Greatest XI that opted against representing Spain at national level

The Spanish national team has always had a number of highly-talented players in its side. To date, they have won the FIFA World Cup (2010) once and the UEFA European Championship on two occasions (2008, 2012). However, they could have won a lot more silverware had some incredible players chosen to play for them instead of their first nationalities.

Several professional players have at least two choices when it comes to representing a country. As per the FIFA regulations, a player can play for a particular nation if he was born in it, or if his parents or grandparents were born there.

Alternatively, if a player, after turning 18, has spent more than five years in the country, that could also allow him to represent them. Taking this into account, there are a number of players from the current generation that could have chosen to play for Spain.

On that note, let us take a look at a starting XI of Spain consisting of players that could have chosen to play for them.

GK- Keylor Navas

Costa Rica v United States: 2022 World Cup Qualifying

Keylor Navas has arguably been the best keeper in European football over the last six to seven years. He won three consecutive Champions League titles with Real Madrid between 2016 to 2018. He is currently on his way to secure his second Ligue 1 title with Paris Saint-Germain.

But his rise to fame came after his impressive performances at the 2014 World Cup with Costa Rica. The shot-stopper kept clean sheets against both England and Italy in the group stages. He then helped his side win the penalty shoot-out in the Round 16 against Greece.

Although they failed to get past Netherlands in the quarter-finals, it was a glorious tournament for them, thanks to Navas. But in 2014, he also gained Spanish citizenship and was eligible to change nationalities. But he stuck with the South American side despite arguably having a better chance of winning silverware with La Roja.

Spain have struggled in the goalkeeping department since the retirement of Iker Casillas. Navas could have resolved the issue, but perhaps it was not meant to be.

RB- Achraf Hakimi

Manchester City v Paris Saint-Germain: Group A - UEFA Champions League

Achraf Hakimi is currently one of the best right-backs in world football and his recent displays at the AFCON for Morocco are evidence of it. But it took some time for him to apply his potential and turn into a world-beater.

A lack of chances at Real Madrid pushed him to secure a loan move away from the club. He excelled at Borussia Dortmund on loan, which led to Inter Milan permanently sealing a move for him in the summer of 2020.

After delivering the league title in his debut season with the Nerrazzuri, PSG brought him to France on a big-money move last summer. Amidst all of this, his performances with Morocco have not gone unnoticed as he has been representing them regularly over the last couple of years.

However, the 23-year-old star could have chosen to represent Spain instead as he was born in the city of Madrid. Sergi Roberto, Dani Carvajal and Cesar Azpilicueta were competing for that role so the chances looked bleak for the African sensation.

Regardless, Hakimi chose otherwise and is currently one of the most important players in the Moroccan national team.

CB- Jose Maria Gimenez

Atletico Madrid v FC Porto: Group B - UEFA Champions League

Jose Maria Gimenez is one of the best centre-backs in La Liga at the moment. The South American ace arrived at Atletico Madrid in 2013 and has since been part of multiple title winning campaigns at the club.

Alongside some experienced heads, he developed into a fine young talent before becoming a leader at the back in recent seasons. However, he developed a lot of his game by also establishing himself as a Uruguayn international over the last five years.

But in 2016, Gimenez had the chance to play for the Spanish national team after gaining citizenship in the country. However, Sergio Ramos and Gerard Pique consistently dominated over that role. Hence, it would have been hard for the 27-year-old ace to play regularly for La Roja.

Gimenez continued with his duties for Uruguay and is arguably the best defender in their national setup today.

CB- Lucas Hernandez

FC Bayern München v VfL Wolfsburg - Bundesliga

Lucas Hernandez is one of the few players who started his professional career in Spain but always had his heart set on playing for his homeland, France. The versatile defender developed well at Atletico Madrid's academy before honing his talent under Diego Simeone in the first-team setup.

In 2019, Bayern Munich signed him for a club-record fee of €80 million. He has since won a Champions League trophy and two Bundesliga titles.

His accolades with France are not too shabby either. In 2018, he formed part of the French side that won the World Cup. He also lifted the UEFA Nations League trophy with them in 2021.

Although Spain do have decent talent in centre-back roles, Hernandez could have provided verstatility to the ranks.

Nevertheless, the Bayern Munich star does not appear to regret his decision, given the amount of silverware he already has to his name.

LB- Theo Hernandez

Theo Hernandez is the brother of Lucas Hernandez and the second member of his family who could have represented Spain. The France international, like his brother, initially played for Atletico Madrid. However, in 2017, he joined rivals Real Madrid.

He could not manage a whole load of game-time in the Spanish capital and after a couple of loan moves, he joined AC Milan permanently in 2019. The left-back is now playing a pivotal role in helping the Rossoneri win the Scudetto.

While Theo has not yet established himself with France, he starred in their UEFA Nations League victory in October 2021. There was a time when he did consider playing for Spain but he eventually chose to play for Les Bleus.

La Roja could have made Theo their potential starting left-back but the 24-year-old ace would not have been disappointed with his decision.

