🎮 That's just unfair! The world's best team get a new cheat code | OneFootball

Spain are without any doubt THE dominant football nation of recent years. The Iberians are European champions at U19 level, as well as European and world champions at senior level. After a dry spell between 2012 and 2024, the Spaniards have impressively reclaimed their status as the ultimate powerhouse of the 21st century.

Even more impressive is the fact that La Furia Roja pulled off this feat without an absolute top-class striker. During their Euro 2024 triumph, a slightly ageing Álvaro Morata led the line, while at the last World Cup it was Mikel Oyarzabal – a false nine from Real Sociedad who has never played outside the Basque Country in his career.

To be clear: both Morata and Oyarzabal are underrated players of international calibre. However, they are not among the very best in their position.

For Spain’s ultra-dominant style of play, that was not even necessary. The Spanish midfield is too secure on the ball, the counter-pressing too perfectly structured. Even so, more than a few observers have likely wondered just how ridiculously good this team would be if they had a forward like Erling Haaland in their ranks.

Have Spain found their new striker?

Well, we are still quite a long way from that thought experiment becoming reality. Still, a star is currently rising in Spain’s striking heavens who may shine brighter than his predecessors of recent years. The player in question is Roberto Fernández.

The 24-year-old is currently under contract with Espanyol Barcelona and has made a flying start to the new season there. In seven league matches so far, he has scored an impressive six goals for the small Catalan club. Fernández could well surpass his seven-goal tally from last season shortly after the international break.

📸 Alex Caparros - 2026 Getty Images

Speaking of the international break: during the current call-up period, the breakout star is set to feature for the Spanish national team for the very first time. In the Nations League, Luis de La Fuente’s side will face Croatia twice, as well as England and the Czech Republic. Fernández will get his first chance to prove himself there and compete for a place at the tip of the attack.

One thing is also clear: in the battle with Oyarzabal and World Cup final hero Ferran Torres, the newcomer is initially the clear outsider. Still, he has one potentially decisive advantage on his side: at 1.86m, he has a fairly imposing frame, making him taller and also more robust than his fellow forwards. Spain are therefore able to call on a “classic number nine” in their squad again for the first time in quite a while. A number nine with solid aerial ability who can also pose a threat from crosses.

"As for Roberto, he is doing excellently and is exactly the type of centre-forward we are looking for," an enthusiastic de La Fuente said at the squad announcement. "He fits our style of play and our footballing philosophy."

If Fernández can carry his strong club form into the national team and also settle into a setup that is already functioning superbly, the reigning world and European champions could truly have another weapon at their disposal. That’s just unfair...

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 Alex Caparros - 2026 Getty Images