Football legends Pele and Franz Beckenbauer were among those who saluted Spain after their Euro 2012 success via social network Twitter on Sunday, dpa reported.
Spain became the first team to win three major titles in a row, the first to defend the Euro title and also got the biggest winning margin in a Euro final when they beat Italy 4-0 in Kiev.
Congratulations to Spain for winning the Euro 2012. Now looking forward to WorldCup 2014 in Brazil!" tweeted Pele, who won three World Cups for Brazil.
Beckenbauer who won Euro 1972 and the 1974 World Cup as a player and also coached Germany to the 1990 World Cup title, said: "Congratulations to Spain. They were the better team tonight and deserve the win."
England legend Geoff Hurst, the hero of the 1966 World Cup final, was also among those to congratulate La Roja."Many congratulations to Spain. Well deserved. Emphatic," he tweeted after saying earlier in the game "Italy have Pirlo. Spain have 10 Pirlos."
Another former England player, Chris Waddle, said on BBC radio: "We've seen a masterclass today. Spain have been the best team in the world for the last four or five years ... The Spanish have been criticised but they are the best team in the world without a shadow of a doubt."