Spain's 5 most entertaining footballers of all time

#3. Xavi Hernandez

Xavi Hernandez was one of the most visionary central midfielders to play the game.

Xavier Hernandez Creus was born in Terrassa, Spain, in 1980 and began his youth career at a local club before joining Barcelona's La Masia academy in 1991. Xavi went on to become one of Spain's and Barcelona's greatest captains and players.

The former Spain captain's playing style was unique. Although he did not put up goals or assist numbers in most of the games he played in, Xavi's passing range, vision, technique and presence of mind was amazing to watch.

Here's a video montage of Xavi's incredible passing ability:

Xavi played 767 games for Barcelona, scoring 85 goals and providing 185 assists. During his tenure, he won eight La Liga titles, three Copa del Rey cups, two FIFA Club World Cups and four Champions League titles.

Xavi was also extremely successful with the Spain team, winning back-to-back Euros in 2008 and 2012, with their 2010 World Cup win sandwiched between European glory. No other player created more chances than the Spain midfielder's 30 at the 2010 World Cup.

Xavi is currently Barcelona's manager, having come full circle in his career. After a long period of consistent success and a golden generation, he has his task cut out for him to bring Barca back on track for the future.

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#2. Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres was a striker who could give any defender nightmares on his day.

Fernando Jose Torres Sanz was born in Fuenlabrada, Spain, in 1984. He played for various youth clubs before joining Atleti's academy in 1995. Torres signed his first senior contract with the club in 2001 and is most remembered for his first spell with Atletico and his stint at Liverpool.

Torres played 726 games in his career, scoring 256 goals and providing 80 assists. His pace, power and direct style of play made him one of the toughest players to defend against. He was reasonably two-footed, had a venomous shot and was good in the air as well. The only downside, unfortunately, was his injury record and the slumps in form he faced after recovering.

The striker was a key member of Spain's squad that broke their international trophy duck in 2008 at the Euros. Torres scored the only goal in the final to hand Spain a 1-0 win over Germany. Running onto a delicious through ball by Xavi, the Spain striker coolly lifted the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to score.

The striker was in his prime during his Liverpool days (2007-11). He was a constant thorn in any defender's side and scored some wonderful goals over the course of his spell with the Reds.

You can watch a montage of a few of Torres' best moments in a Liverpool shirt below:

Fernando Torres currently works in Spain and is the manager of Atletico Madrid's U-19 side.

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#1. Andres Iniesta

Andres Iniesta was one of Spain's most creative and innovative midfielders.

Andres Iniesta Lujan was born in Fuentealbilla, Spain, in 1984 and began his youth career with Albacete before joining La Masia in 1996. Iniesta played the majority of his playing career at Barcelona and was a key member of their historic treble-winning sides of 2009 and 2015.

Iniesta, like Xavi, was a midfielder whose touches, movement, dribbling among others, showed his exceptional level. He has played 674 games for Barcelona, scoring 57 goals and providing 138 assists.

Iniesta also made 131 appearances for Spain, scoring 13 goals. However, no other goal among his 13 was as important as his extra-time winner against the Netherlands in the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final.

Iniesta has won nine La Liga titles, six Copa del Rey cups, four Champions League titles and three Club World Cups with Barcelona. He was also part of Spain's squad that won the Euros in 2008 and 2012 and the World Cup in 2010.

Here is a montage of the Spain midfielder's exquisite dribbling technique:

Iniesta left Barcelona for Vissel Kobe in Japan in 2018. He currently still plays for the Japanese club and is slowly nearing 100 appearances for them.