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.
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.
Basque Country national team players (since 1990)
See also: Basque Country national football team resultsListed 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.
| Key | |
|---|---|
| * | Still active for the national team |
| = | Player is tied for the number of caps |
| GK | Goalkeeper |
| DF | Defender |
| MF | Midfielder |
| FW | Forward |
| # | Name | Position | First cap | Last cap | Caps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Xabi Prieto | MF | 2004 | 2016 | 14 | 0 |
| 2 | Aritz Aduriz | FW | 2006 | 2019 | 13 | 12 |
| 3 | Igor Gabilondo | MF | 2002 | 2011 | 12 | 1 |
| = | Gorka Iraizoz | GK | 2004 | 2016 | 12 | 0 |
| 5 | Julen Guerrero | MF | 1993 | 2006 | 11 | 6 |
| = | Joseba Etxeberria | FW | 1998 | 2007 | 11 | 2 |
| = | Asier Riesgo | GK | 2003 | 2018 | 11 | 0 |
| 8 | Bittor Alkiza | MF | 1993 | 2002 | 9 | 0 |
| = | Aitor López Rekarte | DF | 2000 | 2007 | 9 | 0 |
| = | Mikel Aranburu | MF | 2002 | 2011 | 9 | 0 |
| = | Andoni Iraola | DF | 2003 | 2013 | 9 | 0 |
| 12 | Agustín Aranzábal | DF | 1995 | 2003 | 8 | 0 |
| = | Ismael Urzaiz | FW | 1997 | 2006 | 8 | 3 |
| = | Mikel Labaka | DF | 2005 | 2012 | 8 | 1 |
| = | Iñigo Martínez* | DF | 2011 | 2019 | 8 | 0 |
| 16 | José Antonio Pikabea | DF | 1993 | 1999 | 7 | 0 |
| = | Javi de Pedro | MF | 1995 | 2001 | 7 | 2 |
| = | Mikel González | DF | 2007 | 2016 | 7 | 0 |
| = | Markel Susaeta | MF | 2010 | 2016 | 7 | 1 |
| = | Gaizka Toquero | FW | 2010 | 2016 | 7 | 2 |
| = | Mikel San José | MF | 2011 | 2019 | 7 | 0 |
| = | Mikel Balenziaga | DF | 2012 | 2020 | 7 | 0 |
| 23 | Aitor Karanka | DF | 1994 | 2004 | 6 | 0 |
| = | Gaizka Mendieta | MF | 1998 | 2007 | 6 | 1 |
| = | Carlos Gurpegui | MF | 2003 | 2016 | 6 | 1 |
| = | Ion Ansotegi | DF | 2010 | 2016 | 6 | 0 |
| = | Ander Iturraspe | MF | 2011 | 2016 | 6 | 0 |
| = | Yuri Berchiche* | DF | 2014 | 2020 | 6 | 0 |
| 29 | Rafael Alkorta | DF | 1990 | 1999 | 5 | 0 |
| = | Josu Urrutia | MF | 1990 | 2001 | 5 | 2 |
| = | Kuko Ziganda | FW | 1994 | 1998 | 5 | 4 |
| = | Xabier Eskurza | MF | 1994 | 1999 | 5 | 0 |
| = | Bolo | FW | 1996 | 2003 | 5 | 4 |
| = | Iñigo Idiakez | MF | 1996 | 2000 | 5 | 2 |
| = | Antonio Karmona | DF | 1999 | 2003 | 5 | 0 |
| = | Xabi Alonso | MF | 2001 | 2012 | 5 | 0 |
| = | Fran Yeste | MF | 2003 | 2007 | 5 | 3 |
| = | Gaizka Garitano | MF | 2003 | 2007 | 5 | 0 |
| = | Mikel Alonso | MF | 2004 | 2007 | 5 | 0 |
| = | Fernando Llorente | FW | 2005 | 2007 | 5 | 1 |
| = | Javier Garrido | DF | 2006 | 2016 | 5 | 0 |
| = | David Zurutuza | MF | 2010 | 2018 | 5 | 0 |
| = | Imanol Agirretxe | FW | 2010 | 2015 | 5 | 3 |
| = | Oier | DF | 2010 | 2020 | 5 | 0 |
| = | Markel Bergara | MF | 2011 | 2016 | 5 | 1 |
| = | Ander Capa* | DF | 2014 | 2020 | 5 | 0 |
| = | Roberto Torres* | MF | 2013 | 2024 | 5 | 1 |
| = | Dani García* | MF | 2014 | 2024 | 5 | 0 |
| 49 | Patxi Ferreira | DF | 1990 | 1997 | 4 | 0 |
| = | Ion Andoni Goikoetxea | MF | 1990 | 1996 | 4 | 1 |
| = | Andoni Imaz | MF | 1993 | 1997 | 4 | 0 |
| = | Andoni Zubizarreta | GK | 1993 | 1997 | 4 | 0 |
| = | Iñigo Larrainzar | DF | 1995 | 2000 | 4 | 0 |
| = | Alberto | GK | 1998 | 2001 | 4 | 0 |
| = | Imanol Etxeberria | GK | 1998 | 2003 | 4 | 0 |
| = | Óscar de Paula | FW | 1998 | 2001 | 4 | 5 |
| = | César Cruchaga | DF | 2001 | 2006 | 4 | 0 |
| = | Asier Del Horno | DF | 2003 | 2007 | 4 | 0 |
| = | Fernando Amorebieta | DF | 2007 | 2011 | 4 | 0 |
| = | Iker Muniain* | MF | 2010 | 2020 | 4 | 2 |
