Few fancied Spain coming into EURO 2020 over the summer with the likes of France and Belgium seen as having a much better chance of playing the attractive football previously expected of La Roja.
Although they didn’t end up lifting the trophy, Luis Enrique’s side impressed most neutrals with the likes of Ferran Torres doing a good job of picking up where his namesake Fernando left off.
With the golden generation legends Andres Iniesta, Xavi and David Villa all recently departed from the national team, we look at ten young Spanish wonderkids with the most potential on FIFA 22.
Best French Wonderkids in FIFA 22
10. Fabio Blanco (Eintracht Frankfurt: RM)
First up is Fabio Blanco, a raw 17-year-old talented wide midfielder plying his trade in the German Bundesliga with Eintracht Frankfurt. Quite frankly, he isn’t usable straight away with an overall rating of 62 not being much to write home about but there is plenty of promise for the future.
His sprint speed (74) and acceleration (74) are useful, as are his balance (71) and agility (70), suggesting he will be a useful creative force in the future. Blanco is expected to reach an overall of 83 at his prime.
9. Unai Vencedor (Athletic club de Bilbao: CM, CDM)
Unai Vencedor is our first central midfielder of our countdown but in truth it appears that the Bilbao youngster can play pretty much anywhere on the field.
Amongst other things, Vencedor is a set piece specialist with his best attribute being his free kick accuracy (81), backed up by his long shots (79) and shot power (74). Perhaps even more impressive is his stamina (80) which will be crucial in the midfield engine room while he also possesses the long passing trait as well as good tackling (79).
Vencedor has everything needed to be a top class central midfielder. The next Xabi Alonso perhaps?
8. Nico Melamed (RCD Espanyol: LM)
We’ll get to a more recognisable winger later in our countdown but Espanyol’s Nico Melamed is a lesser known name who should also be considered as one to watch. At the age of 20, Melamed is already fleet-footed with sprint speed of 83 and 84 acceleration.
The Espanyol man’s game is all about taking on his opponent, something Melamed is more than capable of doing thanks to his agility (84) and balance (84) as well as his technical dribbler and flair traits. He’s certainly an exciting talent with the potential to reach 85 overall, the same as Marcus Rashford and Serge Gnabry.
7. Ilaix Moriba (RB Leipzig: CM)
Ilaix Moriba is our next central midfielder to make our top ten. At the age of 18, Moriba is already 6 foot tall and has 75 stamina, suggesting he will become a powerful presence in the middle of the park. He is also technically good on the ball and his four star weak foot and skill moves are a nice bonus added to his short passing (76) and dribbling (76).
He has the potential to reach 85, the same as Wilfried Ndidi.
6. Eric Garcia (Barcelona: CB)
Those who follow the Premier League will already be familiar with the work of Eric Garcia from his short time at Manchester City. Now he plays alongside the man who many hope he will replace at Barcelona, Gerard Pique and the early signs are that he will do exactly that.
He already has ratings of 79 in composure, interceptions and short passing as well as 78 in standing tackle and defensive awareness. Garcia is set to become one of the best centre backs in the game if he reaches his full potential of 85.
5. Gavi (Barcelona: CM)
Barcelona may just have found their new Xavi, and not just because his name is remarkably similar. Gavi has it all and he’s only 16 and with the aforementioned legend now his manager at club level, there’s no limit to how good he could be.
With his short and long passing at 75 as well as great balance (82) and vision (78), he couldn’t fit the Xavi/Iniesta blueprint any more if he tried. Even at 16 he is probably usable in game already but is projected to reach 86 overall at his peak.
4. Bryan Gil (Tottenham Hotspur: CAM)
From the new Xavi to the new David Silva. These comparisons may seem lazy but when they’re this similar, it’d be rude not to as Bryan Gil mirrors El Magico all the way down to his haircut.
Tottenham moved quickly to secure his signature last summer and if they get a player half as good as Silva they’ll be delighted. The early signs are good: Gil already has 89 agility, 82 dribbling and 81 balance. Silva-like, you could say.
At 20 years of age, Gil is already rated at 76 with the potential to rise up to 86 at his peak.
3. Yeremy Pino (Villareal: RM)
Next up is the pint-sized Yeremy Pino who is highly regarded and also well established as a first team player at Villareal at the age of 18. He’s another young star in that mould of flawless technical ability, with his top attributes being his dribbling, agility and balance (all rated 77 already).
The sky is the limit for Pino and it looks likely he could go on to surpass the career of Villareal legend Santi Cazorla, to whom many comparisons will no doubt be made.
2. Ansu Fati (Barcelona: LW)
If Nico Melamed is fleet-footed, Ansu Fati is absolutely rapid. The winger burst on to the scene at Barca and hasn’t looked back with many believing that he will go on to become one of the best players in the world.
Sprint speed of 87 with 90 acceleration is absolutely terrifying for any full back that has the misfortune of facing up to Ansu Fati, coupled up with 89 agility and 82 dribbling. Already rated 78 at the age of 18, potentially rising to 90 at his frightening peak.
1. Pedri (Barcelona: CM)
At number one we see Gavi’s mate, another new Xavi/Iniesta and a player that despite being just 18 years of age has already made what feels like 200 appearances. He’s basically undroppable in every team he’s part of, whether that be Barcelona, Spain’s first team or Spain’s Olympic team.
Pedri has it all and is all set to be a Barca and Spain legend. Balance of 89, agility of 88, short passing of 85, 86 vision…need I go on? He’s set to be the best central midfielder in the world as he edges above his peak, reaching a FIFA overall rating of 91 that puts him level with Kevin De Bruyne and better than Ngolo Kante.
No wonder he already has a release fee of 121.5 million euros…
