Spain's 5 most entertaining footballers of all time
Spain have been one of the frontrunners in international football since the turn of the millennium. With a fast-paced, pass-and-move style called 'tiki-taka', they conquered Europe as well as the World in terms of football.
Spain had one of the most successful runs for a national team between 2008-12. They won two consecutive UEFA Euros in 2008 and 2012 and also won the FIFA World Cup in 2010.
On this day in 2012 Spain beat Italy 4-0 to retain the European Championship.
Euro 2008 🏆
World Cup 2010 🏆
Euro 2012 🏆
A historic streak of victories 🌟 https://t.co/WNAf432mXI
Spain's dominance at the highest level was backed by the talents of a fantastic coach in Vicente del Bosque. He built a formidable team for Spain consisting of players mainly playing for either Real Madrid or Barcelona. Special achievements like theirs would not have been possible without special and entertaining players.
On that note, we take a look at the five most entertaining Spanish footballers in history.
#5. Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos Garcia was born in Camas, Spain, in 1986 and began his career at his hometown club before moving to Sevilla's academy. He became a full professional with Sevilla before being spotted and signed by Real Madrid in 2005 for a record €27 million.
With Madrid, Ramos became a legend of the game. The defender won five La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey cups and four UEFA Champions League titles - three of which came back-to-back between 2015-2018. Ramos featured in 671 games for Los Blancos, scoring 101 goals and providing 41 assists - an incredible tally for a defender.
Sergio Ramos' Real Madrid career by numbers:
◉ 671 games
◉ 101 goals
◉ 5x LaLiga
◉ 4x Supercopa
◉ 4x Club World Cup
◉ 4x Champions League
◉ 3x Super Cup
◉ 2x Copa del Rey
He lifted 12 of them as captain. 💪 https://t.co/IqosW9q9jO
Ramos is a combative defender who engages in as many battles on the pitch as he does mind games. He is also known for his notorious streak of getting sent off. Sergio Ramos received a total of 26 red cards in his career - 10 more than any other player for any other club this century.
📒 216 Yellow Cards
📕 26 Red Cards
😅 Hopefully @LaLiga referees will send @SergioRamos a leaving card! https://t.co/25MGH0WHJN
However, he also came up clutch and scored arguably the most important goal of his career in the Champions League final against Atletico Madrid in 2014.
The defender described the moment as his greatest ever, and possibly one of the most important moments in Real Madrid's history.
"After that moment I told my mother that from there I could die peacefully. It's the best—the goal of my career for what it represents not only for me, but for football and for our club"
—@SergioRamos—on his 2014 UCL Final goal ⚽️
(🎥: @ChampionsLeague)
https://t.co/BovUVLSZoM
Ramos currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain in France. He will face his former club Real Madrid in the round of 16 in the Champions League in February.
#4. Raul Gonzalez
Raul Gonzalez Blanco was born in Madrid, Spain, in 1977 and began his career with San Cristobal. He joined Atletico Madrid soon after, for a span of two years between 1990-92.
However, Atleti had to shut down their academy in 1993 due to financial constraints and the-then 16-year-old Raul joined Real Madrid's academy. Little did Atleti know what they had lost.
Raul made 741 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring 324 goals and providing 133 assists in all competitions. He was Real Madrid's all-time top scorer until Cristiano Ronaldo overtook him a few years ago. The Spain striker won six La Liga titles and three Champions League titles with Los Blancos during his tenure.
He played an integral part in Madrid's UCL triumphs in 2000 and 2002, providing 12 and nine goal contributions, respectively, in the winning years.
Raul for Real Madrid,
99/00 UCL,
• 10 G + 3 A, 13 G/A in 15 apps
• 9 G/A in Group
• QF: 2 G (3-2 agg)
• SF: 1 A (3-2 agg)
• Final: 1 G (3-0 W)
01/02 UCL,
• 6 G + 3 A, 9 G/A in 12 apps
• 5 G/A in Group
• QF: 1 G (3-2 agg)
• SF: 2 G (3-1 agg)
• Final: 1 G (2-1 W)
🐐 https://t.co/i1xu4kyUtg
As his record shows, Raul proved himself to be one of the greatest big-game players ever. He became Real Madrid's all-time top scorer with a brace against their bitter rivals Atletico Madrid in 2009.
📅 #OnThisDay 12 years ago, Raul became Real Madrid's all-time top goalscorer with this brace 👑
https://t.co/HCRBjNwvQ4
Raul left Real Madrid for German club Schalke 04 in 2010. He enjoyed a smooth stint with the club, scoring 40 goals and assisting 23 in 98 games. The Spain striker won the DFB Pokal and the DFL-Supercup with Schalke in 2011.
On this day in 2010, a football giant joined the Bundesliga.
Raul at Schalke 🙌
📹 @S04
https://t.co/uhs6tW4a47
Raul currently works as Real Madrid Castilla's manager in Spain.