In the modern history of football, Spain have often competed right at the top of the tree both in club and international football, thanks to their ability to develop technically gifted stars who have graced many pitches over the years.
From World Cup and European Championship winners to Champions League and La Liga heroes, these sensational players defined their respective eras and inspired millions with their terrific performances and achievements on the pitch for both club and country.
With that, here is a list of who we believe are the ten greatest Spanish footballers, based on their overall impact at either club or international level during their careers…
1
Andres Iniesta
2000-2024
2
Sergio Ramos
2003-present
3
David Villa
2000-2020
4
Xavi
1997-2019
5
Raul
1994-2015
6
Emilio Butragueno
1982-1998
7
Sergio Busquets
2007-present
8
Iker Casillas
1998-2020
9
Carles Puyol
1996-2014
10
Fernando Torres
2001-2019
10 Fernando Torres 2001-2019
The former Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, and Liverpool marksman enjoyed a terrific career at club and international level as an impressive centre-forward.
His work for Spain was particularly eye-catching as he scored the winning goal in the 2008 European Championship final against Germany and scored one of his country’s four goals in the win over Italy in the final of the same competition in 2012.
Torres scored 38 goals in 110 caps for Spain by the end of his career, to go along with 262 goals in 762 club games.
9 Carles Puyol 1996-2014
A rock at the heart of the defence for Barcelona and Spain for many years, Carles Puyol simply had to be on this list of the best Spanish players to ever grace the field.
He was named in the UEFA Team of the Year on six occasions, and won three Champions League trophies and six La Liga titles during his career, to go along with the World Cup and the European Championship with Spain.
The legendary centre-back amassed 100 caps for his country and made 593 appearances for Barcelona at senior level, as he dominated matches domestically and internationally throughout his time on the pitch.
Trophy
Year(s)
World Cup
2010
European Championship
1964, 2008, 2012, 2024
Nations League
2023
8 Iker Casillas 1998-2020
The first and only goalkeeper on the list is, of course, the iconic Iker Casillas, who starred for both Spain and Real Madrid, among other clubs, over a more than 20-year career.
He caught the eye with his cat-like reflexes and exceptional saves on the biggest stages, winning the World Cup and two European Championship trophies during his time with the national team.
Casillas racked up a staggering 725 appearances for Real Madrid in all competitions, and was capped 167 times by Spain, which speaks to the longevity of his career at the very top level.
Tournament
Stage reached
2002 World Cup
Quarter-finals
2006 World Cup
Round of 16
2010 World Cup
Winners
2014 World Cup
Group stage
2018 World Cup
Round of 16
2022 World Cup
Round of 16
7 Sergio Busquets 2007-present
The first player on this list who is still actively playing is the metronomic Sergio Busquets, who currently plays for Inter Miami alongside Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez in the MLS.
Now 36, the Spanish titan has been capped 143 times by his country and made 722 appearances for Barcelona before his switch to America last year.
Busquets won a sensational nine La Liga titles and three Champions League trophies with the Catalan giants, alongside a World Cup and a European Championship medal with Spain.
Tournament
Stage reached
Euro 2000
Quarter-finals
Euro 2004
Group stage
Euro 2008
Winners
Euro 2012
Winners
Euro 2016
Round of 16
Euro 2020
Semi-finals
Euro 2024
Winners
6 Emilio Butragueno 1982-1998
The oldest player on this list is iconic forward Emilio Butragueno, who was a star for club and country over the course of a number of years.
He showcased his quality as both a scorer and a creator of goals for Real Madrid with a stunning return of 168 goals and 113 assists in 452 matches, and struck 26 times in 69 caps for Spain.
Butragueno, who retired in 1998, was a lethal attacker throughout his time on the pitch and caused defenders constant problems with his finishing quality and creative spark.
Rank
Player
Caps
1
Sergio Ramos
180
2
Iker Casillas
167
3
Sergio Busquets
143
4
Xavi
133
5
Andres Iniesta
131
5 Raul 1994-2015
The legendary Raul had to make this list because of his glittering career for both club and country before his retirement back in 2015.
A mind-blowing 383 goals and 157 assists in 916 matches at club level, combined with 44 goals in 102 caps for his country, shows that the former Real Madrid star was a consistently dangerous player at the top end of the pitch.
His 44 goals for Spain had made him the top scorer in the country’s history, before a player who will be revealed later in this list went on to overtake him, which speaks to the quality he displayed at international level.
Rank
Player
Caps
Goals
1
David Villa
98
59
2
Raul
102
44
3
Fernando Torres
110
38
4
Alvaro Morata
85
37
5
David Silva
125
35
4 Xavi 1997-2019
There could not be a list of the greatest players to play for Spain without including the iconic former Barcelona midfielder, and now current manager, Xavi.
The metronomic maestro was named in France Football’s all-time Ballon d’Or dream team back in 2020, alongside the likes of Messi, Lothar Matthaus, and Cafu.
Xavi scored 12 goals in 133 caps for Spain and racked up 85 goals and 185 assists in 767 appearances for Barcelona during his club career.
Manager
Tenure
Luis de la Fuente
2019-present
Luis Enrique
2018-2022
Robert Moreno
2019
Fernando Hierro
2018
Julen Lopetegui
2016-2018
3 David Villa 2000-2020
One of Spain’s all-time greats is, for sure, David Villa. The prolific marksman took on Raul’s iconic number seven shirt for his country in 2008 and never looked back.
His sensational 59 goals for Spain make him the top scorer in the history of the team, with a whopping 14 more goals than any other player over the years.
The greatest scorer in the country’s history simply had to be among the best to do ever do it in this list, especially when you also consider that he scored 341 goals in 666 games at club level – for the likes of Barcelona, Valencia, and New York City FC.
2006 World Cup
4
3
0
2008 European Championship
4
4
0
2010 World Cup
7
5
1
2014 World Cup
1
1
0
2 Sergio Ramos 2003-present
Second on this list is the most-capped player in the history of Spanish international football – legendary centre-back Sergio Ramos.
The iconic colossus has been capped a staggering 180 times by Spain, and has played 813 games at club level to date – currently playing for Mexican side Monterrey at the age of 39.
Ramos won four Champions League trophies and five La Liga titles during his time with Real Madrid, to go along with a World Cup and two European Championship successes with Spain.
He was even once dubbed the “best defender in the world” by former Italy and AC Milan legend Paulo Maldini.
1 Andres Iniesta 2000-present
The best player in Spanish football history is, arguably, the iconic Andres Iniesta, who was last playing for Emirates Club in the UAE, prior to his retirement in 2024.
One of his greatest, if not the greatest, moments of his career to date came in the final of the 2010 World Cup against the Netherlands.
Iniesta struck in extra-time to win the World Cup for his country for the first time, which cemented his place in Spanish football history forever.
He scored 14 goals in 131 caps for his country and racked up 57 strikes and 136 assists in 674 matches for Barcelona during his time at the Nou Camp.
Xavi once called him Spain’s most “complete” player and David Silva claimed that Iniesta was the best player in world football ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo and Messi, which illustrates how highly he was rated by his peers.
Spain's top international goalscorers of all time
Here are the very best in front of goal for La Roja…
ByCharlie SmithMar 24, 2024