Spain enjoyed a golden generation between 2008 and 2012, winning back-to-back European Championships and a World Cup. They had some of the best players in the world at that point, and some of those went on to win more than 100 caps for their country.

But who has won the most caps for Spain in their history? Football FanCast has taken a look at the top La Roja appearance-makers of all time, with a detailed view of the top 10.

All information correct as of 19th May 2025.

Spain men’s most-capped internationals
Rank	Player	Caps
1	Sergio Ramos	180
2	Iker Casillas	167
3	Sergio Busquets	143
4	Xavi	133
5	Andres Iniesta	131
6	Andoni Zubizarreta	126
7	David Silva	125
8	Xabi Alonso	114
=9	Cesc Fabregas	110
=9	Fernando Torres	110
=11	Raul	102
=11	Gerard Pique	102
13	Carlos Puyol	100
14	David Villa	98
15	Jordi Alba	93
16	Fernando Hierro	89
17	Alvaro Morata	85
=18	Santi Cazorla	81
=18	Jose Antonio Camacho	81
20	Rafael Gordillo	75

Here is a detailed look at Spain’s 10 most-capped players:

10

Fernando Torres

110 caps

Fernando Torres, one of Spain’s top goalscorers of all time, is one of two players to make 110 appearances for La Roja. The former striker caught the eye at U16, U17 and U19 level before making his senior debut at the age of 19.

El Nino, who famously scored the winner for Spain in the Euro 2008 final against Germany, would go on to represent Spain until 2014, scoring 38 goals along the way.

9

Cesc Fabregas

110 caps

Also ending his international career with 110 caps was central midfielder Cesc Fabregas. Known for his passing ability, the former Arsenal and FC Barcelona star turned out in three European Championships and three World Cups.

Fabregas was, at the time, the youngest player to make his debut for Spain at the age of 18 and would go on to play until 2016, retiring from football altogether at the age of 36 in 2023.

8

Xabi Alonso

114 caps

Another brilliant midfielder in Spain’s golden generation was Xabi Alonso, who made his debut for his country at the age of 21 in 2003.

Now making an impact as a manager, Alonso marked his 100th appearance by scoring twice against France at Euro 2012 and retired from international duty following the disappointing 2014 World Cup campaign.

7

David Silva

125 caps

Playmaker David Silva scored 35 goals and provided 32 assists in his 125 Spain caps, winning three major honours between 2008 and 2012.

Silva made his international debut in 2006 aged 20, and with the creative midfielder going from strength to strength in the coming years, was a regular in Spain’s most successful side.

6

Andoni Zubizarreta

126 caps

The oldest name in the top 10 list is former Barcelona goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta. After making his debut in 1985, Zubizarreta would go on to be a regular over the next 13 years.

He played in four consecutive World Cups and three European Championships, although he never made a major final on the international stage.

5

Andres Iniesta

131 caps

Andres Iniesta is considered by some as one of the greatest-ever midfielders. He racked up an impressive 131 caps for Spain, with his first coming in 2006.

The highlight of his career came when the FC Barcelona legend famously scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final against the Netherlands. Iniesta retired from international duty until 2018.

4

Xavi

133 caps

Xavi Hernandez managed two more caps than Iniesta, his midfield partner for club and country. Also regarded by many as one of the best midfielders of all time, his international career lasted two more years than Iniesta.

Now a manager, Xavi made an appearance for Spain in every calendar year between 2000 and 2014, playing an important role in La Roja‘s golden generation.

3

Sergio Busquets

143 caps

Keeping the trend going of world-class Spain midfielders takes us to Sergio Busquets. A naturally more defensive-minded midfielder than Iniesta and Xavi, Busquets formed a midfield trio with the two at Barcelona and the national side.

He made his senior international debut in 2009 and would go on to help Spain win the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European Championship, eventually calling it a day in 2022 after winning an impressive 143 caps.

2

Iker Casillas

167 caps

Iker Casillas is second on the list, ending his international career as Spain’s most successful goalkeeper. The Real Madrid icon was actually named Spain’s captain in 2008, so was the man to lift the three major honours won by La Roja in recent times.

He made his debut in 2000 and his final appearance came in 2016, just before Euro 2016. He was famously dropped to the bench by Vicente del Bosque in place of David de Gea and never turned out for his country again.

