Spain, which is situated on the Iberian Peninsula, was renowned in the 20th century for producing technically brilliant football players with little international success to show for it. This was altered in the new century by the 2008–2012 winning Spanish squad. With their “tiki-taka” pass-and-move style of play, the Spaniards and their squad transformed the game of football and went on to win every trophy that was available at the time. The new age produced many of the best and most gifted Spaniards in history. Many more existed before them, albeit with less success and hence less notoriety. Find the list of the Top 10 Spain Players of All Time below.
The Top 10 Spain Players of All Time
Xabi Alonso
One of the main factors in Spain’s success from 2008 to 2012 was Xabi Alonso. The graceful midfielder participated in all three competitions. He starting just one game for Luis Aragones’ La Roja in Euro 2008. He came off the bench in both the semifinal and championship games as La Roja won. Under Vicente del Bosque, Alonso continued to play a larger role. He solidifying his position in the outstanding midfield as Spain won the 2010 World Cup. The former midfielder for Real Sociedad, Liverpool, and Real Madrid went on to play 114 games. It included both in the team’s 2-0 victory against France in the Euro 2012 quarterfinals. He starts off our list of The Top 10 Spain Players of All Time.
Gerard Pique
Though opinions within Spanish football are divided, there is no denying Gerard Pique’s significance during La Roja’s heyday. The Catalan center-back performed admirably alongside Sergio Ramos at Euro 2012. He carried over his great relationship with Barcelona teammate Carles Puyol in the World Cup.
Later in his career, he came under heavy criticism for his apparent support of Catalonia’s independence (though he has never declared his support; he only calls for the right to choose) and his strong opinions about Real Madrid. However, he continued to be a significant player until his 2018 international retirement. Since then, he has been much missed. He participated in 102 games for Spain in all. He scoring five goals, and was a vital component of Barcelona’s most successful period ever.
Carles Puyol
Carles Puyol always gave his all for his club and his country; in the latter part of his career, the center defender was crucial to Barcelona’s and Spain’s success. Having captained Spain’s defense in both the 2008 European Championship and the 2010 World Cup, the defender was chosen to the Team of the Tournament each time. La Roja only let up two goals in South Africa, and he headed the game-winning header in the team’s victory over Germany in the semifinals. Despite missing the 2012 Euros due to injury, he played 100 games and scored three goals for Spain altogether.
Raul
Raul Gonzalez was regarded as Spain’s greatest player for a long time. With 44 goals in 102 games, the former Real Madrid striker became the country’s top scorer after playing a regular role in the Spain team for ten years. However, coach Luis Aragones decided to take a different approach and felt Raul’s presence would be more detrimental if the striker was not playing, which led to the termination of his international career. When Spain at last brought home a trophy in 2008, Aragones was justified, and Raul also skipped out on La Roja’s heyday under Vicente del Bosque. But he’s still one of the greatest players to have worn the iconic red shirt, and he’s a Los Blancos legend.
Sergio Busquets
Coach Vicente del Bosque used the chance to give Sergio Busquets a lot of praise after Spain lost their opening World Cup match, despite criticism of the Barcelona player. Former star midfielder Del Bosque stated that if he were still playing today, he would like to possess Busquets’ skills.
“He does everything. Busquets generously gives of himself, empties himself defensively, and was among the first to start playing football. He is also always willing to assist the squad. And football becomes more fluid when he is in top form.” No doubt. Since making his debut for Spain in 2010, Busquets has been a key player in both Barcelona’s and Spain’s victories. He currently has 134 caps for La Roja, with two goals.
Sergio Ramos
Despite having two interrupted seasons due to injuries—at Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain—Sergio Ramos has amassed a remarkable career for both club and country. The 36-year-old, who has made a record 180 appearances for La Roja and scored 23 goals, is an inspiring leader at the defense.
