Oyarzabal, a silent leader who does not need to shout | OneFootball

Mikel Oyarzabal, 28, stands as Real Sociedad’s quiet standard-bearer, closing in on a second Copa del Rey title and defined as much by his origins as his numbers.

According to AS, those around him highlight a grounded character allied to fierce ambition. At Unbe with Eibar’s youth sides, he often impressed more in training than on matchdays, a marker of the competitive streak that has driven his rise. He was formed by Igor Arriaga and Jon Agirreazaldegi before moving to Zubieta in his cadet years.

His senior debut came under David Moyes in 2015 at 18. Since then he has played 429 games, delivered 64 assists and scored 129 goals, including the penalty that sealed a long-awaited Copa against their eternal rivals in 2021 amid covid restrictions. He now returns to La Cartuja with his 24-strong cuadrilla making the road trip to Seville.

Friends describe a serial competitor who dislikes losing at anything, even mus. Family values helped him complete a business degree while already in the top flight, something he saw as both an escape and a safeguard, a mindset strengthened during recovery from a serious knee ligament injury.

Those close to him point to a leadership built on example rather than volume, reinforced by the armband at Real Sociedad and now also with the national team. He has scored in five finals, though only two brought victory, the 2021 Copa and last summer’s Euros in Germany, where he struck the winner against England, 2-1.

Source: AS