1

Sergio Ramos

180 caps

Sergio Ramos tops the list with a whopping 180 caps, and the iconic defender is also in the top 10 for Spain’s record goalscorers with 23 to his name.

He made his senior Spain debut at the age of 18 in 2005 and went on to become a regular as a right-back for the national side before moving into his favoured centre-back role. Ramos made 10 or more appearances in 10 separate years for La Roja and was key to the side that won two European Championships and one World Cup.

Following a disappointing Championship campaign, Sunderland have instantly turned their attention towards summer reinforcements in an attempt to get back into the top six in the next campaign.

Sunderland transfer news

The Black Cats started the season in promising fashion, but after parting ways with Tony Mowbray in favour of Michael Beale, things quickly went off course in an experiment that did not last long. Left to pick up the pieces on an interim basis was Mike Dodds, who could only guide Sunderland into a 16th-placed finish in incredibly disappointing fashion.

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With the season now over, those at The Stadium of Light must find a permanent manager to take charge in a decision they have to get right following the call to appoint Beale all those months ago. With that said, names mentioned for the vacant job so far includes Paul Heckingbottom, who was sacked by Premier League side Sheffield United earlier in the campaign.

Whoever is in charge, whether that be Heckingbottom or another option, will have a busy summer ahead which could start with a bargain deal. According to The Athletic, Sunderland are in pole position to sign Divin Mubama, who is set to leave West Ham United upon the expiry of his reported £4,000-a-week current contract.

The forward has struggled to gain opportunities under David Moyes, leading to his pending exit this summer. However, drop down to the Championship could quickly spark his best form into life in a similar fashion to the success that Jack Clarke has enjoyed since moving to Wearside.

Having featured in both the Premier League and Europa League for West Ham this season too, Mubama wouldn't exactly be arriving as a player fresh from academy football this summer.

"Incredible" Mubama can follow Clarke path

Dropping down from the Premier League is not a choice that any player would make easily, but many, Clarke included, have highlighted the benefits of doing so. The winger left Tottenham Hotspur as a struggling youngster, but eventually found his feet at Sunderland to earn links with a move back to England's top flight. Now, Mubama can follow a similar path, to Sunderland's benefit.

After spending so many years at West Ham, it wouldn't have been a simple decision to not extend his contract beyond the current campaign. Ultimately, however, it is one Mubama had to make for the sake of minutes in first-team football.

West Ham academy manager Kenny Brown will be among those watching on if Mubama ends up joining Sunderland before reaching his potential, having been so full of praise for the forward in the past.

Brown told the club's official website: “When you’ve got players with the attitude and work ethic like Divin, it makes our job as Academy staff and coaches so much easier. Younger players in our Academy are now looking up to Divin, and taking on board the way he manages his lifestyle, because it’s impeccable. That’s a massive credit to him on a personal level. He has truly enjoyed an incredible season and he’s a great personality too.”

Everton have been in a state of ebb and flow for quite some time now, and while Sean Dyche's tenure has been far from seamless, there is a sense that the squad could enter the ascendency if cards are played right.

Of course, the plane of uncertainty that lies ahead for Everton is beyond the control of Dyche and the players, who have navigated through a tumultuous year to perch in 15th place in the Premier League with two fixtures still ahead, 11 points above the dreaded dotted line.

Having been stripped of eight points due to breaching Premier League Profit and Sustainability rules on separate occasions, the Toffees are in troubled waters, with the conundrum compounded by prospective buyers 777 Partners, a Miami-based investment firm, facing a lawsuit in the USA, facing allegations of fraud, facing the prospect of ruination.

But the unflappable fight from the Evertonian squad has instilled a sanguine sense of hope that this club could rise again. After all, points deduction aside, Everton would be just three points away from the top half of the division.

Only the top three teams have conceded fewer goals than Dyche's Blues, with the defensive axis of James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite working wonders.

Branthwaite's emergence, in particular, has come at the perfect time following Yerry Mina's departure on a free transfer last summer, ravaged by injuries that stopped his chances of succeeding at Goodison Park. It all could have been so different.

Yerry Mina's Everton career

Picture this: it's 2018, Marco Silva's Everton have just completed the £27m transfer of centre-back Mina from none other than Barcelona following the Colombian's terrific performances at the 2018 World Cup.

