List of Basque footballers

Location of the 'Greater Basque Country' which has produced many players for the Spanish national team, and others

The list of Basque footballers features male association football players from the 'Greater Basque Country', a territory with a population of around 3 million (comprising the Basque autonomous Community (País Vasco or Euskadi) and Navarre which are two of Spain's seventeen autonomous communities, plus the Northern Basque Country, an agglomeration community in France) who have reached international status with the national teams as specified, the vast majority representing Spain.[1][2][3]

The region has a representative squad – the Basque Country national football team – but they are not recognised by FIFA, were inactive for long periods and only play friendly matches against FIFA teams or against other sides with similar status such as Catalonia.[4][5]

Basque Country national team players (since 1990)

See also: Basque Country national football team results

Listed below are the players who have featured for the Basque Country international team dating from 1990 when regular fixtures against FIFA national teams were arranged. As of March 2024, there have been 30 matches played in this era (including four against Catalonia and one against Corsica who have the same unofficial status as the Basques and select their squads on the same basis), with 207 players involved.[6][7]

Key
*
 Still active for the national team[a]
=
 Player is tied for the number of caps
GK Goalkeeper
DF Defender
MF Midfielder
FW Forward
Basque Country national team players since 1990
# Name Position First cap[b] Last cap[b] Caps Goals
1 Xabi Prieto MF 2004[c] 2016[d] 14 0
2 Aritz Aduriz FW 2006[e] 2019[f] 13 12
3 Igor Gabilondo MF 2002[g] 2011[h] 12 1
= Gorka Iraizoz GK 2004[c] 2016[d] 12 0
5 Julen Guerrero MF 1993[i] 2006[j] 11 6
= Joseba Etxeberria FW 1998[k] 2007[l] 11 2
= Asier Riesgo GK 2003[m] 2018[n] 11 0
8 Bittor Alkiza MF 1993[i] 2002[g] 9 0
= Aitor López Rekarte DF 2000[o] 2007[l] 9 0
= Mikel Aranburu MF 2002[g] 2011[h] 9 0
= Andoni Iraola DF 2003[m] 2013[p] 9 0
12 Agustín Aranzábal DF 1995[q] 2003[m] 8 0
= Ismael Urzaiz FW 1997[r] 2006[s] 8 3
= Mikel Labaka DF 2005[t] 2012[u] 8 1
= Iñigo Martínez* DF 2011[h] 2019[f] 8 0
16 José Antonio Pikabea DF 1993[i] 1999[v] 7 0
= Javi de Pedro MF 1995[q] 2001[w] 7 2
= Mikel González DF 2007[x] 2016[d] 7 0
= Markel Susaeta MF 2010[y] 2016[d] 7 1
= Gaizka Toquero FW 2010[y] 2016[d] 7 2
= Mikel San José MF 2011[z] 2019[f] 7 0
= Mikel Balenziaga DF 2012[u] 2020[aa] 7 0
23 Aitor Karanka DF 1994[ab] 2004[c] 6 0
= Gaizka Mendieta MF 1998[k] 2007[l] 6 1
= Carlos Gurpegui MF 2003[m] 2016[ac] 6 1
= Ion Ansotegi DF 2010[y] 2016[ac] 6 0
= Ander Iturraspe MF 2011[z] 2016[d] 6 0
= Yuri Berchiche* DF 2014[ad] 2020[aa] 6 0
29 Rafael Alkorta DF 1990[ae] 1999[v] 5 0
= Josu Urrutia MF 1990[ae] 2001[w] 5 2
