Spain has a long history of producing extremely talented players, with many modern football fans remembering the dominant national side between 2008 and 2012 that lifted three major trophies.

A nation with a history of technically gifted footballers, La Roja has seen some of the best players to ever play the beautiful gamedon the famous red shirt. Alfredo Di Stefano would be right at the top of a list containing the best players to ever play for the country at international level, but the prolific forward has been left out of the below rankings as he was born in Argentina.

Any list of Spain’s greatest players may well need revisiting in the years to come. Pedri has already established himself as one of the world’s best midfielders, drawing comparisons to some names on the list below. Lamine Yamal, meanwhile, is already making the game look easy, when others his age are barely getting started.

That said, here’s a ranking of the top 15 Spanish players in history:

1

Andres Iniesta

Career Span: 2000-2024

Andres Iniesta is our number one Spanish player of all time. The magical midfielder achieved everything possible in terms of team honours, lifting multiple La Liga titles and four Champions League trophies. His legacy isn’t just limited to club football, however, as Iniesta was instrumental in perhaps the greatest Spain team ever.

His extra-time goal in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands cemented his place in the history of his country forever. He played a vital part in the team’s European Championship successes in both 2008 and 2012. His longevity in the sport has meant he finishes just above a teammate he worked extremely well with during his peak years.

2

Xavi

Career Span: 1997-2019

Xavi misses out on top spot marginally to his former colleague at club and international level. Playing a different role to Iniesta, the maestro was just as important to Barcelona’s success throughout the 2000s and 2010s. He controlled the midfield like a conductor with his passing range being unmatched by his peers.

His trophy cabinet is impressive, as Xavi was part of the same successful sides as Iniesta. His deep-lying role in Pep Guardiola’s dominant Barca side was a thing of beauty. The 44-year-old even found glory elsewhere, lifting trophies in Qatar during a spell with Al Sadd.

3

Sergio Ramos

Career Span: 2003-2026

There have been so many great central defenders in the history of the game and Sergio Ramos ranks extremely high in that conversation. A fiery character on the pitch with underrated technical ability in possession of the ball, the Spaniard was one of the very best in his position for over a decade.

Even in his late thirties, the Real Madrid icon was still playing top-flight football in his home country after returning to Sevilla — the club his senior career started at. Ramos was part of the most dominant period any club side has enjoyed in Champions League history, helping Los Blancos to four titles in five years. His last-gasp header against bitter rivals Atletico in 2014 is perhaps the most legendary moment of his long and storied career.

4

Iker Casillas

Career Span: 1997-2020

There are few goalkeepers in the history of football that can claim to have had better careers than Iker Casillas. The shot-stopper was unbelievable during his best years at the Santiago Bernabeu. Despite being slightly shorter than average for a ‘keeper (under 6’0″), he made up for it with his wonderful agility and clever positioning.

In terms of the national side, Casillas kept Victor Valdes out of the Spain team even when Barcelona were at their most dominant. He was named in the Team of the Tournament in each of his nation’s major successes over four years, proving his importance to one of the best teams in modern history.

5

Raul

Career Span: 1994-2015

With over 300 career goals to his name, Raul Gonzalez had to be included on this list. The former Real Madrid forward was clinical when presented with a goal-scoring opportunity. He is best known for his time in La Liga as the Spanish legend scored goals for fun in his home country.

Spells with Schalke, Al Sadd and New York Cosmos came in the twilight years of his career, but the left-footed poacher still had the knack of finding the back of the net. His scoring record in international football wasn’t bad, either, as Raul hit 44 goals in just over 100 appearances.

6

Sergio Busquets

Career Span: 2008-2025

The unsung hero of both Barcelona and Spain’s successes in the past two decades. Sergio Busquets is one of the most aesthetically pleasing footballers to watch on the planet, as the holding midfielder’s intelligence allows him to pick up space anywhere on the pitch and spray passes wherever he pleases.

Taking over from Xavi was never going to be an easy feat, but he did so seamlessly during Barca’s previously mentioned era of dominance in European football. After linking up with former teammates Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Jordi Alba at Inter Miami for three seasons, Busquets hung up his boots in 2025, bringing down the curtain on a career that saw him win 37 trophies.

7

Luis Suarez

Career Span: 1952-1973

No, not that one. Before the Luis Suarez modern-day fans know and love, there was a player with the same name. The attacking player remains one of just two Spaniards to lift the Ballon d’Or, the most prestigious individual honour in the game.

He did so all the way back in 1960, after helping Barcelona to back-to-back La Liga successes. Suarez would go on to add two European Cups to his trophy cabinet during a stint with Inter Milan. It was during his time with the Italian giants that he helped Spain to a European Nations’ Cup in 1964.

8

David Villa

Career Span: 2000-2019

Spain’s all-time top goalscorer simply had to get into the top 10. David Villa was integral to Barcelona’s success in the early 2010s, famously scoring at Wembley Stadium as his club defeated Manchester United 3-1 in the 2011 Champions League final.

He netted 59 goals for his country in 98 games, leaving him with a record better than a goal every two matches. The ex-Valencia star didn’t always play centrally, either, as Villa played a large portion of his games on the left wing. There were few players with a more deadly right foot than the heroic Spaniard.

9

Carles Puyol

Career Span: 1996-2014

It shows how many good players have come from Spain that Barcelona’s legendary captain Carles Puyol ranks so low on this list. We are talking about one of the best defenders to have stepped foot on a football pitch, who was willing to put his body on the line for his club and country time and time again.