Everton had recorded successive top-eight finishes under Ronald Koeman and Sam Allardyce and would finish eighth again in Silva's only full term at the helm – Mina's first, in 2018/19 – but everything unravelled soon after, Everton started to sink toward the lower levels of the English top-flight, where they fight at present to free themselves from.

22/23

7

7

2

21/22

13

11

0

20/21

24

23

2

19/20

29

25

2

18/19

13

10

1

Unfortunately, the Colombia international managed to play only an intermittent role in the Toffees' campaign, starting just ten Premier League matches as he battled against foot and hamstring issues.

He enjoyed more frequent roles across his second and third campaigns on English shores, with Carlo Ancelotti at the helm since the 2019/20 term's midpoint.

But his niggling problems precluded him from ever finding a prolonged run of form to live up to the £27m price tag, with his wages rather hefty too.

1.

Jordan Pickford

£125k-per-week

2.

Yerry Mina

£120k-per-week

3.

Abdoulaye Doucoure

£120k-per-week

4.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin

£100k-per-week

4.

Amadou Onana

£100k-per-week

4.

James Tarkowski

£100k-per-week

The fact that he earned more than Dominic Calvert-Lewin highlights just how influential Mina was supposed to have been for the Merseysiders.

Calvert-Lewin has hardly been injury-free himself while on the Everton books but he has scored 68 goals and supplied 17 assists across 245 appearances, having been praised as a "monster" by talent scout Jacek Kulig for his success as the focal frontman.

In fairness, Mina has earned an effusive remark or two throughout his career too, with The Athletic's Patrick Boyland hailing the "absolute colossus" for one excellent Everton display.

At least the 6 foot 5 titan managed to play a pivotal part in Everton's closing stage last season, starting the final four Premier League fixtures and scoring an all-important, last-gasp equaliser in the campaign's penultimate fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

He salvaged a draw, he might just have salvaged top-flight status, with the team then fuelled to beat Bournemouth on the final day – a game, by the way, that saw a Herculean defensive effort form Mina toward the 1-0 victory, playing the full 90 minutes and winning a whopping eight duels.

It's unfortunate that Mina has suffered such a tough time on the fitness front, with Silva speaking on his "unlucky" record back in 2019 – unaware of the mounds of problems yet to materialise, like a dark, infiltrating stain on his career.

But it can't be looked past, Mina failed to live up to the price tag at Everton and it's ultimately a move of bitter regret, with the funds probably better placed elsewhere back when he signed – had the powers that be got it right, the rot might just have been stopped before it spread.

Yerry Mina's transfer value in 2024

Oh to drift back to the halcyon days of 2018. Mina must certainly look back on this stage of his career with wistful longing, having now fallen by the wayside with damage that threatens to be irreparable.

The ball-playing defender has all the skills to be a high-level defender; his erstwhile stint with Barcelona proves his natural ability. But injuries have ravaged his chances of building a career of true prosperity, with his current market value a gloomy reflection of such issues.

According to Football Transfers' Player Valuation model, the South American is marked with a £1.7m worth in 2024, with his inability to put his time on Merseyside to bed after transferring to Fiorentina sending his career into more of a detrimental spin.

After ending his career with Everton last summer, the rangy defender's move to Florence was supposed to be beneficial, with the ostensibly slower pace of Italian football better suited to his athletic fragilities.

But after featuring just four times – all from the bench – in the opening half of the current Serie A campaign, La Viola's newly-promoted divisional rivals Cagliari canvassed a proposal and welcomed the injury-riddled giant to their ranks in January.

Admittedly, he has found a small measure of success over these past few months, starting 11 of 13 league fixtures since his cross-state switch, scoring in each of his past two matches and winning 69% of his duels, as per Sofascore.

Given that Jarrad Branthwait has won 67% of his duels in the Premier League this season, it's clear that a different tale would have been painted were Mina's injuries not so… incessant.

A talented defender, a wonderful player, a commanding leader. Mina's move to Everton can only go down as a failure but given the nature of his troubles, the Evertonian faithful would be all smiles if he could sustain a positive run of form over the coming campaigns.

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Ange Postecoglou’s first season at Tottenham Hotspur has been largely a success when all things are considered. They are currently fifth in the Premier League, seven points behind Aston Villa in the final Champions League spot, although they have two games in hand.

At the start of the season, they were absolutely flying, unbeaten in their first ten games, winning eight of those. It was their best start to a Premier League season, and Postecoglou earned the most points by a Premier League manager in their first ten games, with 26, as per Opta Analyst.

