Spain’s habit of producing technically-gifted footballers has seen them dominate European club football for decades. Spanish teams have won a record 20 European Cups (Champions Leagues), with Real Madrid (15) and Barcelona (5) accounting for every triumph.
By attracting foreign talent (e.g., Ferenc Puskás and Lionel Messi), these clubs became more successful than the Spanish national team. In the 20th century, Spain’s best international tournaments were the 1950 World Cup (4th place), Euro 1964 (champions), and Euro 1984 (runner up).
However, Spain’s men made up for lost time in 2008 when they produced what may be the greatest football team ever. They won Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup, and Euro 2012, incorporating a tiki-taka style of short, quick passing that kept the ball from the opposition.
This list is dominated by players from Spain’s most successful era, although players from other eras, or who achieved club success, are also included.
10. Raúl
Raúl played 741 times for Real Madrid (a club record), winning 6 Spanish league (La Liga) titles and 3 Champions Leagues (1998, 2000, 2002). He was also runner up for the 2001 Ballon d’Or.
Raúl was a creative and versatile forward who used his movement and positional play to become a prolific goalscorer. He is the 2nd highest scoring Spaniard in La Liga history with 228 goals (6th overall). He is also Spain’s 2nd highest scorer.
Raúl reached the quarter-final of Euro 2000 and the 2002 World Cup, and he was in the All-Star team for Euro 2000. After Madrid, he ended his career with brief spells at Schalke, Al Sadd, and New York Cosmos, winning 2 further league titles and 2 domestic cups.
9. Carles Puyol
Carles Puyol captained Barcelona through their most successful era (2004–2014), winning 6 league titles, 2 domestic cups, and 3 Champions Leagues (2006, 2009, and 2011). With the national team, he won Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup (in the All-Star team for both) but was injured for Euro 2012.
Puyol spent his entire career with Barcelona. He was a versatile central defender who could also play at right-back. He was known for his excellent anticipation, reactions, work-rate, commitment, leadership, and reading of the game, for which he earned the nickname El Tiburon (The Shark).
8. Telmo Zarra
Telmo Zarra is the highest scoring Spaniard in the history of La Liga (251 goals; 3rd overall after Messi and Ronaldo) and he was the top scorer 6 times. The “Zarra trophy” for the highest scoring Spaniard in a season is named after him.
Zarra spent most of his career with Athletic Bilbao, winning a league title and 5 domestic cups, but he had brief spells with lesser clubs at the beginning and end of his career. He remains the highest scorer in the Spanish domestic cup (81 goals). Zarra scored 4 goals in the 1950 World Cup, when Spain finished 4th (their best performance until 2010).
7. Sergio Ramos
Despite Sergio Ramos being one of the most hated footballers on the planet for his ill-discipline, he is one of the greatest defenders ever. In 16 seasons with Real Madrid, Ramos won 5 league titles, 2 domestic cups, and 4 Champions Leagues (2014 and 2016–2018). He then won 2 league titles with Paris Saint-Germain before returning to where it all started, at Sevilla.
Ramos won each of Spain’s 3 trophies between 2008 and 2012. He is their most capped player and was in the All-Star team at the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012. Ramos is a quick and aggressive defender who scores important goals and is good in the air. He also has the technique and versatility to play as a full-back or even a midfielder.
6. Iker Casillas
Iker Casillas has the most clean sheets at international level (102) and he captained Spain to their 3 trophy wins between 2008 and 2012, being named the best goalkeeper in each tournament. He also won 5 league titles, 2 domestic cups, and 3 Champions Leagues (2000, 2002, and 2014) with Real Madrid. He later moved to FC Porto, winning another league title.
“Saint Iker” was known for his agility, reflexes, consistency, and all-round shot-stopping. He holds the records for most clean sheets (57) and penalty saves (7/23) in the Champions League. He also shares the European Championship records for clean sheets (9) and penalty saves in shootouts (3).
5. Luis Suárez
The original Luis Suárez was not a Uruguayan vampire. He was Spain’s only winner of the Ballon d’Or award (1960). Suárez’s other major achievement was winning Euro 1964 and featuring in the All-Star team.
Suárez was an elegant and skillful player who was nicknamed “The Architect.” As his career progressed, he became a deep-lying playmaker who used his vision and passing range to assist teammates.
After starting his club career with Deportivo, Suárez spent 7 seasons with Barcelona, winning 2 league titles and 2 domestic cups. He then spent 9 seasons with Inter Milan, winning 3 league titles and 2 European Cups (1964 and 1965). He ended his career with 3 seasons at Sampdoria.
4. David Villa
David Villa is Spain’s record goalscorer, both overall and in the World Cup (9 goals). He scored 5/8 of Spain’s goals in the 2010 World Cup (Spanish record) and delivered 4 goals in Euro 2008 (Golden Boot). He was in the All-Star team for both tournaments but was injured for Euro 2012.