= Kuko Ziganda FW 1994[ab] 1998[k] 5 4
= Xabier Eskurza MF 1994[ab] 1999[v] 5 0
= Bolo FW 1996[af] 2003[m] 5 4
= Iñigo Idiakez MF 1996[af] 2000[o] 5 2
= Antonio Karmona DF 1999[v] 2003[m] 5 0
= Xabi Alonso MF 2001[w] 2012[u] 5 0
= Fran Yeste MF 2003[m] 2007[l] 5 3
= Gaizka Garitano MF 2003[m] 2007[x] 5 0
= Mikel Alonso MF 2004[c] 2007[x] 5 0
= Fernando Llorente FW 2005[t] 2007[l] 5 1
= Javier Garrido DF 2006[j] 2016[ac] 5 0
= David Zurutuza MF 2010[y] 2018[n] 5 0
= Imanol Agirretxe FW 2010[y] 2015[ag] 5 3
= Oier DF 2010[y] 2020[aa] 5 0
= Markel Bergara MF 2011[z] 2016[ac] 5 1
= Ander Capa* DF 2014[ad] 2020[aa] 5 0
= Roberto Torres* MF 2013[p] 2024[ah] 5 1
= Dani García* MF 2014[ad] 2024[ah] 5 0
49 Patxi Ferreira DF 1990[ae] 1997[r] 4 0
= Ion Andoni Goikoetxea MF 1990[ae] 1996[af] 4 1
= Andoni Imaz MF 1993[i] 1997[r] 4 0
= Andoni Zubizarreta GK 1993[i] 1997[r] 4 0
= Iñigo Larrainzar DF 1995[q] 2000[o] 4 0
= Alberto GK 1998[k] 2001[w] 4 0
= Imanol Etxeberria GK 1998[k] 2003[m] 4 0
= Óscar de Paula FW 1998[k] 2001[w] 4 5
= César Cruchaga DF 2001[w] 2006[e] 4 0
= Asier Del Horno DF 2003[m] 2007[l] 4 0
= Fernando Amorebieta DF 2007[x] 2011[h] 4 0
= Iker Muniain* MF 2010[y] 2020[aa] 4 2
= Beñat MF 2011[h] 2014[ad] 4 0
= Jon Aurtenetxe* DF 2011[h] 2015[ag] 4 0
= Mikel Rico MF 2011[h] 2016[ac] 4 0
= Ibai FW 2012[u] 2018[n] 4 2
= Asier Illarramendi* MF 2013[p] 2018[n] 4 1
= Javier Eraso* MF 2015[ag] 2019[f] 4 0
= Manu García MF 2016[d] 2020[aa] 4 0
70 Ander Garitano MF 1993[i] 1996[af] 3 0
= Julen Lopetegui GK 1993[i] 2000[o] 3 0
= Mikel Lasa DF 1993[i] 1997[r] 3 0
= Andoni Cedrún GK 1994[ab] 1997[r] 3 0
= Imanol Alguacil DF 1994[ab] 1997[r] 3 0
= Javier Olaizola DF 1998[k] 2003[m] 3 0
= Patxi Puñal MF 2002[g] 2007[l] 3 0
= Tiko MF 2003[m] 2006[e] 3 0
= Luis Prieto DF 2003[m] 2006[s] 3 0
= Joseba Llorente FW 2004[c] 2010[y] 3 0
= Gari Uranga FW 2005[t] 2006[s] 3 1
= Pablo Orbaiz MF 2005[t] 2007[l] 3 0
= Pantxi Sirieix MF 2006[s] 2011[h] 3 0
= Josu Sarriegi DF 2006[j] 2007[x] 3 1
= Iñaki Lafuente GK 2006[j] 2007[l] 3 0
= Iñaki Muñoz MF 2006[j] 2007[x] 3 0
= Carlos Martínez DF 2012[u] 2015[ag] 3 0
= Eneko Bóveda DF 2014[ad] 2016[d] 3 0
= Xabi Etxeita DF 2014[ad] 2016[d] 3 0
= Aritz Elustondo* DF 2018[n] 2024[ah] 3 1
= Asier Villalibre* FW 2019[f] 2024[ah] 3 0
93 Genar Andrinúa DF 1990[ae] 1996[af] 2 1
= José Luis Ribera DF 1993[i] 1994[ab] 2 0
= Luis López Rekarte DF 1993[i] 1994[ab] 2 0
= Txiki Begiristain FW 1993[i] 1994[ab] 2 0
= Julio Salinas FW 1993[i] 1994[ab] 2 2
= Óscar Vales DF 1995[q] 1997[r] 2 0
= Roberto Ríos DF 1996[af] 1997[r] 2 0
= Iván Campo MF 2000[o] 2006[j] 2 0
= Ibon Begoña DF 2001[w] 2002[g] 2 0
= Ricardo Sanzol GK 2002[g] 2004[c] 2 0
= Edu Alonso MF 2002[g] 2006[j] 2 0
= Unai Expósito DF 2004[c] 2005[t] 2 0
= José Barkero MF 2005[t] 2010[y] 2 0
= Aitor Ocio DF 2005[t] 2006[e] 2 0
= Javi Martínez* MF 2006[s] 2010[y] 2 0
= Aitor MF 2006[s] 2007[x] 2 0
= Borja Ekiza DF 2011[z] 2013[p] 2 0
= Gorka Elustondo MF 2011[z] 2016[ac] 2 0
= Kike Sola FW 2011[z] 2012[u] 2 0
= Eñaut Zubikarai GK 2012[u] 2013[p] 2 0
= Joseba Zaldúa* DF 2016[ac] 2016[d] 2 0
= Sabin* FW 2016[ac] 2016[d] 2 0
= Anaitz Arbilla* DF 2018[n] 2020[aa] 2 1
= Jon Bautista* FW 2018[n] 2020[aa] 2 1
= Iñaki Williams* FW 2018[n] 2020[aa] 2 0
= Iago Herrerín* GK 2019[f] 2020[aa] 2 0
= Mikel Vesga* MF 2018[n] 2024[ah] 2 0
= Aitor Fernández* GK 2019[f] 2024[ah] 2 0
= Ander Guevara* MF 2020[aa] 2024[ah] 2 0
= Aihen Muñoz* DF 2019[f] 2020[aa] 2 0
= Martín Aguirregabiria* DF 2018[n] 2024[ah] 2 0
124 Vicente Biurrun GK 1990[ae] 1 0
= Eugenio Bustingorri DF 1990[ae] 1 0
= Alberto Górriz DF 1990[ae] 1 0
= Pedro Uralde FW 1990[ae] 1 0
= David Villabona MF 1990[ae] 1 0
= Andoni Lakabeg DF 1990[ae] 1 0
= Andoni Goikoetxea DF 1990[ae] 1 0
= Eduardo Estíbariz DF 1990[ae] 1 0
= Estanislao Argote MF 1990[ae] 1 0
= Patxi Iru (es) GK 1990[ae] 1 0
= Luciano Iturrino (es) MF 1990[ae] 1 0
= Pizo Gómez (es) MF 1990[ae] 1 0
= Ernesto Valverde FW 1993[i] 1 0
= José Mari Bakero MF 1993[i] 1 0
= Juan Antonio Larrañaga DF 1993[i] 1 0
= Bixente Lizarazu DF 1993[i] 1 0
= Jokin Uría (es) DF 1994[ab] 1 0
= Gontzal Suances (es) FW 1995[q] 1 0
= Juanjo Valencia GK 1995[q] 1 0
= Miguel Ángel Fuentes DF 1995[q] 1 0
= Patxi Salinas DF 1995[q] 1 0
= Aitor Larrazábal DF 1997[r] 1 0
= Luis Pérez FW 1997[r] 1 0
= Iñaki Berruet (es) DF 1998[k] 1 0
= François Grenet DF 1998[k] 1 0
= Txomin Nagore MF 2000[o] 1 0
= Ángel Lekumberri (es) MF 2000[o] 1 0
= Javi González MF 2001[w] 1 0
= Juan Carlos Unzué GK 2001[w] 1 0
= Unai DF 2002[g] 1 0
= David Karanka FW 2003[m] 1 0
= Pablo Gómez MF 2003[m] 1 0
= Armando GK 2005[t] 1 0
= Raúl García MF 2005[t] 1 0
= Ander Murillo DF 2006[e] 1 0
= Javier Casas DF 2006[e] 1 0
= Javier López Vallejo GK 2006[s] 1 0
= Mikel Dañobeitia FW 2006[e] 1 0
= Unai Alba GK 2007[x] 1 0
= Jon Urzelai DF 2007[l] 1 0
= Koikili DF 2010[y] 1 0
= Xabi Castillo DF 2012[u] 1 0
= Óscar de Marcos* MF 2013[p] 1 0
= Xabi Irureta GK 2014[ad] 1 0
= Mikel Arruabarrena FW 2014[ad] 1 0
= Mikel Oyarzabal* FW 2016[d] 1 1
= Oier Olazábal* GK 2016[d] 1 0
= Luca Sangalli* MF 2018[n] 1 0
= Jon Ander Serantes* GK 2018[n] 1 0
= Daniel Vivian* DF 2019[f] 1 0
= Unai Bustinza* DF 2019[f] 1 0
= Jesús Areso* DF 2019[f] 1 0
= Gaizka Larrazabal* MF 2019[f] 1 0
= Iñigo Vicente* FW 2019[f] 1 0
= Jon Morcillo* MF 2020[aa] 1 0
= Yeray Álvarez* DF 2020[aa] 1 0
= Unai Núñez* DF 2020[aa] 1 1
= Julen Agirrezabala* GK 2024[ah] 1 0
= Andoni Gorosabel* DF 2024[ah] 1 0
= Urko González de Zarate* DF 2024[ah] 1 0
= Imanol* DF 2024[ah] 1 0
= Jon Pacheco* DF 2024[ah] 1 0
= Jon Moncayola* MF 2024[ah] 1 0
= Jon Ander Olasagasti* MF 2024[ah] 1 0
= Oier Zarraga* MF 2024[ah] 1 0
= Iván Martín* MF 2024[ah] 1 0
= Malcom Adu Ares* FW 2024[ah] 1 0
= Álvaro Djaló* FW 2024[ah] 1 1
= Álex Sola* FW 2024[ah] 1 0