Postecoglou’s success as Spurs manager so far could well be thanks to a successful first transfer window. The Lilywhites spent £212.3m last summer, bringing in eight players, and signing Dejan Kulusevski and Pedro Porro permanently following an obligatory buy clause in their loan deals.

Some of those incomings included James Maddison from Leicester City for £40m, who has scored four goals and registered seven assists in the Premier League this season, and Guglielmo Vicario, who joined from Empoli for £17.2m, and has kept six clean sheets.

However, there is another summer signing that Spurs made which has gone on to be incredibly successful and has even seen this player’s value rise higher than Maddison’s.

Brennan Johnson’s Spurs career in numbers

The player in question here is Wales international Brennan Johnson, who Spurs signed from Nottingham Forest for £47.5m on transfer deadline day last summer. The deal to sign the winger was a record sale for Forest.

Since joining Spurs, Johnson has gone from strength to strength. So far this term, the 22-year-old has scored five goals and registered seven assists in 30 games for Spurs in the Premier League.

The Welshman, who has 28 caps and three goals for his country, has been one of the London club’s most productive players since arriving. In the Premier League, his 12 goal involvements are bettered only by Son Heung-min with 25, and Richarlison with 13, as per Sofascore.

Johnson is certainly well thought of by Son, the Spurs captain. In an interview at the start of March following Spurs’ game against Crystal Palace, Son explained that he is in “love” with Johnson and praised his “two amazing assists”.

The South Korean went on to say how he believed Johnson did a “fantastic” job in that particular game, with manager Postecoglou seeming to concur with what Son said, explaining that he thought Johnson “was good” and that he did “fantastically well” during the game.

The 22-year-old has already shown improvement in his Premier League numbers since joining the North London side. In his maiden top-flight term with boyhood club Forest, Johnson registered 11 goal involvements in 38 games.

Brennan Johnson's transfer value at Spurs in 2024

Given his impressive debut season at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season, Johnson’s value has skyrocketed, to the point where he is worth more than what Spurs paid for him last summer.

Indeed, according to CIES Football Observatory, Johnson’s value is currently £51m, almost £5m more than what Postecoglou’s side bought him for. That is more valuable than most in the Spurs squad, with Dejan Kulusevski and Destiny Udogie the only players worth more than Johnson, at £68m.

Perhaps surprisingly, the 22-year-old Welshman is worth more than club captain Son, who has a value of £26m, and fellow summer signing Maddison, who is now worth as little as £34m, a drop off from the £40m Spurs paid for him.

The signing of Johnson has certainly been a good purchase for Spurs so far, who are getting an impressive goal involvement return out of the Wales speedster, and are seeing their investment paying out very well in his first season at the club.

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A “standout” Leeds United star is now expected to sign a big new contract at Elland Road, according to an exciting update from journalist Pete O'Rourke.

Leeds United transfer news

The Whites are right in the thick of the Championship promotion battle currently, and they know the importance of the Premier League when it comes to the calibre of signings they can bring in this summer.

FC Vizela midfielder Samu has also been linked with a switch to Leeds at the end of the season, with scouts sent to watch the soon-to-be free agent in action. Meanwhile, they are also believed to have made an offer for highly-rated youngster Mason Cotcher, with the 17-year-old currently on trial at Elland Road, having also been at Arsenal and Manchester United recently.

A reunion with Kalvin Phillips in the summer could also be on the cards, with the midfielder having a torrid time at Manchester City, not to mention struggling on loan at West Ham since moving to the London Stadium in the January transfer window.

There are also some hugely important players that Leeds need to do everything they can to keep hold of, however, and an encouraging update regarding one such figure has emerged.

Big update over "standout" Leeds star's future

According to a new update from Football Insider's O'Rourke, Archie Gray is likely to sign a new deal at Leeds, assuming they earn promotion to the Premier League.

He "will reject offers to join Real Madrid and Bayern Munich", highlighting just how big a talent he is, and he instead sees his future with the Whites for the foreseeable future.

This is wonderful news for anyone associated with Leeds, considering Gray is one of the most promising youngsters at the club in years, already making 43 appearances for the club, despite still only being 18 years of age.

If ever Daniel Farke wanted extra motivation in the promotion battle, it is knowing that the teenager's future could depend on whether they are back in the Premier League or not next season.

