List of Basque footballers
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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)
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 December 2025, 31 matches have been 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 224 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 |
| # | 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 |
| = | Jon 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 |
| = | Aitor Fernández* | GK | 2019[f] | 2025[ai] | 3 | 0 |
| = | Aihen Muñoz* | DF | 2019[f] | 2025[ai] | 3 | 0 |
| = | Ander Guevara* | MF | 2020[aa] | 2025[ai] | 3 | 0 |
| 96 | 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 |
| = | Martín Aguirregabiria* | DF | 2018[n] | 2024[ah] | 2 | 0 |
| = | Oier Zarraga* | MF | 2024[ah] | 2025[ai] | 2 | 0 |
| 128 | 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 | |
| = | 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 | |
| = | Unai Marrero* | GK | 2025[ai] | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Unai García* | DF | 2025[ai] | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Igor Zubeldia* | DF | 2025[ai] | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Iñigo Lekue* | DF | 2025[ai] | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Unai Elgezabal* | DF | 2025[ai] | 1 | 1 | |
| = | Jorge Herrando* | DF | 2025[ai] | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Álvaro Núñez* | DF | 2025[ai] | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Hugo Rincón* | DF | 2025[ai] | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Jon Gorrotxategi* | MF | 2025[ai] | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Jon Guridi* | MF | 2025[ai] | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Pablo Ibáñez* | MF | 2025[ai] | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta* | MF | 2025[ai] | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Mikel Jauregizar* | MF | 2025[ai] | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Kike Barja* | MF | 2025[ai] | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Nico Serrano* | FW | 2025[ai] | 1 | 0 | |
| = | Gorka Guruzeta* | FW | 2025[ai] | 1 | 1 | |
| = | Urko Izeta* | FW | 2025[ai] | 1 | 1 | |
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.
- 1–1 vs
North Macedonia, 2002 - 3–1 vs
FR Yugoslavia, 1997 - 2–1 vs
Costa Rica, 2020 - 1–1 vs
Mandatory Palestine, 2025
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
- Olympic Games selection only, no full caps.
- 2023 Africa 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.
- 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
- Includes 1 match in 1927 not counted by some sources: See Spain national football team results (unofficial matches).
- Was selected for the tournament squad but never made his debut.
- UEFA Euro 2020 (played in 2021)
- 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
- Also played in 1 additional unofficial wartime match in 1937: See Spain national football team results (unofficial matches).
- Laporte gained Spanish citizenship due to time spent living in Biscay (2010 to 2018).
- 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.