When Mikel Oyarzabal stepped off the bench and swept home Spain's winning goal against England in the Euro 2024 final, most observers assumed it was the crowning moment of his career. In reality, it may have been the launchpad for an even greater chapter — one that could culminate at this summer's FIFA World Cup 2026.

Álvaro Morata captained Spain in Germany two years ago but has since lost his place entirely, having failed to score a single league goal for Como in Serie A last season. Oyarzabal has filled that void with authority, netting 13 goals in 16 caps since that Berlin final. His scoring rate for the national side now surpasses the records of Emiliano Butragueño, Raúl, and Fernando Torres — and a brace against Serbia in March already put him inside the all-time top 10 scorers for Spain, leapfrogging Alfredo Di Stefano in the process.

Oyarzabal's transformation

Once a winger at Real Sociedad, the 29-year-old has been reinvented as a central striker, and those close to the national team believe he is ready to announce himself on the world stage. Former Spain international Gaizka Mendieta, who represented his country at the 2002 World Cup, is among the believers.