Notes

  1. ^ Players who are still active for the national team are players who have not retired from football (although they may have retired from their FIFA international team) and are, subsequently, eligible to be called up.
  2. ^ a b Basque Country score given first in all cases.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g 2–0 vs  Honduras, 2004
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m 3–1 vs  Tunisia, 2016
  5. ^ a b c d e f g 2–2 vs  Catalonia, 2006
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m 0–0 vs  Panama, 2019
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h 1–1 vs  North Macedonia, 2002
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h 0–2 vs  Tunisia, 2011
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p 3–1 vs  Bolivia, 1993
  10. ^ a b c d e f g 0–1 vs  Wales, 2006
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i 5–1 vs  Uruguay, 1998
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 1–1 vs  Catalonia, 2007
  13. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o 2–1 vs  Uruguay, 2003
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l 4–2 vs  Venezuela, 2018
  15. ^ a b c d e f g 3–2 vs  Morocco, 2000
  16. ^ a b c d e f 6–0 vs  Peru, 2013
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h 1–1 vs  Paraguay, 1995
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k 3–1 vs  FR Yugoslavia, 1997
  19. ^ a b c d e f g 4–0 vs  Serbia, 2006
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i 0–1 vs  Cameroon, 2005
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h 6–1 vs  Bolivia, 2012
  22. ^ a b c d 5–1 vs  Nigeria, 1999
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h i 3–2 vs  Ghana, 2001
  24. ^ a b c d e f g h 4–3 vs Venezuela , 2007
  25. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k 3–1 vs  Venezuela, 2010
  26. ^ a b c d e f 2–1 vs  Estonia, 2011
  27. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o 2–1 vs  Costa Rica, 2020
  28. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 1–0 vs  Russia, 1994
  29. ^ a b c d e f g h 1–1 vs  Corsica, 2016
  30. ^ a b c d e f g h 1–1 vs  Catalonia, 2014
  31. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q 2–2 vs  Romania, 1990
  32. ^ a b c d e f 3–0 vs  Estonia, 1996
  33. ^ a b c d 1–0 vs  Catalonia, 2015
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t 1–1 vs  Uruguay, 2024

FIFA international players from the Basque Country

All of the players listed were either born or raised in the Basque region, with most meeting both of those criteria.

