Mikel Oyarzabal continues to justify Luis de la Fuente’s trust as Spain’s leading forward. Since the current manager took charge, the Real Sociedad star has scored 12 of his 18 international goals for La Roja, cementing his role at the top of the line.
While he may not possess the physical presence or prolific streak of Haaland or Kane, Oyarzabal’s intelligence, movement, and composure make him indispensable for Spain as they approach the 2026 World Cup.
Under De la Fuente, Oyarzabal has been Spain’s standout goalscorer. In 27 matches, he has netted 12 goals—well ahead of Mikel Merino, who follows with eight.
His game has evolved from that of a squad player to an undisputed starter, particularly following his decisive goal against England in the European Championship final.
This elevation has been aided by Alvaro Morata’s dip in form, leaving Oyarzabal as Spain’s go-to number 9. Beyond scoring, his clever runs and positioning disrupt opposing defences, while his skill from set-pieces adds another dimension.
His goal against Georgia on Saturday marked only his second direct free-kick in professional football—the first being for Real Sociedad against Barcelona in the opening match of the 2021/22 season.
In 2025 alone, Oyarzabal has scored five goals in seven appearances, second only to Merino’s six, highlighting his consistency in the national setup. With less than a year until the World Cup, he has firmly established himself as Spain’s principal striker, ready to lead the line in 2026.