| = | Beñat | MF | 2011 | 2014 | 4 | 0 |
| = | Jon Aurtenetxe* | DF | 2011 | 2015 | 4 | 0 |
| = | Mikel Rico | MF | 2011 | 2016 | 4 | 0 |
| = | Ibai | FW | 2012 | 2018 | 4 | 2 |
| = | Asier Illarramendi* | MF | 2013 | 2018 | 4 | 1 |
| = | Javier Eraso* | MF | 2015 | 2019 | 4 | 0 |
| = | Manu García | MF | 2016 | 2020 | 4 | 0 |
| 70 | Ander Garitano | MF | 1993 | 1996 | 3 | 0 |
| = | Julen Lopetegui | GK | 1993 | 2000 | 3 | 0 |
| = | Mikel Lasa | DF | 1993 | 1997 | 3 | 0 |
| = | Andoni Cedrún | GK | 1994 | 1997 | 3 | 0 |
| = | Imanol Alguacil | DF | 1994 | 1997 | 3 | 0 |
| = | Javier Olaizola | DF | 1998 | 2003 | 3 | 0 |
| = | Patxi Puñal | MF | 2002 | 2007 | 3 | 0 |
| = | Tiko | MF | 2003 | 2006 | 3 | 0 |
| = | Luis Prieto | DF | 2003 | 2006 | 3 | 0 |
| = | Joseba Llorente | FW | 2004 | 2010 | 3 | 0 |
| = | Gari Uranga | FW | 2005 | 2006 | 3 | 1 |
| = | Pablo Orbaiz | MF | 2005 | 2007 | 3 | 0 |
| = | Pantxi Sirieix | MF | 2006 | 2011 | 3 | 0 |
| = | Josu Sarriegi | DF | 2006 | 2007 | 3 | 1 |
| = | Iñaki Lafuente | GK | 2006 | 2007 | 3 | 0 |
| = | Iñaki Muñoz | MF | 2006 | 2007 | 3 | 0 |
| = | Carlos Martínez | DF | 2012 | 2015 | 3 | 0 |
| = | Eneko Bóveda | DF | 2014 | 2016 | 3 | 0 |
| = | Xabi Etxeita | DF | 2014 | 2016 | 3 | 0 |
| = | Aritz Elustondo* | DF | 2018 | 2024 | 3 | 1 |
| = | Asier Villalibre* | FW | 2019 | 2024 | 3 | 0 |
| 93 | Genar Andrinúa | DF | 1990 | 1996 | 2 | 1 |
| = | José Luis Ribera | DF | 1993 | 1994 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Luis López Rekarte | DF | 1993 | 1994 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Txiki Begiristain | FW | 1993 | 1994 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Julio Salinas | FW | 1993 | 1994 | 2 | 2 |
| = | Óscar Vales | DF | 1995 | 1997 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Roberto Ríos | DF | 1996 | 1997 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Iván Campo | MF | 2000 | 2006 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Ibon Begoña | DF | 2001 | 2002 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Ricardo Sanzol | GK | 2002 | 2004 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Edu Alonso | MF | 2002 | 2006 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Unai Expósito | DF | 2004 | 2005 | 2 | 0 |
| = | José Barkero | MF | 2005 | 2010 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Aitor Ocio | DF | 2005 | 2006 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Javi Martínez* | MF | 2006 | 2010 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Aitor | MF | 2006 | 2007 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Borja Ekiza | DF | 2011 | 2013 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Gorka Elustondo | MF | 2011 | 2016 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Kike Sola | FW | 2011 | 2012 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Eñaut Zubikarai | GK | 2012 | 2013 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Joseba Zaldúa* | DF | 2016 | 2016 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Sabin* | FW | 2016 | 2016 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Anaitz Arbilla* | DF | 2018 | 2020 | 2 | 1 |
| = | Jon Bautista* | FW | 2018 | 2020 | 2 | 1 |
| = | Iñaki Williams* | FW | 2018 | 2020 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Iago Herrerín* | GK | 2019 | 2020 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Mikel Vesga* | MF | 2018 | 2024 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Aitor Fernández* | GK | 2019 | 2024 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Ander Guevara* | MF | 2020 | 2024 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Aihen Muñoz* | DF | 2019 | 2020 | 2 | 0 |