Gray is such a special young footballer, showing his versatility by thriving at right-back for much of this season, but also proving his worth as a midfielder many times in the past. He has been called a "standout" player by O'Rourke, who said on the Inside Track podcast: Obviously there is lots of speculation around Archie Gray, and there is no real surprise about that.

"He’s been the standout player for Leeds this season, one of the best young players in the country, no doubts about that. So no surprise to see the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich linked with him recently, but I don’t see anything happening with Gray in the near future."

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A new long-term deal for Gray will also ensure that Leeds are put in a position of strength when it comes to future interest in him, being able to demand a huge amount of money for his signature.

GOAL caught up with the newly-minted permanent sporting director to talk transfer moves, playoff hopes, and recovering from a slow start

The New England Revolution are in the process of recovering from a nightmare start. The team opened the season with just two league wins from the opening three months of the season.

Yet, in June, the Revolution won four consecutive games, including victories over strong teams like the Red Bulls and FC Cincinnati, showing potential under new manager Caleb Porter. These performances likely influenced a busy summer transfer window aimed at a playoff push. Once far from contention, the Revolution are now just five points out of the final playoff spot, with two games in hand.

For Sporting Director Curt Onalfo, a season lost suddenly looks rife with opportunity. He brought in four new additions, headlined by new star Luca Langoni, brought in from Boca Juniors. Langoni is already off to a bright start, tallying a goal and assist in two matches and just 46 minutes played. All of the sudden, the Revolution look to have a real chance at a wild card playoff spot.

In the Wednesday Convo, a weekly Q&A with central figures in the American soccer scene, GOAL U.S. caught up with the first-year sporting director to discuss all things Revolution, including working with a new head coach, transfer strategy, and what constitutes success this campaign.

New England RevolutionPromotion to full-time Sporting Director

Question: Congratulations on your promotion to permanent Sporting Director. Can you walk us through that change?

Curt Onalfo: Well, I've been technical director for almost five years prior to being promoted. So they're definitely different roles. In my role as technical director, I wore a lot of hats. I ran our scouting department, I was responsible for our entire pro pathway, and really spent a lot of energy transforming that.

When we got here, it was just an OK program, and we were able to transform it into one of the better ones in the league.

Once you become sporting director, everything is below you, except for the President and the owners. It ends up being a little bit different. But my management style is such that my job is trying to get the most out of people. I don't have a huge ego, so I enjoy building people up and doing whatever I possibly can to help give each and every employee the tools to be successful. So that's kind of the approach, and it's been an incredible opportunity. And I'm very grateful to the Krafts and [President] Brian Bilello. We're working really hard to make sure that we have are an outstanding franchise.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportRebounding from a slow start…

After a slow start, what's been driving the team's recent progress? How do you plan to push forward and make a statement, especially with the recent transfers and acquisitions?

CO: It was a very congested start for us. When you have a new coach [in Porter] who's implementing a new style of play and game model, we continued [to adjust]. We advanced early on in those Champions League games, and it just meant more games early on and less time on the field being able to train the way that Caleb wanted to. That was part of it, and that affected our results early on, and then obviously the results affected our confidence for a little bit. It took us a little while to adapt.

The big thing that we preach is that, we have a really good training environment, and we continue to get better every day. It's not how you start, it's how you finish. So we want to do whatever we can in these last games to position ourselves to make the playoffs, make sure we end the season strong and just continually position ourselves to be better and better, not only this year, but next.

USA TodayAn aggressive transfer strategy

Your transfer activity seems to reflect a commitment to staying competitive. What drove the summer transfer strategy, and how do you see it impacting the team's future?

CO: First of all, whenever you have a new coach, it's going to be a period of time where the team becomes the coach's. You have a group of players, but then with each window, you make changes. And having done this a long time for me, it's like three to four windows is when you’re really able to make those changes.

This was the second one, and we knew exactly what we were looking for, and what we needed to add. On top of it, there was a league rule change, with the U-22 initiative. So that gave us the ability to go get Luca Langoni, and get a game changing player.

Part of it was driven by the new rules of the league, and then the other ones was driven by that we're a big club, and we want to continue to get better, and we were not happy with the position we're in, and we want to do whatever we can to make sure that we are in a much higher position. It's just making sure that we're active, and we're going to add players every window to get better. So this one made a lot of sense.

