'%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,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAwf/2gAIAQEAAAAAnAf/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAF/9oACAECEAAAADP/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAG/9oACAEDEAAAAGf/xAAgEAABAwQCAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEABESIgUTFCGC/9oACAEBAAE/AGeZ6UR/EgRmxGaEkJITawVgSddlbGm+AZkIS8nBCXBmE7+r/Vf/xAAWEQEBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAAL/2gAIAQIBAT8Ayrf/xAAZEQEAAgMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAADAAIBIjH/2gAIAQMBAT8AYTKulcdn/9k='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#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.
