We take a look at the We present to you th top 10 Spain Midfielders of all time.
the Spanish national team is home to some of the greatest football players in history, and it has always witnessed the rise of exceptional midfielders who left their golden mark on the world’s most popular game.
Top 10 Spain Midfielders of All Time.. Ranked
1. Xavi
Few players embody Spain’s golden era between 2008 and 2012 quite like Xavi.
A La Masia graduate and the heartbeat of Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona, Xavi was named Player of the Tournament at Euro 2008, played a decisive role in Spain’s 2010 World Cup win, and capped it all off with another European Championship triumph in 2012.
2. Andrés Iniesta
Iniesta delivered the most iconic goal in Spanish football history — the extra-time winner in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands.
Known for his elegance and vision, he reached another peak in Euro 2012, where he was voted Player of the Tournament. At club level, he was a key figure in Barcelona’s treble-winning sides.
3. Sergio Busquets
Promoted by Pep Guardiola in 2008, Busquets quickly established himself for both Barcelona and Spain.
Despite criticism after Spain’s opening defeat at the 2010 World Cup, coach Vicente del Bosque famously said that if he could be any player, it would be Busquets. His intelligence in the defensive midfield role was vital to Spain’s 2010 and 2012 successes, as he went on to collect more than 140 caps.
4. Cesc Fàbregas
A key starter in the Euro 2008 and Euro 2012 finals, Fàbregas also assisted Iniesta’s famous World Cup-winning strike in 2010.
Making his debut in 2006, the former Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea playmaker earned over 100 caps. His passing range and creativity made him a cornerstone of Spain’s golden generation.
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5. Xabi Alonso
The deep-lying playmaker was instrumental in all three of Spain’s major tournament victories.
At Euro 2008, he captained the side in their final group game and later featured in the final. He started at both the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012, famously scoring twice in the quarter-finals against France.
6. David Silva
Silva had limited involvement in Spain’s 2010 World Cup campaign but was central to their European Championship triumphs.
He scored in the Euro 2012 final against Italy, capping off a career that brought him 125 caps and 35 international goals. His blend of creativity and finishing made him one of Spain’s most reliable attacking outlets.
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7. Luis Suárez Miramontes
Known as El Arquitecto for his ability to dictate play, Suárez was a star for Barcelona and later Inter Milan in the 1950s and 60s.
He guided Spain to the 1964 European Nations’ Cup and remains, to this day, the only Spanish player ever to win the Ballon d’Or.
8. Luis Enrique
A versatile and relentless competitor, Luis Enrique represented both Real Madrid and Barcelona before becoming a key figure for Spain.
Renowned for his work rate and leadership, he earned over 60 caps and later returned to manage the national team, guiding La Roja into a new era.
9. Pep Guardiola
Before becoming one of football’s greatest coaches, Guardiola was a highly intelligent deep-lying midfielder.
He won six La Liga titles and a European Cup with Barcelona and earned 47 caps for Spain, though injuries and disagreements with coaches limited his international career.
10. Santi Cazorla
Injuries kept Cazorla out of the 2010 World Cup, but he was part of Spain’s Euro-winning squads in both 2008 and 2012.
A technically gifted midfielder, he collected 81 caps and scored 15 goals for La Roja. Beloved by fans at both Villarreal and Arsenal, his flair and creativity left a lasting mark.
The Top 10 Spanish Midfielders in History… the list does not only showcase world-class talents, but also includes players who shaped the history of entire generations.
