Mikel Oyarzabal is finally receiving the attention he deserves. During Spain’s third goal celebration against Austria in Los Angeles, cameras captured Lamine Yamal’s younger brother, Keyne, joyfully cheering with clenched fists, exclaiming, “The blonde in front has denied us the best sticker of all time.” The moment was heartwarming, made even more charming by the presence of their mother, Dorleta, who was partially obscured by sunglasses. A Spanish TV commentator humorously noted, “The blonde in front has given you two goals today, my friend.” to which striker Borja Iglesias replied, “[Keyne] is almost like an icon himself given everything that’s happened these last few years and with the transcendence Lamine has.”
It was indeed Oyarzabal who had just netted his second goal of the match and his fourth in the tournament. Two days later, following the Selección’s initial training session in Dallas, Marca inquired if he had seen the celebration footage.
“You mentioned Mikel Oyarzabal: at last, at last, we’re starting to recognise him in Spain. Madre mia! At last,” Oyarzabal responded, “Since I was little I’ve tried to understand play and why things happen,” The implication that he does not share the same status was unspoken; with Oyarzabal, this sort of sentiment is often implied rather than stated. He is not one to seek the spotlight and prefers to remain out of the limelight.
However, this is changing. Scoring goals certainly shifts the narrative, and Oyarzabal has been prolific lately. The efforts of head coach Luis de la Fuente to address past oversights have also contributed. At a press conference before the match against Uruguay, when Oyarzabal’s name came up, De la Fuente seized the moment, expressing gratitude and directing attention to his No. 21. Later, when asked directly about Oyarzabal, he reiterated his appreciation, marking a small victory for the player.
“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.” the coach exclaimed. He described Oyarzabal as “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 Selecci ón is brutal.” noting that he ranks among the top scorers in the World Cup alongside superstars like Kylian Mbappé, Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Ballon d’Or holder Ousmane Dembélé.
The narrative of an underrated player can become repetitive and overused, yet with Oyarzabal, there is truth to it. At 29 years old, he has seldom been in the conversation for recognition, particularly outside of San Sebastián, where he captains Real Sociedad.
This relative obscurity is partially due to his club’s context. Oyarzabal has secured two Copa del Rey titles with Real Sociedad, making up half of the club’s trophy haul, and he scored in both finals. Yet, playing for Real Sociedad means limited opportunities for broader acclaim. His buyout clause is set at €75 million, yet there have been few transfer rumors, largely due to Oyarzabal’s contentment at home and the fact that he does not have an agent.
Oyarzabal’s approach is straightforward; he has never sought to market himself. Following the Austria match, he was asked about being compared to Mbappé and Messi. “Mikel seems shy, but he is someone you listen to, because he always has the right opinion.” he replied, genuinely. He maintains a down-to-earth demeanor, unconcerned by external chatter. When asked about an AI query that listed the best strikers but omitted his name, he responded, “People said there was no centre-forward; there was, if a different profile,”
He believes a key part of his role as a striker is to avoid getting in the way. This isn’t false humility; it reflects his understanding of the game. His quiet and unassuming presence, coupled with his lack of flashy skills, often leaves him unnoticed. Oyarzabal does not rely on speed or dazzling dribbles. Instead, his value lies in his timing, positioning, and ability to play for the team rather than for personal glory.
“I celebrate the fact that we’re talking about him, truly I do, so thank you,” he stated. “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 praised Oyarzabal: “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.”
Now, he is starting to gain the recognition he merits, as evidenced by the statistics. De la Fuente has consistently placed his faith in him, appointing him as one of the team captains based on loyalty rather than traditional benchmarks. Fabián Ruiz remarked, “Mikel seems shy, but he is someone you listen to, because he always has the right opinion.”
Oyarzabal’s evolution from a winger to a centre-forward has been significant, particularly after recovering from a knee injury that sidelined him during the previous World Cup. De la Fuente had noted that he had previously played Oyarzabal in the centre-forward role at under-21 level. “People said there was no centre-forward; there was, if a different profile,” he explained.
When Oyarzabal entered the Euro 2024 final, he scored once again, continuing his trend of scoring in every final he has participated in. This time, he netted the decisive goal, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his career. With Álvaro Morata stepping aside, Oyarzabal is now the preferred option in the central role. