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| David Silva and Fernando Torres |
Please also see my All-Time World Cup Team Index.
Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla, Extremadura, Murica
Germany All-Time Team Without Bayern Munich Players
Germany All-Time Team Without Bayern Munich Players
Until recent years, the Spanish national team did not do well in the international tournaments. They won Euro 1964 and reached the Final of Euro 1984, but they failed to go past the quarterfinal of any other tournament. Then, in 2008, they won Euro 2008, South Africa 2010 and Euro 2012, becoming the first nation to win three straight major tournaments. The Spanish domestic football, however, is dominated by two major clubs. At the time of writing, Real Madrid and Barcelona have won more La Liga titles combined than the rest of the clubs in Spain. Most of the top Spanish players in the last 50 years spent time playing for either clubs. Only two players from my Spain Greatest All-Time Team did not play for either Real Madrid and Barcelona. They are Rafael Aranzadi "Pichichi" and Telmo Zarra, both from Atlethe Bilbao and Basque.
This is my all-time team for Spain without players from Real Madrid and Barcelona. If there were an All-Time World Cup, this would be the 23 players I would bring to the tournament.
Team
GK: Luis Arconada
Luis Arconada played his entire career with Real Sociedad, capturing back-to-back La Liga titles from 1980 to 1982. he also helped them to o a semifinal run in the European Cup. He was capped 68 times, helping Spain to reach the final of the European Championship. His blunder, however, in the Final caused Spain to lose in that Final against France. He also went to the 1978 and 1982 World Cups as well as Euro 1980.
GK: José Ángel Iribar
José Ángel Iribor spent his entire career with Athletic Bilbao from 1962 to 1980, except a season at the club's feeder club, CD Basconia. He played over 600 games in a 18 year career. For the national team, he played 49 times for Spain between 1964 and 1976. He was Spain's starting keeper at the 1964 European Championship as Spain won their first ever major trophy. He was also Spain's starting keeper at the World Cup Finals in 1966.
GK: Ignacio Eizaguirre
Ignacio Eizaguirre started his career after the Spanish Civil War with Real Sociedad. He played one season and moved to Valencia in 1940. He won three La Liga and two Ricardo Zamora trophies for being the best goalkeeper of the season. He was the starting keeper at the WC finals in 1950.
RB: Feliciano Rivilla
Feliciano Rivilla was an all-time great with Atletico Madrid. He started playing football with Real Ávila CF, moving to Real Murcia at the age of 17. In 1954, he joined Atletico Madrid, where he played until 1968. For Spain, he won the European Championship in 1964 with Spain as a starter, and was a part of two World Cup Finals in 1962 and 1966.
CB: Andoni Goikoetxea
Nicknamed "The Butcher" for his brutal style of play, Andoni Goikoetxea played mainly for Athletic Bilboa, but also with Atletico Madrid. He was a part of Javier Clemente's Bilboa team that won back-to-back league title from 1982 to 1984. However, he was best remembered for his feud with Diego Maradona. he almost ended Maradona's career with a tackle in 1983. A year later, he became the focal point of the infamous brawl between Barcelona and Athletic Bilboa at the Final of Copa del Rey.
This is my all-time team for Spain without players from Real Madrid and Barcelona. If there were an All-Time World Cup, this would be the 23 players I would bring to the tournament.
Team
GK: Luis Arconada
Luis Arconada played his entire career with Real Sociedad, capturing back-to-back La Liga titles from 1980 to 1982. he also helped them to o a semifinal run in the European Cup. He was capped 68 times, helping Spain to reach the final of the European Championship. His blunder, however, in the Final caused Spain to lose in that Final against France. He also went to the 1978 and 1982 World Cups as well as Euro 1980.
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| Luis Arconada |
José Ángel Iribor spent his entire career with Athletic Bilbao from 1962 to 1980, except a season at the club's feeder club, CD Basconia. He played over 600 games in a 18 year career. For the national team, he played 49 times for Spain between 1964 and 1976. He was Spain's starting keeper at the 1964 European Championship as Spain won their first ever major trophy. He was also Spain's starting keeper at the World Cup Finals in 1966.
GK: Ignacio Eizaguirre
Ignacio Eizaguirre started his career after the Spanish Civil War with Real Sociedad. He played one season and moved to Valencia in 1940. He won three La Liga and two Ricardo Zamora trophies for being the best goalkeeper of the season. He was the starting keeper at the WC finals in 1950.
RB: Feliciano Rivilla
Feliciano Rivilla was an all-time great with Atletico Madrid. He started playing football with Real Ávila CF, moving to Real Murcia at the age of 17. In 1954, he joined Atletico Madrid, where he played until 1968. For Spain, he won the European Championship in 1964 with Spain as a starter, and was a part of two World Cup Finals in 1962 and 1966.
CB: Andoni Goikoetxea
Nicknamed "The Butcher" for his brutal style of play, Andoni Goikoetxea played mainly for Athletic Bilboa, but also with Atletico Madrid. He was a part of Javier Clemente's Bilboa team that won back-to-back league title from 1982 to 1984. However, he was best remembered for his feud with Diego Maradona. he almost ended Maradona's career with a tackle in 1983. A year later, he became the focal point of the infamous brawl between Barcelona and Athletic Bilboa at the Final of Copa del Rey.
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| Andoni Goikoetxea |
CB: Carlos Marchena
Carlos Marchena played for Benfica, Sevilla, Valencia, Villareal and Deportivo La Coruna. His peak came with Valencia, where he won the Double in 2002-2003 season. For the national team, he had 69 caps. He was a starter at European Championship in 2008 where Spain won its first major trophy since 1964. He also played at Euro 2004 and two World Cup Finals.
CB/DM: Javi Martínez
In 2006, Javi Martinez joined Atletico Bilboa. In 2012, he signed with Bayern Munich for €40 million, going on to win seven consecutive Bundesliga titles as well as the 2013 Champions League. A Spain international since 2010, Martínez was a member of the squads that won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012, and also played at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
LB: Isacio Calleja
Calleja is a long term member of Atletico Madrid. Safe for a very brief loan spell with CD Guadalajara in the third division, Calleja spent his entire 14-year professional career with Atlético Madrid. He won back-to-back Copa del rey from 1959 to 1961. In 1962, he won the Cup Winners' Cup. He had 13 caps for Spain. Calleja helped the national side win the 1964 European Nations' Cup on home soil.
LB: Joan Capdevila
At the club level, Joan Capedevila started his career with Espanyol in 1998. He later played for Atletico Madrid, Deportivo la Coruna, Villarreal and Benfica. The peak of his career was with Deportivo la Coruna and Villarreal. He was capped 60 times for Spain, in a period where Spain won the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 European Championship. He was their disputed starting leftback in that era.
DM: Belauste
Known for his physical size, Belauste was an early star of Athletic Bilbao and Spain. He captained Spain to win a silver medal at the 1920 Olympics, but he almost did not pick up his medal because he was a Basque nationalist. In the match against Sweden, he reportedly shouted "¡A mí el pelotón, Sabino, que los arrollo!". That was credited for earning the nickname "Spanish Fury" for the national team.
Carlos Marchena played for Benfica, Sevilla, Valencia, Villareal and Deportivo La Coruna. His peak came with Valencia, where he won the Double in 2002-2003 season. For the national team, he had 69 caps. He was a starter at European Championship in 2008 where Spain won its first major trophy since 1964. He also played at Euro 2004 and two World Cup Finals.
CB/DM: Javi Martínez
In 2006, Javi Martinez joined Atletico Bilboa. In 2012, he signed with Bayern Munich for €40 million, going on to win seven consecutive Bundesliga titles as well as the 2013 Champions League. A Spain international since 2010, Martínez was a member of the squads that won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012, and also played at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
CB/DM: DM: Antonio Puchades
From 1949 to 1958, Antonio Puchades played for his hometown Valencia, his only club. He won the only league title in his debut season, but he only played 4 games that season. For Spain, he received 23 caps between 1949 and 1954, and went to the 1950 World Cup Finals, starting every game. Spain finished 4th in Brazil. He was born in 1925.
LB: Isacio Calleja
Calleja is a long term member of Atletico Madrid. Safe for a very brief loan spell with CD Guadalajara in the third division, Calleja spent his entire 14-year professional career with Atlético Madrid. He won back-to-back Copa del rey from 1959 to 1961. In 1962, he won the Cup Winners' Cup. He had 13 caps for Spain. Calleja helped the national side win the 1964 European Nations' Cup on home soil.
LB: Joan Capdevila
At the club level, Joan Capedevila started his career with Espanyol in 1998. He later played for Atletico Madrid, Deportivo la Coruna, Villarreal and Benfica. The peak of his career was with Deportivo la Coruna and Villarreal. He was capped 60 times for Spain, in a period where Spain won the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 European Championship. He was their disputed starting leftback in that era.
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| Joan Capdevila |
Known for his physical size, Belauste was an early star of Athletic Bilbao and Spain. He captained Spain to win a silver medal at the 1920 Olympics, but he almost did not pick up his medal because he was a Basque nationalist. In the match against Sweden, he reportedly shouted "¡A mí el pelotón, Sabino, que los arrollo!". That was credited for earning the nickname "Spanish Fury" for the national team.
DM: Marcos Senna
Before 2002, Marcos Senna played for various clubs in Brazil. In 2002, he joined Villarreal in La Liga. He stayed there until 2013. He helped the club to reach the semifinal of the Champions' League in 2006. Born in Brazil, he became a Spanish citizen in 2006 and played for Spain internationally. He went to the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany. He also helped Spain to win the European Championship in 2008 as a starting defensive midfielder.
DM/CM: David Albelda
Except for two loan spells, David Albelda played his entire career with Valencia. He was the heart and soul of the team that won two legaue title, an UEFA Cup and two runnerup medals at the Champions' league. He was known for his midfield partnership with Ruben Baraja. He also served as their captain from 2001. He was capped 51 times for Spain. He went to two World Cup Finals and a single European Championship. He narrowly missed the European Championship in 2008, where Spain won their first major trophy since 1964.
AM: Julen Guerrero
In 1992, he made his debut with Athletic Bilbao. where he scored 28 goals in his first season. He was awarded the New Spanish Player of the Year by El País in 1993, and won the Spanish Footballer of the Year by both Don Balón and El País the following year. However, his form dropped after 1997-1998 season. In 1993, when still only 19, Guerrero made his debut for Spain. He went on to play 41 games and score 13 goals. He went to the 1994 and 1998 World Cup Finals, and Euro 1996.
Before 2002, Marcos Senna played for various clubs in Brazil. In 2002, he joined Villarreal in La Liga. He stayed there until 2013. He helped the club to reach the semifinal of the Champions' League in 2006. Born in Brazil, he became a Spanish citizen in 2006 and played for Spain internationally. He went to the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany. He also helped Spain to win the European Championship in 2008 as a starting defensive midfielder.
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| Senna |
Except for two loan spells, David Albelda played his entire career with Valencia. He was the heart and soul of the team that won two legaue title, an UEFA Cup and two runnerup medals at the Champions' league. He was known for his midfield partnership with Ruben Baraja. He also served as their captain from 2001. He was capped 51 times for Spain. He went to two World Cup Finals and a single European Championship. He narrowly missed the European Championship in 2008, where Spain won their first major trophy since 1964.
AM: Julen Guerrero
In 1992, he made his debut with Athletic Bilbao. where he scored 28 goals in his first season. He was awarded the New Spanish Player of the Year by El País in 1993, and won the Spanish Footballer of the Year by both Don Balón and El País the following year. However, his form dropped after 1997-1998 season. In 1993, when still only 19, Guerrero made his debut for Spain. He went on to play 41 games and score 13 goals. He went to the 1994 and 1998 World Cup Finals, and Euro 1996.
AM/LM: David Silva
David Silva became a starter at Valencia in 2006 which forced Palbo Aimar to leave the club. In 2010, he joined Manchester City helping the club to win their first Preimership in over 40 years. For Spain, he had over 120 caps from 2006 onward. He was a key player throughout the period as Spain won the "triple crown": two European Championship and a World Cup. He also represented Spain at every major tournament from 2008 onward.
AM: Juan Carlos Valeron
Juan Carlos Valeron started his career with La Palmas. He played for Mallocra and Atletico Madrid before he moving to Deportivo La Coruna, where he would play 13 seasons between 2000 and 2013. He was widely considered to be one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, but injuries had limited his career. He only played 46 times for Spain between 1998 and 2005. He went to the Euro 2000, the World Cup Finals in 2002 and Euro 2004.
RW: Jose Ufarte
Born in Spain, but Jose Ufarte moved to Brazil as a child. He started with Flamengo and Corinthians in Brazil before he returned home and signed with Atletico Madrid. He played on the great Atletico Madrid side of the 1960's. He later played with Racing Santander. He earned 16 caps. Ufarte represented Spain at the 1966 World Cup in England.
LW/FW: Joaquin Peiro
Joaquin Peiro is a legend at Atletico Madrid. He starred as his hometown club won back-to-back Copa del Rey from 1959 to 1961 and the Cup Winners' Cup in 1962. In 1962, he moved to play for Torino in Italy. Then, in 1964, he joined Inter Milan and won the European Cup in 1965 as a member "la Grande Inter". He later played and captained Roma. He had 12 caps in a 10 year period.
