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Spaniards have for long been known for being some of the finest technicians in football. The Spanish national team started dominating the international football realm from the latter half of the first decade of the 21st century.
Midfielders like Xavi, Iniesta, Xabi Alonso, Cesc Fabregas and Busquets, strikers like Fernando Torres and David Villa, defenders like Carles Puyol are some of the most recognizable faces in football from recent times.
Spaniards keep thriving in European top-flights and there are several top players plying their tried in the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga and Ligue 1 among others.
On that note, let's take a look at five of the best Spanish players in world football right now.
Honourable mention: Ansu Fati
Barcelona's internal combustion from the summer seeped into the initial days of the new season. Lionel Messi was not performing at the levels that was expected of him and Griezmann had his own struggles to deal with. That's when the unlikely Ansu Fati stepped up.
The 18-year-old was extremely unfortunate to pick up an injury in early November that has ruled him out for a while now. But until then, Ansu Fati was nearly unstoppable. He had scored five goals and provided two assists from across 10 appearances in the La Liga and Champions League.
The youngster has shown incredible maturity in front of goal and what he lacks in terms of sheer physicality, he makes up for with his technique. He can pick a pass and is a dangerous customer in the final third.
#5 Iago Aspas
Iago Aspas has been tearing it up for Celta Vigo in the La Liga. After just about surviving the drop last season, Celta Vigo are currently ninth on the La Liga table and that's mostly owing to Iago Aspas' exploits in front of goal.
In fact, Iago Aspas has been one of the best players in the La Liga right for a while now. From 13 appearances in the league, Aspas has scored seven goals and provided four assists. That's a direct involvement in 11 goals .
Aspas has kept at it for a few seasons now. He scored 14 goals in the 2019-20 season and hit 20 goals in the season prior to that. He might be 33-years-old but Iago Aspas continues to be trouble.
#4 Dani Carvajal
Could you really fault Real Madrid for turning their backs on Achraf Hakimi even after he did a spectacular job in his loan spell at Borussia Dortmund? People are divided on that but the Blancos' confidence comes from having Dani Carvajal playing at right-back.
Dani Carvajal was out of action for a while earlier this season but he has made a solid comeback and has been one of Real Madrid's standout performers over the last month.
The pacy and aggressive right-back has already raked in two assists in five starts so far. The 28-year-old will walk into the first team setup of most top teams in Europe.
#3 Mikel Merino
Real Sociedad are currently on top of the La Liga table and it is, in no short part, thanks to their midfielders. The 24-year-old midfielder Mikel Merino has been absolutely sensational for La Real alongside veteran David Silva and has been pulling the strings from midfield to perfection.
Mikel Merino plays in the centre of the park and is good at breaking down attacks just as well as he can join in forward forays by virtue of his deft passing. Merino is one of the main reasons why Real Sociedad have become so dangerous every time they break and embark on counter-attacks.
Merino struggled to find a home in the early days of his career but he seems to have settled down at Real Sociedad now. He loves a one-on-one and likes testing the goalkeeper from range. He is definitely one of the best attacking midfielders in the game right now.
#2 Thiago Alcantara
Thiago Alcantara is viewed as a direct successor to the likes of Xavi and Andres Iniesta. He enjoyed an illustrious career at Bayern Munich and decided to move on after their continental treble triumph last season.
One of the finest midfielders on the planet, we haven't seen much of Thiago Alcantara this season after he joined Liverpool as he first contracted the coronavirus and has since been out due to injury.
Thiago Alcantara's vision on the football field is unmatched and he can pick out a pass from anywhere on the field. Arguably the best deep lying playmaker in the world, Liverpool are expected to become even more of a dominant force with the Spaniard in the centre of the field.
#1 Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos is an absolute force on the football pitch. The belligerent Spaniard has had a stellar career and has won five La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions League titles. He has also been one of the highest goalscorers from a defensive position.
He was Real Madrid's second highest goalscorer last season and he is their designated penalty taker. Not one to shy away from a tackle, Ramos also has a reckless streak in him. But when some one is so effective at their craft, minor misgivings can be forgiven.
Ramos has now entered the final months of his contract at Real Madrid and it is not clear whether he will be at the Santiago Bernabeu beyond the next summer. If he leaves, he is certain to leave a void in the heart of the Real Madrid defence that is going to be extremely difficult to be filled.