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@GettyDefining success

What constitutes success, both now and then going forward?

CO: Our goal is to make the playoffs. It's not an easy task. We're only five points out of playoff contention, but seven of our 11 games are on the road. We all know that it's harder to get points away than it is at home.

We're going to do everything possible to make the playoffs and make sure that we end the season on a real positive note, with a positive trend. For me, success will be ending the season on a positive trend and making the playoffs.

Celtic are back in Scottish Premiership action once again on Saturday afternoon as they play host to their closest rivals at Parkhead in the Old Firm.

The Hoops have a chance to all but secure the top-flight title for the third season running as a win would see them move six points clear with two games left to play.

That would leave their rivals needing to win both of their last two matches and the Bhoys would have to lose both of their outings, having only lost three of their 35 league clashes so far.

Brendan Rodgers' side ran out comfortable 3-0 winners against Hearts in Glasgow last time out, as Kyogo Furuhashi scored twice and Matt O'Riley netted from the penalty spot.

Despite that emphatic victory, the Northern Irish boss could still make some changes from his starting XI against the Jam Tarts. With this in mind, here is FFC's predicted Celtic lineup for this clash with Rangers…

1 Joe Hart

Between the sticks, there is no glaring reason for the head coach to drop former England international Joe Hart from the starting XI in what looks set to be his penultimate Old Firm clash.

The meeting with Rangers in the SFA Cup final at Hampden Park is set to be his final derby clash before his retirement, whilst this game on Saturday will be his last one at Parkhead.

2 Alistair Johnston

At right-back, Canada international Alistair Johnston should retain his place in the lineup ahead of Scotland international and academy graduate Anthony Ralston.

The 25-year-old star has the quality to provide an attacking threat from the full-back position, with nine 'big chances' created and four assists in 30 Premiership matches this season.

3 Cameron Carter-Vickers

There is little doubt that Cameron Carter-Vickers will be named in the starting XI for this clash with Rangers after the USA international's colossal showing last time out against Hearts.

The former Tottenham Hotspur enforcer made five clearances, two interceptions, one tackle, and one huge block to stop the Jam Tarts from finding the back of the net.

4 Liam Scales

Liam Scales could continue his pairing with Carter-Vickers at centre-back for Celtic, after both players were named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year.

The Ireland international offers a left-footed balance to the team in possession on the left side of the pairing that the right-footed Stephen Welsh, Maik Nawrocki, and Gustaf Lagerbielke do not.

5 Greg Taylor

Greg Taylor is Celtic's only senior left-back option, as Alexandro Bernabei was allowed to leave on loan earlier this term, and that makes him a simple selection for the manager.

The Scottish full-back, like Johnston, has created nine 'big chances' and registered four assists in the Premiership so far this season, which speaks to the attacking thrust he can provide down the left flank.

6 Tomoki Iwata

The first change to the starting XI could come at the base of the midfield set-up for Rodgers as Tomoki Iwata could replace Japan international Reo Hatate.

FFC suggested that Rodgers should drop the central midfielder down to the bench after he lost possession 25 times and lost all six of his duels against Hearts.

Iwata, who has only lost possession 5.1 times per game on average in the Premiership, is more reliable in possession and offers more physicality off the ball, with a duel success rate of 51% in the division this term.

This means that the 27-year-old ace could be a better option for this huge game against Rangers, as Hatate's loose play on the ball and struggles with the physical side of the game could cost them in a tight contest.

7 Callum McGregor

Another player who should keep their place in the starting XI is the captain Callum McGregor after his strong performance against Hearts last time out.

The Scotland international won seven of his nine duels against the Jam Tarts, to go along with a fantastic pass completion rate of 92% in the middle of the park.

8 Matt O'Riley

Matt O'Riley should start in the Hoops midfield for this big clash with Rangers alongside the skipper McGregor and Japanese ace Iwata at the base of the trio.

The Denmark international has been in fine form as an attacking force throughout the Premiership campaign, racking up 14 goals and 12 assists so far.

9 Daizen Maeda

The second change to the starting XI should come on the right of the attacking trio as Daizen Maeda should be unleashed ahead of Nicolas Kuhn.

Although the Japanese dynamo typically plays on the left of the three, the form of the player who we will later predict to make the XI means that he should be brought in on the right.

