All-time Spain best XI – Spain national team is one of the best national football team in the Europe. They also become the only national team to win three consecutive major titles (Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, Euro 2012). Many considered those Spanish squad as one of the best team in football history.
Overall Spain won 1 World Cup (2010), 3 Euro (1964, 2008, 2012) and 1 UEFA Nations League (2023). Spain also finish as runner-up in Olympics 1920, Euro 1984, Confederations Cup 2013 and Nations League 2021.
Before 2000s, Spain only won 1 trophy, which is Euro 1964. Held in their own country, Spain won their first major trophy. Some key players from that era are Luis Suarez Miramontes, Amancio Amaro and Jose Angel Iribar.
Although Spain not getting any major title between 80s and 90s, they still have some great players in this era. Players like Andoni Zubizarreta, Fernando Hierro, Pep Guardiola, Luis Enrique and Raul Gonzalez are among footballers world greatest because of their contribution with their own clubs.
Spain have their golden generation in modern era. Starting from 2008 until 2012, Spain national team considered among the best in football history, winning three major award consecutively (Euro 2008, World Cup 2010, Euro 2012).
Players like Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Xavi, Andres Iniesta or David Villa are the main protagonist of Spanish success in this era. While others like Gerard Pique, Joan Capdevila, Marcos Senna, Sergio Busquets, Xabi Alonso, David Silva, Cesc Fabregas or Fernnado Torres also have their moments.
All-Time Spain Best XI
Of course it’s hard to select 11 of best Spanish players of all time in each position. Below is our selection of all-time Spain national team best XI.
GOALKEEPER
1. Iker Casillas
Date of birth : 20 May 1981
Position : Goalkeeper
Caps / goals : 167 caps / 0 goal
Club career :
- 1998-2015 – Real Madrid (Spain)
- 2015-2020 – Porto (Portugal)
Major tournament participations :
- FIFA World Cup 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014
- UEFA Euro 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016
- FIFA Confederations Cup 2009, 2013
Substitutes :
- Ricardo Zamora (1920-1936), 46 caps
- Andoni Zubizarreta (1985-1988), 126 caps
- Jose Angel Iribar (1964-1976), 49 caps
- Santiago Canizares (1993-2006), 46 caps
DEFENDER
2. Fernando Hierro
Date of birth : 23 March 1968
Position : Center-back, sweeper, defensive midfielder
Caps / goals : 89 caps / 29 goals
Club career :
- 1987-1989 – Valladolid (Spain)
- 1989-2003 – Real Madrid (Spain)
- 2003-2004 – Al Rayyan (Qatar)
- 2004-2005 – Bolton Wanderers (England)
Major tournament participations :
- FIFA World Cup 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002
- UEFA Euro 1996, 2000
3. Carles Puyol
Date of birth : 13 April 1978
Position : Center-back, right-back
Caps / goals : 100 caps / 3 goals
Club career :
- 1996-2014 – Barcelona (Spain)
Major tournament participations :
- FIFA World Cup 2002, 2006, 2010
- UEFA Euro 2004, 2008
- FIFA Confederations Cup 2009
4. Sergio Ramos
Date of birth : 30 March 1986
Position : Center-back, right-back
Caps / goals : 180 caps / 23 goals
Club career :
- 2003-2005 – Sevilla (Spain)
- 2005-2021 – Real Madrid (Spain)
- 2023-2023 – PSG (France)
Major tournament participations :
- FIFA World Cup 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018
- UEFA Euro 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020
- FIFA Confederations Cup 2009, 2013
5. Jose Antonio Camacho
Date of birth : 8 June 1955
Position : Left-back
Caps / goals : 81 caps / 0 goal
Club career :
- 1972-1973 – Albacete (Spain)
- 1973-1974 – Castilla (Spain)
- 1974-1989 – Real Madrid (Spain)
Major tournament participations :
- FIFA World Cup 1982, 1986
- UEFA Euro 1984, 1988
Substitutes :
- Gerard Pique (2009-2018), 102 caps, 5 goals
