When Spain’s World Cup squad dropped last month, the absence of any Real Madrid player raised eyebrows across the football world. But a deep dive into the numbers suggests Luis de la Fuente’s selections were less about politics and more about pure performance metrics. We crunched the stats from WhoScored, which uses a proprietary algorithm to rate players based on over 200 in-game events weighted by pitch location and outcome, to build the best possible Spain XI from the 2025-26 season—league matches only.
The result? A lineup that leans heavily on Barcelona’s La Liga title winners, with a few wild cards thrown in. Here’s who the data says should be wearing La Roja’s shirt this summer.
Goalkeeper: Álex García — Rating 6.68
Premier League Golden Glove winner David Raya might have expected the nod, but his rating of 6.65 trailed García’s 6.68. Raya has been handed the No. 1 jersey for the tournament, yet Unai Simón—who posted the lowest rating of the three at 6.59 while playing for a relegation-threatened side—could still start. García’s cross-city move from Espanyol to Barcelona paid off immediately: he won La Liga in his debut season at Camp Nou.
Defenders: Eric García, Pau Cubarsí, Alejandro Balde
Eric García (rating 6.81) split time between center-back and right-back during Barca’s title run. Tottenham’s Pedro Porro, a more natural right-back option, finished with a lower rating—unsurprising given Spurs’ chaotic campaign. At left-back, Bayer Leverkusen’s Álex Grimaldo posted a blistering 7.18 rating thanks to eight goals and eight assists in the Bundesliga, putting him ahead of Chelsea’s Marc Cucurella (6.74). Center-back Pau Cubarsí, still a teenager, anchored a defense that conceded the fewest goals in La Liga.
Midfield: Pedri, Pablo Fornals, Fermín López
Pedri (rating 7.05) led La Liga in assists this season, delivering 14 for Barcelona. At 23, he’s already heading to his fourth major international tournament—a testament to his consistency. Blast from the past: Pablo Fornals, now back in Spain with Real Betis, scored nine goals and added six assists to help Betis qualify for the Champions League for the first time in ages. His rating of 6.99 wasn’t enough to earn a World Cup call-up at age 30. Fermín López (rating 7.03) was ruled out of the World Cup due to injury, but his six goals and nine assists from the No. 10 role this season suggest he’d have been a valuable option. He’ll be 27 by the next World Cup—likely hitting his prime.
Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Carlos Martín
Lamine Yamal was the highest-rated Spaniard in Europe’s top five leagues this season, posting a 7.35 rating. The 18-year-old bagged 16 goals and 11 assists in La Liga, the only player to hit double figures in both categories. He’s set to make his World Cup debut after starring at Euro 2024. Dani Olmo (rating 7.02) is typically a central playmaker but slots in on the left here—he scored seven and assisted eight for Barca. The real surprise: Alavés striker Carlos Martín topped the forward charts with a 6.96 rating. He scored 14 La Liga goals for a side that finished just one point above the relegation zone, winning 4.8 aerial duels per game—best in the league. Martín hasn’t played for Spain since the under-19 level, but the data suggests he deserved a look.
The omission of Real Madrid players? Statistically justified. No Madridista posted a rating above 6.80 in league play, while Barcelona and Leverkusen stars dominated the top spots. Spain will rely on this form-driven core to repeat their 2010 double—going from European champions to world champions. The numbers say it’s possible. Whether the chemistry clicks on the pitch is another story.
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