Usage Note
Nacionales is the plural form of nacional, used as both adjective and noun. As a noun, los nacionales refers to nationals (citizens) of a country. In historical Spanish usage Los Nacionales specifically denoted Franco's Nationalist forces during the Civil War, a connotation still present in historical texts.
Examples
"Los equipos nacionales compitieron en el torneo."
Natural Translation
The national teams competed in the tournament.

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