'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Spain is home to some of the greatest footballers of all time. The country is famous for producing some of the best technicians the game has ever seen. In fact, Spanish football has its own unique brand of football and it has always attracted fans thanks to the attractive style of play.
Some of the best players of the modern era have been Spanish internationals
Spain became a dominant force in world football in the 2000s. All of a sudden, La Roja was riddled with some of the best players in the world and for a while, they were simply unstoppable. They played some of the best football we've seen in the modern era and won several major honours along the way.
These players have also had a huge influence over La Liga becoming one of the most popular football leagues in the world. Without further ado, let's take a look at five of the greatest Spanish players of all time.
#5 Iker Casillas
At 182 cms tall, Iker Casillas was not built like most modern goalkeepers. But that didn't stop him from becoming the best in the business. Nicknamed 'San Iker' for his ability to produce incredible 'saves', the former Real Madrid goalkeeper was a colossus between the sticks.
His shot-stopping ability was second to none. He was also a brave goalkeeper with great reflexes and agility. Casillas is one of the most well-rounded goalkeepers of all time with his footwork, positioning and concentration all on point. He was also excellent at one-on-one situations.
Casillas' trophy haul speaks for itself. With Real Madrid, he won three Champions League titles, five La Liga titles, two Copa Del Reys, four Supercopa de Espanas, two UEFA Super Cups, two Intercontinental Cups and one FIFA Club World Cup.
After spending 15 years at Real Madrid, Casillas spent the final years of his career at Porto, where he won the league in 2017-18.
Casillas captained the Spain team that won the FIFA World Cup in 2010. He also won the Euros in 2008 and 2012. His list of individual accolades is almost endless. The Spaniard will go down in history as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time.
#4 Luis Suarez
No, this is not the Uruguayan Luis Suarez we're familiar with. This is the legendary Spaniard who is one of those rare individuals from the country who went and enjoyed the best phase of his career outside Spain at Inter Milan.
El Arquitecto or 'The Architect' is often described as Xavi and Iniesta rolled into one. His incredible passing, creativity and vision made him one of the most technically accomplished midfielders of his generation.
Suarez won the Ballon d'Or in 1960 when he was still a Barcelona player. Inter Milan paid a record £142,000 to sign him a year later. By the time he called it quits in 1973, Suarez had won an incredible amount of trophies.
He led Barcelona to two La Liga titles, two Copa Del Reys and two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups. With Inter Milan, he won three Scudettos, two European Cups and two Intercontinental Cups. His greatest achievement with the national team was winning the Euros in 1964.
#3 Xabi Alonso
It is impossible to find a midfield as talented and star-studded as Spain's from around 2006 to 2012. Spain simply had the best players in the world. Critical to the absolutely mesmerizing form they showed during those years was a certain Xabi Alonso. He will go down in history as one of the best defensive midfielders of all time.
Alonso was as tough as any midfielder we've seen. He was also hardworking and versatile thanks to his excellent technique. He was able to ping pinpoint passes to his teammates and excelled in a deep playmaking role.
He was a destroyer and a regista rolled into one and the teams that he played for have reaped the benefits of the Spaniard's creative attributes. Alonso first turned heads playing for Liverpool. He scored the equalizing goal in the Reds' famous Champions League final win over in Milan at Istanbul in the 2004-05 season.
He won one Champions League title, one FA Cup, one UEFA Super Cup and one FA Community Shield with Liverpool. He won one Champions League title, one La Liga title, two Copa Del Reys and one Supercopa de Espana with Real Madrid. Alonso then moved to Bayern Munich where he won three Bundesliga titles, one DFB-Pokal and DFL Supercup.
Alonso was an important member of the Spanish side that won the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and two European championships in 2008 and 2012.
#2 Xavi Hernandez
Arguably the most masterful playmaker to have ever played the game, everything Xavi did on the football pitch was measured and delivered with grace. One of the most accurate passers in the history of the game, Xavi has the highest percentage of completed passes at World Cups.
Alongside Andres Iniesta, Xavi orchestrated play from midfield for Barcelona and the Spanish national team in a manner that we weren't used to seeing. It was impossible to shake Xavi off the ball. He could upend entire defences with the drop of a shoulder and carve out chances with the most perfectly weighted through-balls.
His consistency, vision and technical finesse make him one of the greatest central midfielders of all time and he enjoyed an illustrious career for both Barcelona and the Spanish national side.
Xavi won eight La Liga titles, four Champions League titles, three Copa Del Reys, six Supercopa de Espanas, two UEFA Super Cups and two FIFA Club World Cups with Barcelona. With La Roja, he won the World Cup in 2010 two European championships in 2008 and 2012.
#1 Andres Iniesta
Andres Iniesta is a timeless hero. Spain won the 2010 FIFA World Cup thanks to his 116th minute goal in the final against Netherlands. A La Masia product like Xavi, Andres Iniesta is one of the most technically proficient players the game has ever seen.
Iniesta could take on the entire opposition midfield all by himself. He is one of the best dribblers in the history of the game. The diminutive midfieldecould carry the ball around no matter how many boots came snapping at his ankles to dispossess him. He was so good he was named in the FIFA FIFPro World XI a whopping nine times in his career.
Iniesta's inventiveness set him apart and he flourished in the role of an attacking midfielder at Barcelona and for Spain. He struck up a wonderful partnership with Lionel Messi and the duo were an absolute treat to watch as they played their natural games.
Iniesta won nine La Liga titles, four Champions League titles, six Copa Del Reys, six Supercopa de Espanas, two UEFA Super Cups and three FIFA Club World Cups with Barcelona. With Spain, he was one of the chief architects of the 2010 World Cup triumph.
Iniesta was also one of the most important players in their triumphant Euro campaigns in 2008 and 2012.