LW: Agustin Gainza
Agustín Gaínza is one of Atletico Bilboa's greatest players. He spent his entire career with Athletic Bilbao, winning 10 major titles between 1940 and 1959. When he retired, he was the club's appearance record holder. He won 33 caps and was the captain of Spain in the 1950 World Cup Finals in Brazil, where they finished 4th.
ST: Rafael Moreno Aranzadi "Pichichi"
The award for la Liga top-scorer is named after him. He scored 240 goals in 170 matches for Athletic Bilbao. He won 4 Copa del Rey. In 1920, Pichichi was a member of the very first Spain national team that played at the Summer Olympic Games in Belgium. He earned five senior caps during one month, his debut coming on 28 August in a 1–0 win against Denmark.
David Silva became a starter at Valencia in 2006 which forced Palbo Aimar to leave the club. In 2010, he joined Manchester City helping the club to win their first Preimership in over 40 years. For Spain, he had over 120 caps from 2006 onward. He was a key player throughout the period as Spain won the "triple crown": two European Championship and a World Cup. He also represented Spain at every major tournament from 2008 onward.
AM: Juan Carlos Valeron
Juan Carlos Valeron started his career with La Palmas. He played for Mallocra and Atletico Madrid before he moving to Deportivo La Coruna, where he would play 13 seasons between 2000 and 2013. He was widely considered to be one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, but injuries had limited his career. He only played 46 times for Spain between 1998 and 2005. He went to the Euro 2000, the World Cup Finals in 2002 and Euro 2004.
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| Juan Carlos Valeron |
Born in Spain, but Jose Ufarte moved to Brazil as a child. He started with Flamengo and Corinthians in Brazil before he returned home and signed with Atletico Madrid. He played on the great Atletico Madrid side of the 1960's. He later played with Racing Santander. He earned 16 caps. Ufarte represented Spain at the 1966 World Cup in England.
LW/FW: Joaquin Peiro
Joaquin Peiro is a legend at Atletico Madrid. He starred as his hometown club won back-to-back Copa del Rey from 1959 to 1961 and the Cup Winners' Cup in 1962. In 1962, he moved to play for Torino in Italy. Then, in 1964, he joined Inter Milan and won the European Cup in 1965 as a member "la Grande Inter". He later played and captained Roma. He had 12 caps in a 10 year period.
LW: Agustin Gainza
Agustín Gaínza is one of Atletico Bilboa's greatest players. He spent his entire career with Athletic Bilbao, winning 10 major titles between 1940 and 1959. When he retired, he was the club's appearance record holder. He won 33 caps and was the captain of Spain in the 1950 World Cup Finals in Brazil, where they finished 4th.
ST: Fernando Torres
Fernando Torres started his career with Atletico Madrid in 2001, where he became the captain at age 19. In 2007, he moved to Liverpool FC and became a big star in England. In 2011, Chelsea allegedly broke the British transfer record to buy him. He was a part of the Champions' league winning team in 2012. For the national team, he was a part of the generation that won the World Cup in 2010 and two European Championships (2008 and 2012). At Euro 2012, he was the top-scorer. |
| Fernando Torres |
The award for la Liga top-scorer is named after him. He scored 240 goals in 170 matches for Athletic Bilbao. He won 4 Copa del Rey. In 1920, Pichichi was a member of the very first Spain national team that played at the Summer Olympic Games in Belgium. He earned five senior caps during one month, his debut coming on 28 August in a 1–0 win against Denmark.
ST: Isidro Langara
Langara was a star player with Real Oviedo before the start of the Spanish Civil War. After the War, he became an exile playing for San Lorenzo in Argentina. He scored 110 goals in 121 games. In 1940, he was the league's joint-top scorer. In 1943, he moved to play for Real Espana in Mexico. He was the league's top scorer. In 1946, he returned to Spain and played fro Real Oviedo again.
ST: Telmo Zarra
Telmo Zarra is probably Athletic Bilbao's greatest player. Zarra signed for Athletic after playing one season for Erandio. He became a prolific goalscorer in his 15 seasons at the club, winning the Pichichi Trophy as the highest scorer in La Liga on six occasions. During his career, Zarra scored a total of 251 league goals, a Spanish record that lasted nearly six decades. His 81 goals in the Copa del Rey remains a record today .He was capped 20 times and scored 20 goals for Spain. He was a member of the 1950 World Cup team.