Notes

  1. ^ 1916 South American Championship, 1920 South American Championship
  2. ^ UEFA Euro 1984
  3. ^ a b c d e 1986 FIFA World Cup
  4. ^ UEFA Euro 1992
  5. ^ a b c d e f UEFA Euro 1996
  6. ^ a b 1998 FIFA World Cup
  7. ^ a b UEFA Euro 2000
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Olympic Games selection only, no full caps.
  9. ^ a b c 1976 Olympic Games
  10. ^ a b c 2002 FIFA World Cup
  11. ^ a b c UEFA Euro 2004
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o 1920 Olympic Games
  13. ^ a b c d 2014 FIFA World Cup
  14. ^ a b c d 2022 FIFA World Cup
  15. ^ 2023 African Cup of Nations]] (played in 2024)
  16. ^ a b Also played in one unofficial International for Spain in 1913: See Spain national football team results (unofficial matches)#1913.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j 1924 Olympic Games
  18. ^ a b c UEFA Euro 2016
  19. ^ a b c d e f 1996 Olympic Games
  20. ^ a b c d e f g h i UEFA Euro 1980
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h i 1982 FIFA World Cup
  22. ^ a b c d e f g 1990 FIFA World Cup
  23. ^ a b c d e f g h 1994 FIFA World Cup
  24. ^ a b c d e f 1998 FIFA World Cup
  25. ^ a b c d e f g 1950 FIFA World Cup
  26. ^ 2006 FIFA World Cup
  27. ^ UEFA Euro 2008
  28. ^ a b 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
  29. ^ a b c 2010 FIFA World Cup
  30. ^ a b c UEFA Euro 2012
  31. ^ a b c 1980 Olympic Games
  32. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v 1928 Olympic Games
  33. ^ a b c d e UEFA Euro 1988
  34. ^ a b c d e f g Only played in one unofficial international: See Spain national football team results (unofficial matches)#1913.
  35. ^ Only played in two unofficial wartime international matches: See Spain national football team results (unofficial matches)#1937.
  36. ^ a b c d e f Played for the Catalonia national football team
  37. ^ a b c d UEFA Euro 2000
  38. ^ a b Includes 1 match in 1927 not counted by some sources: See Spain national football team results (unofficial matches).
  39. ^ a b c d 1962 FIFA World Cup
  40. ^ a b c d 1978 FIFA World Cup
  41. ^ a b c d e UEFA Euro 1984
  42. ^ a b c d 2018 FIFA World Cup
  43. ^ a b c d e Was selected for the tournament squad but never made his debut.
  44. ^ a b c d e 2012 Olympic Games
  45. ^ a b c 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup
  46. ^ a b c d UEFA Euro 2020 (played in 2021)
  47. ^ a b c 1968 Olympic Games
  48. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l 1934 FIFA World Cup
  49. ^ a b c Also played in 2 additional unofficial wartime matches in 1937 and 1938: See Spain national football team results (unofficial matches).
  50. ^ Errazquin was selected for the 1928 Olympic Games but was not allowed to compete due to his Argentine birthplace and no documents to prove Spanish citizenship
  51. ^ a b c d Played for the Navarre autonomous football team
  52. ^ Also played in 1 additional unofficial wartime match in 1937: See Spain national football team results (unofficial matches).
  53. ^ a b c 1964 European Nations' Cup
  54. ^ a b 1966 FIFA World Cup
  55. ^ a b 2000 Olympic Games
  56. ^ Laporte gained Spanish citizenship due to time spent living in Biscay (2010 to 2018).
  57. ^ a b c d e f g h i UEFA Euro 2024
  58. ^ a b 1992 Olympic Games
  59. ^ Le Normand gained Spanish citizenship due to time spent living in Gipuzkoa (2016 to 2023).
  60. ^ a b c d e 2020 Olympic Games (played in 2021)
  61. ^ Also played in 1 additional unofficial wartime match in 1938: See Spain national football team results (unofficial matches).
  62. ^ Only played in two unofficial wartime international matches: See Spain national football team results (unofficial matches)#1937.
  63. ^ 1952 Olympic Games
  64. ^ 2015 Copa América
  65. ^ 2024 Copa América

Basque heritage

There are many other international footballers with some Basque heritage or connection, for example:

See also

References

  1. ^ Michael Cerna (9 March 2012). "Xabi Alonso, Fernando Llorente and the Best Basque Players: A Starting XI". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  2. ^ "Basque Greatest All-time 23 member team". Soccer, football or whatever. 9 September 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  3. ^ "Basques in the 2018 World Cup". Euskal Kazeta. 17 June 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  4. ^ "Catalonia and Basque Country reignite call for independent national football identities". The Telegraph newspaper, 30 December 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  5. ^ Matt Davis (13 October 2018). "Basque Country: The Spain internationals playing for a different team". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
  6. ^ Convocatorias desde 1915, Euskal Selekzioa
  7. ^ Selección Absoluta, Basque Football Federation