Villa was a quick, agile, and technically-gifted striker with precise finishing and excellent movement off the ball. He began his career at Sporting Gijón before spending 2 seasons with Zaragoza, winning a domestic cup.
Villa went on to enjoy 5 years at Valencia, winning another domestic cup, and 3 years with Barcelona, winning 2 league titles, a domestic cup, and the 2011 Champions League. Villa won another league title with Atletico Madrid and spent 4 years playing in America before winning a domestic cup in Japan.
3. Paco Gento
Paco Gento has won the most European Cups in history (a record equalled in 2024 by Toni Kroos, Luka Modric, Dani Carvajal, and Nacho). His 6 triumphs were all with Real Madrid (1956–1960 and 1966) and he wasn’t just along for the ride. Gento was one of the quickest wingers ever, with precise crossing and finishing, and enough skill to do a “rabona” in the 1950s.
Gento also won more La Liga titles than anyone. His 12 titles (plus 2 domestic cups) came between 1954 and 1970. Gento’s international career was less illustrious. Despite helping Spain to qualify for Euro 1964, he was dropped for the final tournament (which was only 4 teams in a straight knockout).
2. Xavi
Xavi was at the core of the Barcelona and Spain teams that dominated the early 21st century. He was the “puppet master” of tiki-taka and the defense-splitting pass. His passing, vision, technique, skill, composure, intelligence, and ball retention were all phenomenal.
Xavi spent most of his career with Barcelona, winning 8 league titles, 3 domestic cups, and 4 Champions Leagues (2006, 2009, 2011, and 2015). He ended his career with Al Sadd, winning a league title and 2 domestic cups.
With Spain, Xavi won their 3 trophies (2008–2012) and was in the All-Star team for Euro 2008 and Euro 2012 after making assists in both finals. He was also “player of the tournament” in 2008.
1. Andrés Iniesta
Andrés Iniesta played alongside Xavi for club and country, but he won an extra league title and 3 more domestic cups with Barcelona. He then played in Japan, winning a domestic cup, and he currently plays in the United Arab Emirates.
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Iniesta won Spain’s 3 trophies (2008–2012), was in the All-Star team at Euro 2008 and Euro 2012, and was “player of the tournament” at Euro 2012. He scored the winning goal in the final of the 2010 World Cup and was named “man of the match” there and in the Euro 2012 final. He was runner up for the 2010 Ballon d’Or.
Iniesta is known for his intelligent passing and vision, his sublime ball control and retention, and his silky but effective dribbling skills. Alongside Lionel Messi, he may be the most technically-gifted player ever, with the balance, composure, and agility to do things that no other player in his position can do.
Honorable Mentions and Future Additions
Many footballers were considered for this list. The following players deserve to be mentioned (ordered by date):
- Ricardo Zamora (goalkeeper; All-Star team at the 1934 World Cup)
- César Rodríguez (striker; 223 La Liga goals, 3rd best among Spaniards)
- Agustín Gaínza (forward; captain at 1950 World Cup)
- Estanislau Basora (winger/striker; scored 4 goals at 1950 World Cup)
- José María Zárraga (midfielder; 5 European Cups for Real Madrid in ‘50s)
- Amancio (winger/forward; won Euro 1964)
- Chus Pereda (midfielder; won Euro 1964, Golden Boot)
- Ignacio Zoco (defensive midfielder; won Euro 1964)
- Feliciano Rivilla (right-back; won Euro 1964)
- Ferran Olivella (defender; won Euro 1964)
- Quini (striker; 219 La Liga goals, 4th best among Spaniards)
- Antonio Maceda (defender; Euro 1984 runner up)
- José Antonio Camacho (left-back; Euro 1984 runner up)
- Santillana (striker; Euro 1984 runner up; 9 league titles)
- Emilio Butragueño (striker; 5 goals in 1986 World Cup)
- Míchel (midfielder; 4 goals in 1990 World Cup)
- Fernando Hierro (sweeper; 3 European Cups with Real Madrid)
- Manuel Sanchis (sweeper; 2 European Cups with Real Madrid)
- Sergi Barjuán (left-back; Barcelona legend)
- Pep Guardiola (defensive midfielder; won 1992 European Cup)
- Luis Enrique (midfielder/forward; Barcelona legend)
- Joan Capdevila (left-back; 2 trophies for Spain 2008-2010)
- Xabi Alonso (midfielder; 3 trophies for Spain: 2008-2012)
- David Silva (attacking midfielder; 3 trophies for Spain: 2008-2012)
- Cesc Fàbregas (attacking midfielder; 3 trophies for Spain: 2008-2012)
- Fernando Torres (striker; 3 trophies for Spain: 2008-2012)
- Sergio Busquets (midfielder; 2 trophies for Spain 2010-2012)
- Gerard Piqué (defender; 2 trophies for Spain 2010-2012)
- Jordi Alba (left-back; won Euro 2012)
