The Spanish national football team ended their title drought by winning the 2022-2023 UEFA Nations League. La Furia Roja defeated Croatia 5-4 on penalties in the final match at De Kuip Stadium in Rotterdam, Netherlands, in the early hours of Monday, June 19, 2023, WIB.
The UEFA Nations League is an official friendly tournament participated in by UEFA member nations, the European football governing body. The tournament was first held in the 2018-2019 season and has now taken place three times.
Portugal won the inaugural edition. France won the second edition, and Spain won this season's title.
The Matador team's victory in this season's UEFA Nations League also ended an 11-year title drought. The last time the Spanish national team won a major title was when they won the UEFA European Championship in 2012.
Throughout history, the Spanish national team has won a total of five major trophies: the FIFA World Cup (2010), three European Championships (1964, 2008, and 2012), and one UEFA Nations League (2023).
So, who are the players who have contributed the most goals to the Spanish national team throughout history?
Quoting data from Transfermarkt, David Villa is the all-time top scorer for the Spanish national team. Throughout his career, he scored 59 goals for La Furia Roja.
Second place is occupied by Raúl with a total of 44 goals for the Spanish national team. This is followed by Fernando Torres and David Silva with 38 and 35 goals respectively.
However, most of the Spanish national team's top scorers have retired. The following is a list of the all-time top scorers for the Spanish national team and their career spans, according to data from Transfermarkt and Goal.com:
1. David Villa: 59 goals / retired (2005-2017)
2. Raúl González: 44 goals / retired (1996-2006)
3. Fernando Torres: 38 goals / retired (2003-2014)
4. David Silva: 35 goals / retired (2006-2018)
5. Álvaro Morata: 30 goals / active (2014-present)
6. Fernando Hierro: 29 goals / retired (1989-2002)
7. Fernando Morientes: 27 goals / retired (1998-2007)
8. Emilio Butragueño: 26 goals / retired (1985-1992)
9. Alfredo Di Stéfano: 23 goals / retired (1957-1961)
10. Sergio Ramos: 23 goals / active (2005-present)