| = | Martín Aguirregabiria* | DF | 2018 | 2024 | 2 | 0 |
| 124 | Vicente Biurrun | GK | 1990 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Eugenio Bustingorri | DF | 1990 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Alberto Górriz | DF | 1990 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Pedro Uralde | FW | 1990 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | David Villabona | MF | 1990 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Andoni Lakabeg | DF | 1990 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Andoni Goikoetxea | DF | 1990 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Eduardo Estíbariz | DF | 1990 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Estanislao Argote | MF | 1990 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Patxi Iru (es) | GK | 1990 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Luciano Iturrino (es) | MF | 1990 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Pizo Gómez (es) | MF | 1990 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Ernesto Valverde | FW | 1993 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | José Mari Bakero | MF | 1993 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Juan Antonio Larrañaga | DF | 1993 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Bixente Lizarazu | DF | 1993 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Jokin Uría (es) | DF | 1994 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Gontzal Suances (es) | FW | 1995 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Juanjo Valencia | GK | 1995 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Miguel Ángel Fuentes | DF | 1995 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Patxi Salinas | DF | 1995 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Aitor Larrazábal | DF | 1997 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Luis Pérez | FW | 1997 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Iñaki Berruet (es) | DF | 1998 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | François Grenet | DF | 1998 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Txomin Nagore | MF | 2000 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Ángel Lekumberri (es) | MF | 2000 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Javi González | MF | 2001 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Juan Carlos Unzué | GK | 2001 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Unai | DF | 2002 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | David Karanka | FW | 2003 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Pablo Gómez | MF | 2003 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Armando | GK | 2005 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Raúl García | MF | 2005 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Ander Murillo | DF | 2006 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Javier Casas | DF | 2006 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Javier López Vallejo | GK | 2006 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Mikel Dañobeitia | FW | 2006 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Unai Alba | GK | 2007 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Jon Urzelai | DF | 2007 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Koikili | DF | 2010 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Xabi Castillo | DF | 2012 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Óscar de Marcos* | MF | 2013 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Xabi Irureta | GK | 2014 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Mikel Arruabarrena | FW | 2014 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Mikel Oyarzabal* | FW | 2016 | 1 | 1 | |