Kuhn managed one key pass and zero shots against Hearts and has gone five Premiership games without a goal or an assist to show for his efforts.

Maeda, who was once hailed as "incredible" by Rodgers, scored in the opening minute against Rangers at Ibrox and won an eye-catching six tackles on the wing.

The hard-working forward should, therefore, be unleashed from the start on Saturday as Kuhn has not been in productive form, whilst the Japanese whiz recently stepped up to the mark against the Gers.

10 Kyogo Furuhashi

In the number nine position, Kyogo Furuhashi should keep his place after an impressive display against Hearts last time out in the league for the Hoops.

The Japan international positioned himself perfectly to score a header from Hatate's cross to make it 1-0 before beautifully connecting with O'Riley's ball over the top to finish into the bottom corner on the volley for his second.

Adam Idah has scored seven goals in 12 Premiership starts for Celtic, including one off the bench against Rangers at Ibrox, and could be kept as a super sub option for Rodgers.

The future of the Manchester United dugout remains rather uncertain, yet for whoever is in charge at Old Trafford next season, an overhaul of the current squad will certainly be needed following what has been a drab and disappointing campaign on the whole.

Amid reports that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co are willing to listen to offers for almost every member of the side – excluding the promising trio of Rasmus Hojlund, Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho – there could well be something of a mass exodus this summer.

That possible raft of outgoings will then spark the need for a wave of quality incomings in Manchester, with INEOS needing to showcase a change in tact in the transfer market, following the years of malaise under the Glazer ownership.

One area that may require strengthening is the full-back ranks, with the likes of Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia hampered by injury and with Aaron Wan-Bissaka having just a year left on his current deal, leaving Diogo Dalot as perhaps the only reliable option on the flanks.

The Portuguese could be set to receive some welcome competition this summer if the Red Devils get their way, amid reports that a new right-back could be on the agenda for the new United regime.

Man Utd eyeing Serie A sensation

According to reports in Italy earlier this week, as per Gazzetta.it, United could be in the picture to snap up Inter Milan star, Denzel Dumfries, with the Dutchman seemingly up for grabs with just 12 months remaining on his existing contract at San Siro.

The report indicates that the 28-year-old could be available for a fee in the region of €30m (£26m), making him a relatively astute and affordable option in the modern market – particularly considering the Red Devils splashed out £50m on Wan-Bissaka almost five years ago.

The suggestion is that it is the player himself who is keen to make the jump to the Theatre of Dreams, albeit with that switch likely to be dependent on whether his compatriot, Erik ten Hag, remains at the helm.

Having been a target for United in the past, however, there may be wisdom in pushing for Dumfries even if there is a change in manager, with the flying wing-back boasting the credentials to dazzle in the Premier League.

Dumfries stats in 2023/24

Dumfries has been a central part of Inter's remarkable Serie A dominance this season, racking up three goals and five assists in the league as Simone Inzaghi's side swept the Scudetto.

That takes his total to 30 goal involvements in 130 games in all competitions for the Italian giants, having previously chalked up a similar return of 36 goals and assists in 124 games during his time at former club, PSV Eindhoven.

The Red Devils may be wary of snapping up another figure with Eredivisie connections, but Dumfries' attacking intent is cause for excitement, even if he has typically operated in a more advanced wing-back berth in recent years.

That freedom to bomb forward at will has also seen the in-demand ace create six 'big chances' this season, with Dalot, for instance, creating only five 'big chances' in the Premier League, while the Inter star also ranks in the top 12% among his European peers for assists per 90.

There may be concerns over whether the Rotterdam native can adapt to a more traditional full-back berth, although one solution could arise in the appointment of reported target, Thomas Tuchel, with the German said to be among the contenders to replace Ten Hag this summer.

The Bayern Munich boss did notably deploy a back five during his successful stint at Chelsea, which gleamed a Champions League trophy, thus ensuring Dumfries could slot in comfortably in the Reece James role on the flank.

As Fabrizio Romano reported back in 2022, the Netherlands international was actually a target for those at Stamford Bridge and was "appreciated" by Tuchel, having been described as the "exact profile" that the one-time Paris Saint-Germain boss wants by analyst Ryan Gunness.

Not then just a possible dream signing for Tuchel, Dumfries could also get the best out of one star currently at United, in the form of Hojlund.

