Top 5 Spanish players of the decade

Spanish football players have consistently been a dominant set of players in the world of football. These players have been ruling top 5 leagues in the world for some time now. La Furia Roja has gifted the world with players possessing immense talent, character, flare, technicality and more. Be it La Liga or the Premier League, the Spaniards have been running the show.

Players like Paco Gento, Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Raul Gonzalez, Emilio Butragueno, Fernando Hierro, Iker Casillas, David Villa, Alfredo di Stefano and more set the standards of Spanish players high.

Current players like Sergio Ramos, Gerard Pique, David Silva, David de Gea, Isco, Jordi Alba, Marco Asensio, Sergio Busquets, Rodri, Dani Carvajal, Saul Niguez and Koke are living upto their lofty expectations.

Here, we take a look at top 5 Spanish players of the decade.

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5. David de Gea

Manchester United v Aston Villa - Premier League

David de Gea has been Manchester United's best player for quite a while now. Despite the Red Devils' recent struggles, the Spaniard has been the shining ray of hope for the Premier League giants.

The Spaniard won the Premier League in 2013, FA Cup in 2016, EFL Cup in 2017 and UEFA Europa League in 2017. Individually, he won the Premier League Golden Glove in 2018 and has been included in PFA Team of the year on four occasions. Meanwhile, he also made it to the FIFPro XI in 2018.

De Gea has been exceptional for United between the sticks. The Spanish number was largely responsible for his team's results for a few years with his magnificent saves week in week out. The United star has been one of the best keepers in the world for a long time now.

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4. Gerard Pique

Spain v Italy - FIFA 2018 World Cup Qualifier

Gerard Pique has been one of the most consistent players in the world. The Catalan has won 7 La Liga titles, 5 Copa Del Rey titles and 2 UEFA Champions League trophies in this decade. He was also an integral part of the Spanish national side that won the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and UEFA Euro in 2012.

The former Manchester United star is a strong center back who likes to play the ball out from the back. The 32-year-old has excellent ball control, thrives in possession based system, is good in the air and duels and most importantly reads the game well.

On an individual level, he has been included in the UEFA Team of the Year 5 times and in the FIFPro XI 4 times in this decade. Pique has been one of the best defenders to have donned the Blaugrana and national team jersey.

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3. Andres Iniesta

Netherlands v Spain: 2010 FIFA World Cup Final

Despite moving away from European football in 2018, Andres Iniesta was one of the best players for Spain as well as FC Barcelona over the last decade. The Spanish international was at the heart of everything that Barca or La Roja created.

Iniesta, alongside Xavi Hernandez, formed a formidable duo which dismantled teams single-handedly. The Vissel Kobe star before leaving Camp Now won 6 La Liga titles, 5 Copa Del Rey titles and 2 UEFA Champions League trophies in the decade. Moreover, he was key player for the national side that won the UEFA Euro 2008 and 2012 and FIFA World Cup 2010.

Iniesta in his career has scored numerous goals but his most important one came in 2010. The 35-year-old scored in the extra time of the World Cup finals to break the deadlock between the Spain and Netherlands. His goal proved to be the winner as La Roja lifted the World Cup in 2010 beating the Dutch side 1-0.

Iniesta at Barcelona etched his name into the history books as one of the best midfielders to ever grace the game.

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2. David Silva

Spain v Morocco: Group B - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia

David Silva has been the engine of Manchester City and Spanish national team. The Cityzens bought the Spaniard from Valencia in 2010, and his arrival helped the fortunes of Sky Blues.

The 34-year-old transformed Man City into world beaters. He dictated play from the center of the park and pulled the strings for his side. Manchester City built the whole team around the Spanish international, and it paid off. He won the Premier League 4 times and the FA Cup twice.

Silva was also an integral part of the Spanish squad that won the World Cup and Euros twice in a row. The City star scored 73 goals for the Sky Blues in the decade and has been one of the best players in the Premier League for a long time now. Silva would be hoping to end his Man City stint with another Premier League title.

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1. Sergio Ramos

Spain v Sweden - UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifier

Sergio Ramos has been the best Spanish player for a decade now. The Spanish international not only influences the team with his performances but also with his leadership qualities. The 33-year-old is a born leader.

Ramos led Real Madrid to 3 UEFA Champions League titles in 4 years and is vying for more. Meanwhile, he is leading the Spanish national team to a resurgence after disastrous Euro and World Cup campaigns.

Los Blancos' captain is one of the best defenders in the world, and his inclusion in the FIFPro XI 10 times is a proof of it. He also possesses a knack for goals and has bailed out his teams on various occasions. Be it tackling, blocking, intercepting, holding possession, headers, penalties or switching play, Ramos can do it all.

The Spaniard holds the most number of caps (170) for his national side and was a part of the squad that won the FIFA World Cup 2010 and Euros in 2008 and 2012. Ramos would be hoping to replicate some part of it before he hangs his boots.

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