Before transferring to Real Madrid’s center of defense under Jose Mourinho and playing in that role for his country ever since, Ramos was Spain’s right-back during the 2008 European Championship and the 2010 World Cup. In addition to his record number of caps, he is Spain’s eighth-highest scorer having participated in 131 wins. Now, his goal is to demonstrate his fitness in time for the World Cup later this year.
David Villa
The person who stood to gain the most from Raul’s exclusion from Luis Aragones’ national squad was perhaps David Villa. With 59 goals in 98 games, the Asturian forward made the No. 7 shirt his own. He went on to become La Roja’s all-time greatest scorer. Villa had a major role in Spain’s triumph in both the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 European Championship in Austria and Switzerland, where four of those came from. After going gone for two years due to injury in Poland and Ukraine, the former striker for Valencia, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid withdrew from international service in 2014 and made a brief comeback in 2017.
Iker Casillas
After an amazing career for both club and country, Iker Casillas is a legend for Real Madrid and Spain. The goalkeeper led La Roja during their illustrious run of success between 2008 and 2012. He retired in 2020 following a small heart attack while at Porto. Casillas gained the moniker San Iker (Saint Iker) for his ability to save his team in crucial situations, even at times when he was questioned.
There were several of those moments. His stop to deny Arjen Robben in the 2010 World Cup final is arguably the most well-known. He was instrumental in his country’s victories. In all, he earned 167 caps—a record that was just surpassed by former Real Madrid teammate Sergio Ramos—and preserved more than 100 clean sheets during those games.
The great Gianluigi Buffon of Italy famously said of Casillas, “Honestly, I don’t have to use up many words to say how good he is, the results are there for all to see.” “Maybe the hardest thing of all for a goalie, he has won everything there is to win and has been at the same amazing level for so many years. Casillas is the primary reason why Spain hardly ever lets up goals.”
Andres Iniesta
Selecting a favorite between Xavi and Andres Iniesta was akin to asking Barcelona supporters to choose between their mother and father. It’s essentially unfeasible. These lists typically include Iniesta at the top. After all, Spain’s 2010 World Cup victory came from his goal. Additionally, when La Roja won Euro 2012, he was voted Player of the Tournament. For Spain, Iniesta frequently played in a more forward role. However, he was also a superb midfield player, moving with grace and elegance all over the ground. In all three of Spain’s tournament victories from 2008 to 2012, he played a significant role.
After the 2018 World Cup, Iniesta, who was 38 years old at the time. He retired from Spain service with 131 appearances and 13 goals for his country. He was still playing for Vissel Kobe in Japan. Having won 30 trophies with the Blaugrana, he will go down as one of the best players in the history of the team, even if he also left Barcelona that summer. He is the world’s best player, according to Wayne Rooney, and Sergio Ramos described him as the enlightened one. A magic wand touched someone. On the field, he is very respected. I am honored to have played alongside him because I love football. He accomplishes things that no one else can and makes a difference.” Indeed.
Xavi
In 2008, everything for Barcelona and Spain changed. Xavi was a major factor in both the club’s and the nation’s success. After some major setbacks, Spain’s coach Luis Aragones decided to try something different. Xavi became the cornerstone of La Roja’s passing and possession philosophy. Over the following four years, under Vicente del Bosque, that continued and developed at the club level. Xavi became Pep Guardiola’s leader on the field. All things passed through him, and he improved everything.
“From the first moment I saw him play, I knew he would become the brain behind Barcelona for many years to come,” Xavi stated to Guardiola. It was reportedly suggested by Argentina’s legendary Jorge Valdano that Xavi would have found the formula if football was a science, and Del Bosque that he was “more important than the coach.” No one else has ever interacted with every player on the field with such intelligence when he has a ball at his feet.” In 133 games, Xavi scored 13 goals for Spain. In an amazing 17-year career, he also won 25 trophies at Barcelona, where he currently serves as coach. He tops our llist of The Top 10 Spain Players of All Time.
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