| = | Oier Olazábal* | GK | 2016 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Luca Sangalli* | MF | 2018 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Jon Ander Serantes* | GK | 2018 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Daniel Vivian* | DF | 2019 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Unai Bustinza* | DF | 2019 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Jesús Areso* | DF | 2019 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Gaizka Larrazabal* | MF | 2019 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Iñigo Vicente* | FW | 2019 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Jon Morcillo* | MF | 2020 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Yeray Álvarez* | DF | 2020 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Unai Núñez* | DF | 2020 | 1 | 1 | |
| = | Julen Agirrezabala* | GK | 2024 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Andoni Gorosabel* | DF | 2024 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Urko González de Zarate* | DF | 2024 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Imanol* | DF | 2024 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Jon Pacheco* | DF | 2024 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Jon Moncayola* | MF | 2024 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Jon Ander Olasagasti* | MF | 2024 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Oier Zarraga* | MF | 2024 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Iván Martín* | MF | 2024 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Malcom Adu Ares* | FW | 2024 | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Álvaro Djaló* | FW | 2024 | 1 | 1 | |
| = | Álex Sola* | FW | 2024 | 1 | 0 | |
Notes
- 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.
- ^ Basque Country score given first in all cases.
- ^ 2–0 vs
Honduras, 2004
- ^ 3–1 vs
Tunisia, 2016
- ^ 2–2 vs
Catalonia, 2006
- ^ 0–0 vs
Panama, 2019
- ^ 1–1 vs
North Macedonia, 2002
- ^ 0–2 vs Tunisia, 2011
- ^ 3–1 vs
Bolivia, 1993
- ^ 0–1 vs
Wales, 2006
- ^ 5–1 vs
Uruguay, 1998
- ^ 1–1 vs Catalonia, 2007
- ^ 2–1 vs Uruguay, 2003
- ^ 4–2 vs
Venezuela, 2018
- ^ 3–2 vs
Morocco, 2000
- ^ 6–0 vs
Peru, 2013
- ^ 1–1 vs
Paraguay, 1995
- ^ 3–1 vs
FR Yugoslavia, 1997
- ^ 4–0 vs
Serbia, 2006
- ^ 0–1 vs
Cameroon, 2005
- ^ 6–1 vs Bolivia, 2012
- ^ 5–1 vs
Nigeria, 1999
- ^ 3–2 vs
Ghana, 2001
- ^ 4–3 vs Venezuela , 2007
- ^ 3–1 vs Venezuela, 2010
- ^ 2–1 vs
Estonia, 2011
- ^ 2–1 vs
Costa Rica, 2020
- ^ 1–0 vs
Russia, 1994
- ^ 1–1 vs
Corsica, 2016
- ^ 1–1 vs Catalonia, 2014
- ^ 2–2 vs
Romania, 1990
- ^ 3–0 vs Estonia, 1996
- ^ 1–0 vs Catalonia, 2015
- ^ 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.
- Players in bold have won the FIFA World Cup
- Players in underlined have won a continental championships
- Players in italics have won the gold medal at the Olympic Games
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Notes
- 1916 South American Championship, 1920 South American Championship
- UEFA Euro 1984
- ^ 1986 FIFA World Cup
- UEFA Euro 1992
- ^ UEFA Euro 1996
- ^ 1998 FIFA World Cup
- ^ UEFA Euro 2000
- ^ Olympic Games selection only, no full caps.