CDM- Casemiro

Brazil v Colombia: Group B - Copa America Brazil 2021

Casemiro is one of the best central defensive midfielders of his generation and has won several trophies at Real Madrid to prove the same. The 29-year-old ace joined the La Liga giants in 2015 from Porto and has not looked back since.

His story with the national team could be deemed to be similar. Although he did get Spanish citizenship in 2019, Casemiro has never considered shifting nationalities. The Brazil-born superstar always knew that his country lacked a box-to-box metronome in his role and he capitalized on the situation.

Since then, he has been one of the first names on the team sheet for the Selecao. Moreover, Spain have also had players like Javi Martinez, Sergio Busquets, Thiago Alcantara and Rodri as defensive midfielders.

Hence, while Casemiro is a genuine talent, Spain have had their own geniuses in that role for quite a while now.

CM- Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has been one of the better players in Serie A this season. The midfielder has been at Lazio for over six years and has arguably been their best player during that period.

But he, too, opted against representing Spain despite being born in the country. However, it was a pretty straight-forward decision for him. He started playing professional football in Serbia and also did well at the youth level for the national team. Understandably, he joined the senior team when the opportunity presented itself.

Playing for Spain was on the cards but La Roja already had several talented players back then and continues to do so.

Although playing for Serbia is not the most glorious challenge, Milinkovic-Savic will have few doubts about his decision to play for the Eagles.

CM- Federico Valverde

Uruguay v Ecuador - FIFA World Cup 2022 Qatar Qualifier

The second Uruguayan international on the list, Fede Valverde is one of the most recent players to have decided against representing Spain. The midfielder obtained Spanish citizenship last year but has continued to represent his beloved South American-based country.

The youngster first came to prominence in his second season at Real Madrid as he started to garner more game-time in the starting XI. He helped Los Blancos win La Liga in 2020 and is doing the same this season.

His contributions with Uruguay are no less as his workhorse attitude and stamina-filled performances have often benefitted them. Given his age and potential, Spain would have liked for him to join them but things failed to pan out in that manner.

Valverde will now be vying for a spot at the 2022 World Cup with the men in blue, but only time will tell if he regrets not changing nationalities.

LW- Yannick Carrasco

Atletico Madrid v Liverpool FC: Group B - UEFA Champions League

Yannick Carrasco has blown hot & cold throughout his professional career. He was an exciting talent at Genk and AS Monaco but things have not been all rosy at Atletico Madrid. While he has scored in a Champions League final, he also left for China in 2018 before returning to the Spanish club 18 months later.

Regardless, his performances for Belgium have rarely dithered. Despite several managers opting for a 3-4-3 formation with the Red Devils, they have all found a way to incorporate Carrasco into their squad.

He has often played as a left-wing back, due to the amount of quality in the traditional winger role. But he has performed those duties impeccably.

The winger also had the chance to represent Spain after gaining citizenship a couple of years after joining Atletico.

However, being born and brought up in Belgium, coupled with opportunities in the national team, Carrasco was only going to play for one country. Spain do currently have their own bunch of talented wingers, hence, they might not consider the 28-year-old ace's decision all that big a blow.

RW- Lionel Messi

Spain's biggest ever regret could be not managing to convince Lionel Messi to join the national setup when they had the chance. After relocating to the country to progress in his career with Barcelona, the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner could have represented either Argentina or Spain. It is important to note that the player's grandfather was born in Balaguer, Spain.

Barcelona's director of football, Carlos Rexach, also pushed the Spanish Federation to secure the future of the player. But the legendary forward opted against it as he wanted to play for the country he and his family hailed from.

Since making that decision, Messi has shed sweat and tears to win a trophy with Argentina. It would have been hard for him to see some of his club teammates lift the European Championship twice and the World Cup.

However, last year, the sensational attacker led his country to glory in the Copa America. It was a competition he narrowly missed out on twice before eventually winning it.

Spain could have flourished with Messi and gone on to win more silverware. But few would argue with the four-time Champions League winner about his decision to stay with Argentina.

ST- Angel Correa

Villarreal CF v Club Atletico de Madrid - La Liga Santander

Although not the most formidable name on the list, Angel Correa is certainly somebody Spain could have done with in their national team. The centre-forward joined Atletico Madrid in 2015 and gained Spanish citizenship a few years later.

But like Messi, Correa chose to play for his home country, Argentina. The 26-year-old ace performed well at youth level for the South American nation and also earned his first senior cap in 2015. However, he has only made 19 appearances since then and could be regretting his decision of opting against representing Spain.

La Roja have not had a decent striker since David Villa and Fernando Torres. Alvaro Morata has not been able to establish himself completely while Dani Olmo is the next hope for the country.

Correa is a fine talent and could have added quality to the ranks of the Spanish national team. But playing for your native land has its own pride and the centre-forward might be content with that.

About the author

Varun Pai is a sports content writer with a couple of years of experience in the sports industry. He is currently producing football listicles on a freelance basis.

Varun has graduated with a Bachelors degree in Accounting and Finance (BAF) and also completed his Diploma in Sports and Event Management recently.

An ardent sports fan, Varun is keen on delivering quality content consistently. He wants to establish himself in the fields of sports journalism, operations, and content management.

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Edited by Aditya Singh