Honorable Mention
Andrés Palop, Carlos Lapetra, Joseba Etxeberria, Manuel Pablo,
Fernando Llorente, Gabi, Joaquín, Mundo, José Parra, Jesús Navas, Juan Arza, Diego Tristan, Diego Costa, Donato, Isacio Calleja, Santi Cazorla, Raul Tamudo, José Orue, César Azpilicueta, Antonio Biosca, Nacho Monreal, Alberto Górri, Rubén Baraja,Vicente Rodríguez, Jesus Navas.
Squad Explanation
-- Gaizka Mendieta had a loan spell with Barcelona from Lazio. Álvaro Negredo, Juan Mata, etc came from Real Madrid's academy. They were ineligible.
-- Juan Antonio Señor was ruled ineligible because he came from Real Madrid's academy. He never played senior football for the big two.
-- A lot of players came from the Basque region, where the region produced many great footballers before the War.
-- Most players played for Atletico Madrid,Valencia or one of the two clubs in Basque, Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao. Isidro Langara who played with Real Oviedo and San Lorenzo in Argentina and Marcos Senna were the only players selected without ever playing in those clubs. Senna was a naturalised player from Brazil while Isidro Lángara was an exile in South America.
Langara was a star player with Real Oviedo before the start of the Spanish Civil War. After the War, he became an exile playing for San Lorenzo in Argentina. He scored 110 goals in 121 games. In 1940, he was the league's joint-top scorer. In 1943, he moved to play for Real Espana in Mexico. He was the league's top scorer. In 1946, he returned to Spain and played fro Real Oviedo again.
ST: Telmo Zarra
Telmo Zarra is probably Athletic Bilbao's greatest player. Zarra signed for Athletic after playing one season for Erandio. He became a prolific goalscorer in his 15 seasons at the club, winning the Pichichi Trophy as the highest scorer in La Liga on six occasions. During his career, Zarra scored a total of 251 league goals, a Spanish record that lasted nearly six decades. His 81 goals in the Copa del Rey remains a record today .He was capped 20 times and scored 20 goals for Spain. He was a member of the 1950 World Cup team.
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| Telmo Zarra |
Andrés Palop, Carlos Lapetra, Joseba Etxeberria, Manuel Pablo,
Fernando Llorente, Gabi, Joaquín, Mundo, José Parra, Jesús Navas, Juan Arza, Diego Tristan, Diego Costa, Donato, Isacio Calleja, Santi Cazorla, Raul Tamudo, José Orue, César Azpilicueta, Antonio Biosca, Nacho Monreal, Alberto Górri, Rubén Baraja,Vicente Rodríguez, Jesus Navas.
Squad Explanation
-- Only two players from my Spain Greatest All-Time Team did not play for either Real Madrid and Barcelona. They are Rafael Aranzadi "Pichichi" and Telmo Zarra. Fernando Torres and David Silva deserved to be on that team.
-- David Silva is the all-time cap leaders of players who never played for the big two. Fernando Torres also made the top 10 list with 110 caps. The pair finished 3rd (Torres) and 4th (Silva) on the all-time goal scoring list. -- Gaizka Mendieta had a loan spell with Barcelona from Lazio. Álvaro Negredo, Juan Mata, etc came from Real Madrid's academy. They were ineligible.
-- Juan Antonio Señor was ruled ineligible because he came from Real Madrid's academy. He never played senior football for the big two.
-- A lot of players came from the Basque region, where the region produced many great footballers before the War.
-- Most players played for Atletico Madrid,Valencia or one of the two clubs in Basque, Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao. Isidro Langara who played with Real Oviedo and San Lorenzo in Argentina and Marcos Senna were the only players selected without ever playing in those clubs. Senna was a naturalised player from Brazil while Isidro Lángara was an exile in South America.
-- Surprisingly, no player from Sevilla was selected. Jose Reyes and Negredo were ineligible because they played for Real Madrid while Gallego played with Barcelona. Jesus Navas only made honorable mention.
-- Most players played before the 1990's. After 1990's, the big two dominated in the transfer market when the top domestic players ended up playing for them.
-- In his prime, Luis Arconada was considered among the best in Europe. Unfortunately, he was best remembered for his blooper against France in the 1984 European Championship. José Ángel Iribor was Spain's starting keeper at the 1964 European Championship as Spain won their first ever major trophy. I took Ignacio Eizaguirre , but I might consider David De Gea in the future.
