Lucas Paulano, winner of La Voz Kids, to represent Spain at Junior Eurovision 2026

The announcement

RTVE named Lucas Paulano as Spain's entry for Junior Eurovision 2026 during Thursday's edition of El perro andaluz, the La 1 programme presented by Manu Sánchez. The 10-year-old opened the segment with a version of 'Grande Amore', the song Il Volo took to third place at Eurovision 2015, backed by the Orquesta Flamenca de Sevilla and the Coro Gospel It. Sánchez celebrated the choice with a nod to the country's football rivalry: "Que tiemble Malta. El 12‑1 se va a quedar corto para la que va a formar Lucas allí." Lucas himself struck a relaxed note: "Voy a disfrutar, hacer amigos, gozarlo y liarla parda."

The selection, kept secret for weeks, was made through an internal process held in July. RTVE will continue competing in the junior edition despite having withdrawn from the adult Eurovision 2026 over Israel's participation.

Spain's Junior Eurovision journey

Spain was one of the 16 founding nations of Junior Eurovision when it launched in Copenhagen in 2003. In the years that followed, the country claimed a victory (María Isabel's 'Antes muerta que sencilla' in 2004 with 171 points), three second places and two thirds.

RTVE pulled out after the 2006 edition, arguing the format promoted stereotypes and excessive exposure of minors. The broadcaster returned only in 2019, with Melani García's third place. Since then Spain has competed without interruption, reaching second again with Sandra Valero in 2023 and hosting the 2024 contest at Madrid's Caja Mágica. Last year Gonzalo Pinillos finished fifth with 'Érase Una Vez' in Tbilisi, the result Lucas Paulano now aims to improve.

From La Voz Kids to international stage

Born in Jaén in 2016, Lucas first captured national attention when he won the tenth season of Antena 3's La Voz Kids in 2025 at the age of eight, the show's youngest-ever winner. His coach, Colombian artist Manuel Turizo, invited him to join three concerts of his Spanish tour in Granada, Madrid and Sevilla. Last December the young singer released his debut single 'Todo sigue igual' and continues to balance his burgeoning career with piano studies at the Conservatorio Profesional de Música Ramón Garay in Jaén.

During the official visit of King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia to Jaén last March, Lucas spontaneously sang the city's anthem without a microphone. Queen Letizia responded with an "¡Olé!" and applause, a moment widely reported in the Spanish press.

Praise from RTVE leadership

TVE director Sergio Calderón highlighted the qualities that convinced the selection panel.

“Lucas's prodigious voice, his sweetness and a magnetism with the camera that reaches the heart from the first minute. He has an enormous ability to give himself in each performance and to connect with the audience.”

César Vallejo, head of the Spanish delegation at Eurovision, pointed to the candidate's maturity in the audition room.

“He has a vocal technique unusual for his age and an innate ability to move people. From the first moment we were impressed by the confidence with which he faced the casting and the truth he conveys when he performs a song. It was one of those auditions that manage to stop time and create a very special silence in the room.”

RTVE has said the song Lucas will sing in Malta will be presented alongside its video clip at the start of the new television season. The 24th edition of Junior Eurovision, with 16 countries set to take part, will be held at the Malta Fairs & Conventions Centre in Ta' Qali.