Spain are one of the biggest favorites heading into Euro 2024. Under manager Luis de la Fuente, La Roja have maintained the dominant possession style they used so well when Luis Enrique was still in charge.
However, this Spain team can play direct, attacking football when they need to. This makes them a much more versatile and dangerous side than the Spain we saw get knocked out by Morocco at the 2022 World Cup.
None of this matters if the players don’t perform well. Here are the best Spain players we’ll be watching at Euro 2024.
5. Álvaro Morata (FW, Atlético Madrid)
Álvaro Morata has not had the best of seasons for Atlético Madrid this year. He scored 21 goals, but never truly looked like he deserved being the Colchoneros’ number one option up front. As a result he played just 1,900 league minutes for Atleti this season. For Spain though, Morata has consistently delivered.
Luis de la Fuente named Morata as Spain captain in March 2023 ahead of the start of Euro 2024 qualifying.
No Spanish player has scored more European Championship goals than Morata’s 6. He also led the way in Euro 2024 qualifying with 4 goals across the campaign.
Consistency has always been a knock against Morata at club level. He’s so far avoided the same problems with La Roja. As long as he keeps that up, he will be one of Spain’s best players at Euro 2024.
4. Nico Williams (LW, Athletic Club)
One of the reasons Spain have been so much more dangerous under Luis de la Fuente than under Luis Enrique is the emergence of Nico Williams.
The Athletic Club player is one of the most dangerous left wingers in the world right now. Unlike Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappé, who also dominate from the left wing position, Williams is more of a distributor than a scorer.
The 21-year-old racked up 16 assists for Athletic Club in all competitions this season. For Spain, Williams dished out three assists in four Euro Qualifying matches.
Williams’ ability on the ball also can’t be overstated. As good as Spain have been at playing more direct football recently, they’re still primarily a possession-first team. They will still have a lot of work to do breaking down teams who are happy to give them the ball.
Williams can create space for himself with the ball at his feet and deliver killer final passes to players like Morata, Joselu, and Spain’s other forwards.
3. Pedri (MF, Barcelona)
Since breaking through with Barcelona in the 2020-21, Pedri has been one of the best young players in the world. Injuries have held him back from showing his quality with the Spanish national team though.
Pedri did not play a single match for Spain throughout their Euro Qualifying campaign. After yet another injury riddled season for Barcelona, he’s set to star for Spain at the tournament proper.
Against Northern Ireland in Spain’s last friendly before the Euros, Pedri scored two goals playing as a No. 10.
Playing nations like Croatia, Italy, and France is obviously much harder than playing Northern Ireland, but Pedri’s talent is undeniable no matter who he’s playing.
2. Lamine Yamal (RW, Barcelona)
Like Williams on the left wing, Lamine Yamal has been a revelation for Spain on the right wing. The 16-year-old was the breakout star of the last European football season.
Yamal played in 37 of Barcelona’s 38 La Liga matches this season. He had 7 goals and 7 assists across all competitions for La Blaugrana. Down the final stretch of the season, Yamal was easily Barca’s best player.
In the first leg of Barcelona’s Champions League quarter-final tie against PSG, Yamal was La Blaugrana’s lone shining star. He put Barca ahead with a great assist to Raphinha after blowing by PSG’s Nuno Mendes.
Yamal’s game-breaking change of pace and directness is sure to make the difference for Spain in this tournament.
1. Rodri (MF, Manchester City)
Rodri is the best midfielder in the world, full stop. At Manchester City, he’s a midfield destroyer, metronome, and deep lying playmaker all in one. For Spain, he plays a similar role, but is much more important.
Spain’s entire footballing identity is keeping the ball and winning it back quickly when they lose it. No one in the world does that better than Rodri.
When you add in his abilities to play line-breaking passes and score from outside the box, Rodri isn’t just one of Spain’s best players. He’s one of the best players in the entire tournament.
