Mikel Oyarzabal: Spain's quiet goalscorer heads into seventh major final

Mikel Oyarzabal, the Basque forward for Real Sociedad, stands out as Spain's most prolific active goalscorer, a notable achievement for a player who has remained with his boyhood club and does not play for one of Europe's elite teams. He is preparing to participate in his seventh major final when Spain faces Argentina, having found the net in each of the previous six.

This World Cup has largely been defined by the dominance of star players, with the top teams featuring prolific scorers like Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham, and Erling Haaland. Oyarzabal, with five goals, is an unusual presence among these footballing giants, highlighting his consistent performance and importance to the Spanish squad.

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One of the striking characteristics of this World Cup will remain the dominance of star players. In the best teams, those that concentrate the most talent, the goals have most often been scored by one or two players.

Born in 1997 in the Basque Country, a region he has never left, Oyarzabal's journey is unique. His inclusion among the tournament's leading scorers, a list typically reserved for global superstars, underscores his quiet effectiveness and dedication. As he heads into another significant final, Oyarzabal represents a different kind of success story in a tournament often dominated by household names.

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Mikel Oyarzabal, born in 1997 in the Basque Country, which he has never left, is the only player on this list not to play