His header against Germany in the 2010 World Cup semi-final was enough to lead La Roja to the final, in which Iniesta scored the winning goal. Puyol is a rare breed as he remained loyal to his beloved Barcelona throughout his career, retiring at the club as a hero who achieved everything.

10

Emilio Butragueno

Career Span: 1981-1998

Emilio Butragueno is possibly a lesser-known name on this list, as the best work the Real Madrid icon did came in the 1980s. Winning six La Liga trophies, Butragueno is one of the most successful players to come through the ranks at the Spanish club.

The 5’7″ striker was incredibly difficult for opposing defenders to deal with, as his pace and agility were impressive. His best showing in the famous red shirt of Spain came in the Euro 1984 tournament as his side unfortunately finished runners-up but Butragueno’s contributions earned him a place in the Team of the Tournament and a Silver Ball award.

A member of Japan’s national football team has been accused of breaking a kit rule during the 2026 World Cup clash against Netherlands on Sunday.

The two sides played out an entertaining 2-2 draw at the AT&T Stadium in Texas. Following a goalless first half, the game came to life when Virgil van Dijk put Netherlands ahead shortly after the interval.

Keito Nakamura equalised minutes later before West Ham’s Crysencio Summerville restored the Oranje’s one-goal advantage. However, Ronald Koeman’s side were denied two valuable points when Daichi Kamada scored late on.

Japan Player Acccused of Breaking Kit Rule

Kai Pfaffenbach via Reuters

Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu went viral on social media for deploying a never-seen-before tactic with his whiteboard.

Meanwhile, images of Nakamura have also spread across social media platforms, with football fans convinced the 25-year-old wasn’t wearing any shin pads.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), the organisation responsible for the laws of the game, state that shin pads are a mandatory piece of equipment that all footballers must wear while playing.

Law 4.2 states that shin pads must:

• Be made of a suitable material.
• Be of an appropriate size to provide reasonable protection and be covered by the socks.
• And players are responsible for the size and suitability of their shin pads.

While the law does not define what an “appropriate” shin tag is, with the decision ultimately left to each individual player, they must still provide “reasonable protection”.

Former FIFA Ref Reacts

Kai Pfaffenbach via Reuters

Former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA referee Keith Hackett said in response to the images of Nakamura:

Some football fans have claimed that Nakamura was wearing tiny shin pads underneath his socks, but whether these offer reasonable protection is debatable.

There’s been a growing trend in recent years of certain top-level footballers wearing small shin pads. One of the most famous examples is Everton’s Jack Grealish, who wears shin pads that are between large child and small adult size.

While players like Nakamura and Grealish may see little harm in wearing small shin pads, former Wycombe Wanderers club doctor Bob Sangar strongly disagrees with the growing trend.

“Some modern-day football boots have got sharp angled studs quite capable of slicing through a sock, skin and muscle. I’ve seen freak injuries,” he said.

“Last year we had a game at Bristol Rovers and one of our forwards ended up with a cut that required close to 30 stitches and he had to have a plastic surgical repair, and that was literally just a stud running down the outside of his leg.”

He added: “We worry so much about the safety of players with concussion, I cannot fathom why there is less attention on the risk of serious leg injuries. We wouldn’t send soldiers into the battlefield without body armour – but footballers will go on to the field wearing a shirt, shorts and that’s it.

“This is going to keep happening until something very negative happens and then people will realise they should have done something sooner.”

Andoni Iraola could turn to a familiar face as he looks to add a new attacker to his Liverpool front-line this summer. Iraola is just getting his feet under the table at Anfield, but he will already be evaluating which parts of his squad need strengthening ahead of his first season in charge.

The Reds will be expecting to be in the title conversation next season after a disappointing second season under Arne Slot that ended up costing the Dutchman his job. Big investment last summer filled this Liverpool squad with attacking talent, and fans want to see this team play attacking football. Iraola specialises in direct, attacking football, but he may feel he needs a couple of extra tools to get his new team playing the way he wants them to.

Liverpool eye move to sign Rayan from Bournemouth

Iraola is reportedly looking back to his old club to help with attacking reinforcements at Liverpool. According to Sport Witness, Rayan is a potential target, with the Brazilian having enjoyed a superb end to the season after joining Bournemouth in January.

The 19-year-old, described as “electric” by BBC pundit Ashley Wiliams this season, scored five and assisted twice in 15 Premier League appearances, helping the Cherries land a Europa League berth. The young winger has a unique strength and power for his age, and there is real excitement over what he will develop into given how easily he has taken to the Premier League already.

AFC Bournemouth paid £35million to sign Rayan in January, and there is no telling what they will ask for to sell the young winger now, although he is understood to have a £130million release clause that kicks in in the January transfer window. He is one of the most exciting young talents to have arrived in the Premier League in recent years, and he is under contract until 2031. Rayan is already valued at £51.8million by Transfermarkt.

Iraola has spoken glowingly about Rayan in the past

Hannah Mckay via Reuters

Iraola is a fine developer of young players, and while everyone at Bournemouth was busy getting carried away with Rayan, the new Liverpool boss has always focused on the development of the attacker.

After Rayan’s first goal, the Spaniard said: “I think he’s still in the process of adaptation and he needs to learn a lot and we need to learn a lot from him. To see him in different positions, in different scenarios.

“But if he does this process while adding numbers like the other day with the assist, like today with the goal, I think he’s a player, if we can provide him spaces and situations to go one against one against the defenders, he will produce a good offensive threat.”