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La Liga has always been a hotbed for foreign talent, with many players from across the world coming to Spain's top-flight to showcase their skills. Apart from European players, players from places like Africa and South America also come to La Liga due to the exposure it provides them.
However, La Liga has strict rules about non-EU (European Union) players. No more than five of them are allowed at each club, while only three non-EU players can be named in a matchday squad.
Most of the players claim citizenship through their ancestors or relatives, making it easier for the La Liga clubs to have more 'foreign' players in their ranks. Additionally, players who hail from ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific Group) nations that are signatories to the Cotonou Agreement are not considered non-EU due to the Kolpak ruling.
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A few La Liga teams possess more foreign players than local talent
The number of foreign players in La Liga is less compared to the Premier League. But there are still plenty of outside talent that are currently plying their trade in La Liga. Players such as Marcelo and Luis Suarez have been mainstays in the league, while several new foreign stars have also joined the competition this season.
On that note, here's a look at five La Liga teams with the most foreign players at the moment:
#5 FC Barcelona - 15
Barcelona saw Lionel Messi, one of their best ever and one of the greatest foreign imports in La Liga history, depart this summer. The Blaugrana were unable to offer Messi a new contract due to their financial woes. So they had to let him leave on a free transfer in the summer.
The La Liga giants had the joint-most number of foreign players in the league last season. But due to their precarious financial condition, they had to let go several players along with Messi. Apart from the Argentinian, the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Miralem Pjanic also left on loan.
The club brought in the Dutch duo of Memphis Depay and Luuk de Jong this season. Argentina striker Sergio Aguero also joined the La Liga side on a free transfer.
Frenkie de Jong completes Barcelona's Dutch contingent. The club also have La Masia graduates Ronaldo Araujo and Yusuf Demir, who hail from Uruguay and Austria, respectively.
Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen is the most experienced foreign player at the club. He has made 289 appearances for the Blaugrana since joining them in 2014.
Barcelona have made a poor start to their 2021-22 La Liga campaign. They have won just four of their opening ten games to languish in ninth place in the table. That led to head coach Ronald Koeman facing the sack, with Barcelona legend Xavi touted as the favourite to replace him.
#4 Valencia CF - 17
Valencia have had some disappointing La Liga campaigns in the last two seasons, finishing 13th and ninth in the table. However, the club are not far behind when it comes to having foreign talent in the team.
Goncalo Guedes from Portugal and Maxi Gomez from Uruguay are the two most valuable foreign players in their squad. They form a crucial part of their attack. Russian winger Denis Cheryshev and Portuguese winger Helder Costa, who is on loan from Leeds, also form part of the Los Murcielagos' attack.
In defence, the La Liga side signed Paraguayan centre-back Omar Alderete to partner Gabriel Paulista. In between the sticks, Valencia have experienced Dutch goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen, who arrived from Barcelona in the summer of 2019. Danish midfielder Daniel Wass has been a regular for Valencia in midfield since arriving at the club in 2018.
Valencia have had a similar campaign to their last two seasons so far. They find themselves in the bottom half of the La Liga table, with just three wins in 11 league games.
They will certainly have to improve their form soon if they have any ambitions of playing European football next season.
#3 Real Madrid - 18
Real Madrid are arguably the most well-known side in La Liga to attract foreign talent. Los Blancos have signed several 'galacticos' in the 21st century. Although Real Madrid didn't make any Galactico signings this summer, they still have 18 foreigners in their squad, the third-highest in the competition.
Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has been first-choice between the sticks for Los Blancos, with Ukrainian Andriy Lunin serving as back-up to the Belgian. The departure of club legend Sergio Ramos and centre-back Raphael Varane saw the La Liga side bring in David Alaba from Bayern Munich on a free transfer. Along with Alaba, Ferland Mendy, Eder Militao and the ever-present Marcelo complete the club's foreign contingent in defence.
The trio of Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos have been mainstays in the Madrid midfield for many years. They have made a combined 1023 appearances for the club. Madrid also brought in French prodigy Eduardo Camavinga this summer. Meanwhile, Uruguay international Federico Valverde has been a regular in the side since breaking into the first team.
French forward Karim Benzema has arguably been La Liga's most in-form player this season. He has registered nine goals and seven assists in just ten league games. Along with him, 21-year-old Brazilian winger Vinicius Jr. has also been in sublime form. The youngster has scored five goals in La Liga for Madrid this season.
Los Blancos' last Galactico signing, Eden Hazard, has had a really disappointing stint in Spain so far. The winger has struggled with constant injuries, managing only 52 appearances across competitions since arriving in the summer of 2019.
Real Madrid have made a fine start to their 2021-22 campaign. They are second in the La Liga table right now as they look to regain the title this season.
#2 Sevilla FC - 19
Sevilla have arguably been one of the best teams in La Liga since Julen Lopetegui took charge of the club in 2019. They have finished in the top four in each of the last two seasons. Sevilla have also done pretty well on the European stage, winning the 2019-20 Europa League.
Their success can be credited to club director Monchi, who is known to have an eye for talent. He has signed several potential stars from across the world for the club. Los Nervionenses currently have 19 foreign players in their squad, the joint-highest in La Liga this season.
Moroccan international Bono has played a crucial part in between the sticks for Sevilla since arriving in 2019. French centre-back Jules Kounde, who was heavily linked with Chelsea, partners Brazilian Diego Carlos to form a strong backline for the La Liga outfit. Argentina international Marcus Acuna arrived at the club last summer. Since then, he has been a regular starter at left-back for Lopetegui's side.
Sevilla brought in Danish international Thomas Delaney this summer to bolster their midfield. Meanwhile, Argentine duo Papu Gomez and Erik Lamela, along with Moroccan centre-forward Youssef En-Neysri, forms a formidable attack for the Spanish side.
Sevilla have started the new season brightly. They are currently third in the La Liga table, level on points with Real Madrid.
#1 Atletico Madrid - 19
Along with Sevilla, La Liga holders Atletico Madrid have the highest number of foreign players in their squad. Interestingly, Los Rojblancos have only three Spanish players in their ranks. The rest of their squad comprises foreign talent.
Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak is, without a doubt, the best goalkeeper in La Liga right now. He played a key role in Atletico's title run last season, keeping 18 clean sheets. At centre-back, the club have Uruguay international Jose Gimenez alongside Montenegro's Stefan Savic, who have formed a reliable partnership in defence.
Kieran Trippier, the league's only English player, has been brilliant for Atletico at right-back. Meanwhile, Brazilian international Renan Lodi covers the left flank for Simeone's side.
The reigning La Liga winners also have a formidable midfield, with Geoffrey Kondogbia and Thomas Lemar. They have strengthened that further by adding Argentina's Copa America 2021 star, Rodrigo de Paul this summer.
Atletico's most expensive player, Joao Felix, hails from Portugal. He was signed from Benfica for a whopping €130 million. To partner him in attack, the club brought back French international Antoine Griezmann, albeit on loan, from Barcelona.
The Rojiblancos also have Uruguayan centre-forward Luis Suarez, who arrived from Barcelona last season. He played a key role in Atletico's title win, scoring 21 goals for the La Liga giants.
Atletico's current form has been patchy, though. They sit in sixth place in the La Liga table, with five wins and four draws from their opening ten games. With other teams also doing well, Atletico Madrid will certainly need to step up if they have any hope of retaining their La Liga title this season.