-- I selected Andoni Goikoetxea who was known as "The butcher of Bilbao". He had a fierce rivalry with Diego Maradona who was playing for Barcelona at the time. Please not to confuse him with Jon Andoni Goikoetxea who played for Johan Cruyff's Barcelona "Dream Team".
-- Javi Martínez actually did more for Bayern Munich than for the Spanish national team. He edged out DM Rubén Baraja. It would have nice to reunite David Albelda and Rubén Baraja.
-- I went with older defensive midfielders than Gabi, who deserved a place. He also never played for Spain, which I did use as a reason for dropping him.
-- The leftback position was very tough to choose. I took Isacio Calleja and Joan Capdevilla over Agustin Aranzaba and César Azpilicueta. Asier del Horno and Antonio Munozis are also considered for this team.
-- Capdevilla was the only starting player in the 2010 World Cup Final who was not a member of Real Madrid or Barcelona. From most of the all-time list for Spain, Capdevilla was seldom mentioned. He might be underrated because he did not play for the Big Two, I felt. He might be rated better if he played for a higher profile club than Villarreal in his prime.
-- Juan Carlos Valeron's international career would have been better if he played in a different era. He was overshadowed by Gaizka Mendieta and then, later with a group of young playmakers such as Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Andres Iniesta and David Silva.
-- Vicente Rodríguez's peak was cut short by injuries. At his peak, he was one of the best wingers in Europe. I left him off the team.
-- In his prime, Luis Arconada was considered among the best in Europe. Unfortunately, he was best remembered for his blooper against France in the 1984 European Championship. José Ángel Iribor was Spain's starting keeper at the 1964 European Championship as Spain won their first ever major trophy. I took Ignacio Eizaguirre , but I might consider David De Gea in the future.
-- I selected Andoni Goikoetxea who was known as "The butcher of Bilbao". He had a fierce rivalry with Diego Maradona who was playing for Barcelona at the time. Please not to confuse him with Jon Andoni Goikoetxea who played for Johan Cruyff's Barcelona "Dream Team".
-- Javi Martínez actually did more for Bayern Munich than for the Spanish national team. He edged out DM Rubén Baraja. It would have nice to reunite David Albelda and Rubén Baraja.
-- I went with older defensive midfielders than Gabi, who deserved a place. He also never played for Spain, which I did use as a reason for dropping him.
-- The leftback position was very tough to choose. I took Isacio Calleja and Joan Capdevilla over Agustin Aranzaba and César Azpilicueta. Asier del Horno and Antonio Munozis are also considered for this team.
-- Capdevilla was the only starting player in the 2010 World Cup Final who was not a member of Real Madrid or Barcelona. From most of the all-time list for Spain, Capdevilla was seldom mentioned. He might be underrated because he did not play for the Big Two, I felt. He might be rated better if he played for a higher profile club than Villarreal in his prime.
-- Juan Carlos Valeron's international career would have been better if he played in a different era. He was overshadowed by Gaizka Mendieta and then, later with a group of young playmakers such as Xavi, Xabi Alonso, Andres Iniesta and David Silva.
-- Vicente Rodríguez's peak was cut short by injuries. At his peak, he was one of the best wingers in Europe. I left him off the team.
-- Jesus Navas was Sevilla's greatest player, but I already had Jose Ufarte. This team lacked players from Sevilla.
-- I never considered Diego Costa. The players ahead of him were very good. "Pichichi", Fernando Torres, Telmo Zarra and Isidro Langara were all legends in Spain.
-- Telmo Zarra was probably Athletic Bilbao's greatest player. He was one of the best ever from Spain.
-- The award for la Liga top-scorer is named after Rafael Moreno Aranzadi "Pichichi".
Formation
Fernando Torres was going to start alongside Telmo Zarra, but I switched 4-3-3 because I felt that Spain is not going to play 4-4-2. However, The team won't be playing "tiki taka".
-- I never considered Diego Costa. The players ahead of him were very good. "Pichichi", Fernando Torres, Telmo Zarra and Isidro Langara were all legends in Spain.
-- Telmo Zarra was probably Athletic Bilbao's greatest player. He was one of the best ever from Spain.
-- The award for la Liga top-scorer is named after Rafael Moreno Aranzadi "Pichichi".
Fernando Torres was going to start alongside Telmo Zarra, but I switched 4-3-3 because I felt that Spain is not going to play 4-4-2. However, The team won't be playing "tiki taka".
Roberto López Ufarte?
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