How Dumfries could slot in at Man Utd

It's fair to say it's been a mixed bag of a debut season for young Hojlund, with the £72m arrival from Atalanta having scored just eight league goals to date, as part of 14 goals in all competitions in total.

For a 21-year-old to reach that tally is hardly the worst return – particularly when considering Dimitar Berbatov also only scored 14 goals in 2008/09 following his move from Tottenham Hotspur – but as United's current main man in attack, more is certainly needed.

Player (season)

Games

Goals

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (1996/97)

46

19

Ruud van Nistelrooy (2001/02)

49

36

Louis Saha (2004/05)*

22

2

Wayne Rooney (2004/05)

43

17

Dimitar Berbatov (2008/09)

43

14

Javier Hernandez (2010/11)

45

20

Robin van Persie (2012/13)

48

30

Anthony Martial (2015/16)

49

17

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (2016/17)

46

28

Romelu Lukaku (2017/18)

51

27

Edinson Cavani (2020/21)

39

17

Rasmus Hojlund (2023/24)

39

14

*(Signed in Jan 2004 – Scored 7 in 14 games in 2003/04)

The biggest issue has perhaps been the lack of service that the Dane has received, with The Athletic reporting that between 18 February and Hojlund's goal against Sheffield United last month, he had been restricted to just seven shots.

Perhaps a higher profile striker should be able to create chances for himself, alla Harry Kane, but Hojlund is in desperate need of support from the flanks, something that has not been provided with the likes of Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and Antony typically cutting in on either wing.

Having an overlapping full-back or wing-back who is a natural right footer, like Dumfries, could certainly help to heighten the striker's service, with Rio Ferdinand previously outlining the defender's ability to create:

"He’s not putting balls in willy-nilly, he’s picking people out, those cutbacks have been ever so dangerous. "

As his assist record shows, Dumfries can pick out his teammates with ease from the flanks, ensuring that Hojlund would have far more to work with – a scary prospect for a player who is a "monster in the making", according to talent scout Jacek Kulig.

With only Bruno Fernandes (11) providing more assists among the United squad than the former PSV man (six) has in all competitions in 23/24, there is clear evidence as to why his arrival could benefit United's forwards and Hojlund in particular.

As such, whether or not Ten Hag remains in charge for another season, Dumfries would be a worthy target for Ratcliffe and co.

Man Utd now leading the race for "fast" star who has same agent as Hojlund

Ratcliffe means business…

ByTom Cunningham Mar 28, 2024

أعلن هانز فليك المدير الفني لفريق كرة القدم الأول بنادي برشلونة، عن قائمة اللاعبين لمواجهة بريست، مساء اليوم الثلاثاء في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويخوض برشلونة مباراة اليوم ضد بريست، في الجولة الخامسة من مرحلة الدوري ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، على ملعب “لويس كومبانيس” في إسبانيا.

ويحتل برشلونة المركز السادس برصيد 9 نقاط بعد 3 انتصارات وخسارة، بينما بريست الذي يعتبر من ضمن مفاجآت البطولة، يتواجد في المركز الرابع، بدون هزيمة وبرصيد 10 نقاط من 3 انتصارات وتعادل.

طالع أيضًا.. تقارير: لاعب برشلونة قد يعطل صفقة التعاقد مع محمد صلاح

وشهدت قائمة برشلونة غياب الدولي الإسباني، لامين يامال، واستمرار ابتعاده عن النادي الكتالوني منذ مواجهة ريال سوسيداد قبل التوقف الدولي.

واستعاد برشلونة المدافع إيريك جارسيا، منذ إصابته قبل مباراة إشبيلية في عمليات الإحماء، أكتوبر الماضي. قائمة برشلونة لمباراة بريست في دوري أبطال أوروبا

حراسة المرمى: إينياكي بينيا، فوتشيك تشيزني، دييجو كوشين.

خط الدفاع: أليخاندرو بالدي، جيرارد مارتين، جوليس كوندي، هيكتور فورت، إينييجو مارتينيز، باو كوبارسي، إيريك جارسيا، أندرياس كوينكا، سيرجي دومينجيز.

وسط الملعب: بيدري جونزاليس، جافي، فرينكي دي يونج، داني أولمو، مارك كاسادو، فيرمين لوبيز، بابلو توري، جويليرمو فيرنانديز،

الهجوم: روبرت ليفاندوفسكي، رافينيا، باو فيكتور.