Spain’s Top-Rated XI from 2025-26 Season

According to detailed player ratings from football statistics platform WhoScored, Spain’s best eleven for the 2025-26 season has been identified based on performances across Europe’s top five leagues.

WhoScored describes its rating system as “the most accurate, respected and well-known performance indicators in the world of football,” relying on a unique algorithm that incorporates over 200 raw statistics weighted by their impact on the game.

The ratings are calculated live during matches, accounting for every significant event with positive or negative effects, adjusted according to pitch location and outcome.

Using these comprehensive metrics, the highest-rated Spanish players this season have been selected to form an objective best XI, focusing solely on league performances.

Goalkeeper Selection Reflects La Liga Success

Joan Garcia leads the goalkeepers with a rating of 7.08, surpassing Premier League Golden Glove winner David Raya, who holds a 6.65 rating. Despite Raya being assigned the number one shirt for Spain, neither may start ahead of Unai Simon at the World Cup, whose rating stands at 6.59 while playing for the lowest-ranked team among the three.

Garcia secured a La Liga title immediately following his transfer from Espanyol to Barcelona.

Defensive Lineup Highlights Emerging Talent

Eric Garcia, who divided his time between centre-back and right-back for Barcelona’s title-winning squad, earned a 7.02 rating. Tottenham Hotspur’s Pedro Porro, a more natural right-back, recorded a lower rating due to his club’s underwhelming season.

Como defender Jacobo Ramon, rated 7.02, has yet to make the World Cup squad but remains a promising Spain under-21 international. He contributed to Cesc Fabregas’ team qualifying for the Champions League for the first time, appearing in 32 Serie A matches with a pass completion rate exceeding 91%.

Kike Salas, another Spain under-21 player with no senior call-up, played 26 La Liga games for Sevilla and achieved a rating of 7.10.

Alex Grimaldo stands out at left-back with a 7.38 rating, bolstered by eight goals and eight assists in the Bundesliga for Bayer Leverkusen. He will compete with Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella, rated 6.74, for World Cup playing time.

Midfielders Combine Creativity and Scoring

Barcelona’s Pedri, one of La Liga’s top assist providers, holds a 7.25 rating as he prepares for his fourth major international tournament at age 23.

Former West Ham midfielder Pablo Fornals, now with Real Betis, recorded nine goals and six assists in his second Spanish season, helping his team reach the Champions League. Despite this, he was not recalled to the national team and may have missed his last World Cup opportunity at age 30.

Fermin Lopez, sidelined for the World Cup due to injury, achieved a 7.10 rating with six goals and nine assists in La Liga. Operating primarily as an attacking midfielder or occasionally on the left wing, Lopez aims to peak by the next World Cup at age 27.

Attacking Options Feature Youth and Experience

Lamine Yamal, the highest-rated Spaniard at 8.23, is an 18-year-old Barcelona player who impressed at Euro 2024 and is set to make his World Cup debut. He recorded 16 goals and 11 assists in La Liga, the only player to reach double figures in both categories.

Dani Olmo, rated 7.04, is included on the left wing despite primarily playing centrally. He contributed seven goals and eight assists en route to Barcelona’s title and will wear Spain’s number 10 shirt at the World Cup. Mikel Oyarzabal, rated 7.03, was considered but spent the season as a striker.

Striker Selection Reflects Individual Performance

Alaves forward Toni Martinez, with a 7.09 rating, leads the striking options after scoring 14 goals in La Liga for a team narrowly avoiding relegation. He also recorded the highest average of aerial duels won per game in the league at 4.8 but has not represented Spain beyond under-19 level.