, scheduled for July 19, will pit Spain against defending champions Argentina in one of the most anticipated sporting events of the year.
A royal family that has always lived Spain's soccer history:
Support for Spain's national team has long been a tradition within the royal family.
© Casa de Su Majestad el ReyKing Felipe has attended numerous major tournaments over the years, while Queen Letizia has frequently joined him in celebrating the country's biggest football achievements.
Earlier this week, the family watched Spain defeat France together, even wearing matching national team jerseys before sharing an enthusiastic congratulatory message with the players on social media.
© Zuma Press/The Grosby GroupNow, as Leonor and Sofía prepare to return to football's biggest stage, those childhood photographs from 2010 serve as a touching reminder of how closely their own lives have mirrored one of Spain's greatest sporting stories.
If La Roja lifts the trophy once again on Sunday, the sisters who once admired the World Cup as little girls may witness another historic celebration from the front row.
