It’s time to focus on Mikel Oyarzabal. During Spain’s third goal against Austria in Los Angeles, the cameras captured Lamine Yamal’s younger brother celebrating exuberantly, fists in the air, shouting ‘come on!’. The moment was picture-perfect, not only due to Keyne’s undeniable charm. Even the minor distraction of a woman in sunglasses sitting below, eliciting a Spanish TV commentator’s remark about a missed opportunity for a great sticker, added to the scene’s intrigue. Borja Iglesias humorously retorted, ‘The blonde in front has given you two goals today, my friend.’
That blonde was none other than Oyarzabal’s mother, Dorleta, who witnessed her son netting his second goal of the match and fourth of the tournament. Just two days later, after the national team completed their first training session in Dallas, Marca inquired whether Oyarzabal had seen the footage.
‘Yes,’ he confirmed, ‘[Keyne] is almost like an icon himself given everything that’s happened these last few years and with the transcendence Lamine has.’ The implication of ‘not like me’ was clear; modesty has always been Oyarzabal’s style. He prefers to remain out of the limelight.
However, the narrative is shifting. Goals can alter perceptions, and Oyarzabal has been scoring frequently of late. The efforts of coach Luis de la Fuente to set things right have also played a significant role. During the press briefing before the match against Uruguay, when Oyarzabal’s name was mentioned, the Spain head coach took the chance to express his appreciation, starting his response with ‘thank you’ and directing attention to his No. 21. A few moments later, when asked specifically about the Real Sociedad striker, De la Fuente reiterated his gratitude, feeling that some overdue recognition was finally being accorded.
‘You mentioned Mikel Oyarzabal: at last, at last, we’re starting to recognize him in Spain. Madre mia! At last,’ the coach exclaimed. Oyarzabal is ‘a great among greats,’ he noted, highlighting that the top six scorers in the World Cup rankings include Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, the Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, and Oyarzabal himself — five global superstars and one humble player.
The notion of a player being underrated can be overused, sometimes excessively so. Recognition often arrives for valid reasons, and the absence of celebration isn’t always a fault. In certain cases, being underrated can inadvertently enhance a player’s reputation. However, there is a kernel of truth in Oyarzabal’s situation. At 29, he has frequently flown under the radar, particularly outside San Sebastián, where he serves as captain of Real Sociedad.
This anonymity partly stems from his accomplishments. Oyarzabal has secured two Copa del Rey titles with la Real, which account for half of the club’s total trophies, scoring in both finals. Yet, being part of la Real means limited visibility and fewer opportunities for recognition. The lack of transfer speculation contributes to this, which is intriguing: Oyarzabal emerged from the Real Sociedad academy, his buyout clause stands at €75m – a sum lower than that of less capable players – yet there have been few whispers about potential moves. This is partly because Oyarzabal, who does not have an agent and is content in his current environment, has not stoked the rumor mill.
This reticence is characteristic of him; if he hasn’t been transferred, he has never sought to promote himself either. Following the Austria match, he was queried about sharing the pitch with Mbappé and Messi. ‘I don’t care,’ he replied, indicating his sincerity. He possesses a knack for deadpan responses, remaining unfazed by external noise. There is no hint of arrogance in his demeanor. When questioned about an AI search that identified the best strikers as Mbappé, Kane, and Haaland, but not him, he simply stated, ‘Well, they are the best.’
Oyarzabal believes a striker’s role includes not becoming a hindrance. This isn’t false humility; it’s genuine analysis. It might also explain why he hasn’t always received the recognition he deserves: he doesn’t seek it, whether on or off the field. With a nonchalant appearance, he executes his game without fuss. He isn’t particularly tall or fast, doesn’t dribble past opponents or strike from distance, nor does he feel the need to be involved in every play. His qualities are more subtle, rooted in timing and understanding, and he plays for the benefit of his teammates.
‘Since I was little I’ve tried to understand play and why things happen,’ he explained. ‘I’ve learned that by not getting in the way you can help. There are moments in which, just by positioning, you can help the team without even touching the ball. It’s then about making the most of the few you have. As a striker, you can’t expect to touch the ball every minute.’
De la Fuente remarked: ‘Mikel is a very intelligent person and you see that on the pitch. He’s one of the best strikers going into space, between lines, dropping to the wing. He’s played right wing, left wing, second striker and centre-forward and always played well. Very few footballers have his ability to interpret the game. He has the humility and understanding to keep his feet on the ground, because this is a merry-go-round. He is an example to everyone and I’m more delighted with him by the day. People who understand football value him extremely highly. Unfortunately, there are others who don’t see it but the weight he has in the Selección is brutal.’
Currently, the statistics reinforce this acknowledgment. De la Fuente has consistently believed in Oyarzabal. Upon taking the coaching position, he appointed Oyarzabal as one of the team captains, prioritizing longevity over traditional criteria. As Fabián Ruiz commented, ‘Mikel seems shy, but he is someone you listen to, because he always has the right opinion.’ There has also been a transformation in his play style, transitioning from a winger to a more central role, a shift Oyarzabal attributes to the knee injury that sidelined him during the previous World Cup. He has evolved into a center-forward, albeit not in the conventional sense, and this has been beneficial for his game. ‘People said there was no centre-forward; there was, if a different profile,’ De la Fuente noted, recalling Oyarzabal’s previous experience in that role at the under-21 level.
When Oyarzabal made his appearance in the Euro 2024 final, he scored once again, which is no surprise: he has found the net in every final he has participated in. This time, his goal was the match-winner, marking the dawn of a new chapter. Álvaro Morata’s departure left Oyarzabal as the primary choice for the central role. Last season marked his most prolific scoring period for Real Sociedad, with 15 goals in the league. Since netting against England in Berlin, he has been directly involved in more international goals than Mbappé, Messi, Ronaldo, or Kane, trailing only Haaland. Across his last 18 matches for Spain, he has tallied 17 goals and provided eight assists.
This summer, he has scored four goals in the United States on the grandest stage of all, where he rightfully belongs. Recently, a footwear brand mentioned a striker they had never featured before, and they were not alone in this recognition. ‘I celebrate the fact that we’re talking about him, truly I do, so thank you,’ De la Fuente expressed.
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