The Spanish national football team has new heroes. Ferran Torres, Dani Olmo, Rodri, Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams... are the players who have embroidered the second star on the jersey, the names that no one will forget over time. Now all the spotlights are on them. And it's logical, since they have had to pass 16 years to live again a success in the World Cup. But it's also inevitable to look back and remember the footballers who made it possible for the first time.

The most young players in the place did not see them on the grass, although they are sure to have heard about them. Casillas, Puyol, Xavi, Iniesta, Villa... was the best selection of the moment, and therefore achieved two Eurocopas and a World Cup when it seemed like a dream impossible. There are similarities between both teams: defensive solidity, midfield dominance and the powder when it's most necessary. The winning DNA is present in both generations.

If in the last hours you have thought of the selection of 2010, it's possible that you have asked yourself the following question: what would be the perfect lineup if you mix the two teams? Maybe you miss some footballer of the first star in the current, or perhaps you would take one of the present champions to that time. In El HuffPost we have asked our readers about the 11 ideal of the two champions. And this is the result.

The 11 ideal of the champions, according to the readers of El HuffPost

The lineup chosen by our readers has four footballers from the 2026 selection and seven from the 2010 selection. Many still consider that team to be the best in the history of Spain. And it's not surprising, since it was filled with stars who triumphed in the king sport. However, there are current names that appear in the 11 ideal. And with all the merit. The readers of El HuffPost have not forgotten Lamine Yamal, but he is not the only one. This is the final lineup, according to the votes:

  • Goalkeeper: Casillas.
  • Defenders: Cucurella, Puyol, Cubarsí, Sergio Ramos.
  • Midfielders: Iniesta, Rodri, Xavi, Busquets.
  • Forwards: David Villa and Lamine Yamal.

Cucurella, Cubarsí, Rodri and Lamine Yamal are the champions of 2026 who join the legends of 2010. Surely none of them would be out of place in the team that triumphed in South Africa. On the other hand, Casillas, Puyol, Sergio Ramos, Iniesta, Xavi, Busquets and Villa remain in the lineup.

If we analyze the votes for each position, Casillas is the clear starter in the goal, without options for the rest. In defense the favorite is Cucurella, ahead of Puyol. Those left out are Piqué, Pedro Porro or Laporte. The midfield has a king: Andrés Iniesta, the player most voted by our readers. Followed by Rodri and Xavi, also indispensable. The last position in midfield is for Busquets, who takes it away from Xabi Alonso and Pedri. In the forward line the favorite is David Villa, just ahead of Lamine Yamal.

The Spanish national football team is still in form. Their last result was a 1-0 victory over Argentina on July 19, 2026. The Spanish national team has won their last five games, with a record of 5W-0D-0L. Their next game is on September 26, 2026, when they will face England in a World Cup qualifying match.