- ^ 1976 Olympic Games
- ^ 2002 FIFA World Cup
- ^ UEFA Euro 2004
- ^ 1920 Olympic Games
- ^ 2014 FIFA World Cup
- ^ 2022 FIFA World Cup
- 2023 African Cup of Nations]] (played in 2024)
- ^ Also played in one unofficial International for Spain in 1913: See Spain national football team results (unofficial matches)#1913.
- ^ 1924 Olympic Games
- ^ UEFA Euro 2016
- ^ 1996 Olympic Games
- ^ UEFA Euro 1980
- ^ 1982 FIFA World Cup
- ^ 1990 FIFA World Cup
- ^ 1994 FIFA World Cup
- ^ 1998 FIFA World Cup
- ^ 1950 FIFA World Cup
- 2006 FIFA World Cup
- UEFA Euro 2008
- ^ 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
- ^ 2010 FIFA World Cup
- ^ UEFA Euro 2012
- ^ 1980 Olympic Games
- ^ 1928 Olympic Games
- ^ UEFA Euro 1988
- ^ Only played in one unofficial international: See Spain national football team results (unofficial matches)#1913.
- Only played in two unofficial wartime international matches: See Spain national football team results (unofficial matches)#1937.
- ^ Played for the Catalonia national football team
- ^ UEFA Euro 2000
- ^ Includes 1 match in 1927 not counted by some sources: See Spain national football team results (unofficial matches).
- ^ 1962 FIFA World Cup
- ^ 1978 FIFA World Cup
- ^ UEFA Euro 1984
- ^ 2018 FIFA World Cup
- ^ Was selected for the tournament squad but never made his debut.
- ^ 2012 Olympic Games
- ^ 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup
- ^ UEFA Euro 2020 (played in 2021)
- ^ 1968 Olympic Games
- ^ 1934 FIFA World Cup
- ^ Also played in 2 additional unofficial wartime matches in 1937 and 1938: See Spain national football team results (unofficial matches).
- 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
- ^ Played for the Navarre autonomous football team
- Also played in 1 additional unofficial wartime match in 1937: See Spain national football team results (unofficial matches).
- ^ 1964 European Nations' Cup
- ^ 1966 FIFA World Cup
- ^ 2000 Olympic Games
- Laporte gained Spanish citizenship due to time spent living in Biscay (2010 to 2018).
- ^ UEFA Euro 2024
- ^ 1992 Olympic Games
- Le Normand gained Spanish citizenship due to time spent living in Gipuzkoa (2016 to 2023).
- ^ 2020 Olympic Games (played in 2021)
- Also played in 1 additional unofficial wartime match in 1938: See Spain national football team results (unofficial matches).
- Only played in two unofficial wartime international matches: See Spain national football team results (unofficial matches)#1937.
- 1952 Olympic Games
- 2015 Copa América
- 2024 Copa América
See also
- Basque Football Federation
- List of Basque female footballers
- List of France international footballers
- List of Spain international footballers
- Athletic Bilbao signing policy
- List of Athletic Bilbao players
- List of Real Sociedad players
- Navarre autonomous football team
References
- Michael Cerna (9 March 2012). "Xabi Alonso, Fernando Llorente and the Best Basque Players: A Starting XI". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
- "Basque Greatest All-time 23 member team". Soccer, football or whatever. 9 September 2015. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
- "Basques in the 2018 World Cup". Euskal Kazeta. 17 June 2018. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
- "Catalonia and Basque Country reignite call for independent national football identities". The Telegraph newspaper, 30 December 2013. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
- Matt Davis (13 October 2018). "Basque Country: The Spain internationals playing for a different team". BBC Sport. Retrieved 4 March 2019.
- Convocatorias desde 1915, Euskal Selekzioa
- Selección Absoluta, Basque Football Federation
External links
- Spain national team players (with province of birth) at BDFutbol
- List of all Basque players who have played international football at rsssf.com
- Euskal Selekzioa Online (in Basque and Spanish)
 National sports teams of the Basque Country | |
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