- Miguel Angel Nadal (1991-2002), 62 caps, 3 goals
- Jacinto Quincoces (1928-1936), 25 caps, 0 goal
- Manuel Sanchis (1986-1992), 48 caps, 1 goal
- Carlos Marchena (2002-2011), 69 caps, 2 goals
- Dani Carvajal (2014-current), 36 caps, 0 goal
- Jordi Alba (2011-current), 93 caps, 9 goals
- Rafael Gordillo (1978-1988), 75 caps, 3 goals
- Joan Capdevila (2002-2011), 60 caps, 4 goals
MIDFIELDER
6. Xavi Hernandez
Date of birth : 25 January 1980
Position : Midfielder
Caps / goals : 133 caps / 13 goals
Club career :
- 1997-2015 – Barcelona (Spain)
- 2015-2019 – Al-Sadd (Qatar)
Major tournament participations :
- FIFA World Cup 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014
- UEFA Euro 2004, 2008, 2012
- FIFA Confederations Cup 2009, 2013
7. Andres Iniesta
Date of birth : 11 May 1984
Position : Midfielder
Caps / goals : 131 caps / 13 goals
Club career :
- 2001-2018 – Barcelona (Spain)
- 2018-2023 – Vissel Kobe (Qatar)
Major tournament participations :
- FIFA World Cup 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018
- UEFA Euro 2008, 2012, 2016
- FIFA Confederations Cup 2009, 2013
8. Luis Suarez Miramontes
Date of birth : 2 May 1935
Position : Attacking midfielder, right winger
Caps / goals : 32 caps / 14 goals
Club career :
- 1954-1954 – Deportivo La Coruna (Spain)
- 1954-1955 – Espana Industrial (Spain)
- 1955-1961 – Barcelona (Spain)
- 1961-1970 – Inter Milan (Italy)
- 1970-1973 – Sampdoria (Italy)
Major tournament participations :
- FIFA World Cup 1962, 1966
- UEFA Euro 1964
9. Paco Gento
Date of birth : 21 October 1933
Position : Left winger
Caps / goals : 43 caps / 5 goals
Club career :
- 1952-1953 – Racing Santander (Spain)
- 1953-1971 – Real Madrid (Spain)
Major tournament participations :
- FIFA World Cup 1962, 1966
Substitutes :
- Xabi Alonso (2003-2014), 114 caps, 16 goals
- Sergio Busquets (2009-2022), 143 caps, 2 goals
- Rodri (2018-current), 43 caps, 1 goal
- Jose Pirri (1966-1978), 41 caps, 16 goals
- Gaizka Mendieta (1999-2002), 40 caps, 8 goals
- Pep Guardiola (1992-2000), 47 caps, 5 goals
- Luis Enrique (1991-2002), 62 caps, 12 goals
- Cesc Fabregas (2006-2016), 110 caps, 15 goals
- David Silva (2006-2018), 125 caps, 35 goals
- Michel (1985-1992), 66 caps, 21 goals
- Amancio Amaro (1962-1974), 42 caps, 11 goals
FORWARD
10. Raul Gonzalez
Date of birth : 27 June 1977
Position : Striker
Caps / goals : 102 caps / 44 goals
Club career :
- 1994-2010 – Real Madrid (Spain)
- 2010-2012 – Schalke (Germany)
- 2012-2014 – Al-Sadd (Qatar)
- 2014-2015 – New York Cosmos (United States)
Major tournament participations :
- FIFA World Cup 1998, 2002, 2006
- UEFA Euro 1996, 2000, 2004
11. David Villa
Date of birth : 3 December 1981
Position : Striker
Caps / goals : 98 caps / 59 goals
Club career :
- 2000-2003 – Sporting Gijon (Spain)
- 2003-2005 – Zaragoza (Spain)
- 2005-2010 – Valencia (Spain)
- 2010-2013 – Barcelona (Spain)
- 2013-2014 – Atletico Madrid (Spain)
- 2014-2018 – New York City (United States)
- 2014 – Melbourne City (Australia) (loan)
- 2019 – Vissel Kobe (Japan)
Major tournament participations :
- FIFA World Cup 2006, 2010, 2014
- UEFA Euro 2008
- FIFA Confederations Cup 2009, 2013
Substitutes :
- Fernando Torres (2003-2014), 110 caps, 38 goals
- Emilio Butragueno (1984-1992), 69 caps, 26 goals
- Telmo Zarra (1945-1951), 20 caps, 20 goals
- Santillana (1975-1985), 56 caps 15 goals
- Fernando Morientes (1998-2007), 47 caps, 27 goals
- Pedro (2010-2017), 65 caps, 17 goals
- Alfredo Di Stefano (1957-1961), 31 caps, 23 goals
Spain National Team All-Time Best XI
| Casillas |
| Ramos – Puyol – Hierro – Camacho |
| Suarez – Xavi – Iniesta – Gento |
| Raul – Villa |
That’s our pick for 11 of greatest Spanish players of all time in each position. What do you think? Write down your pick in comment below.
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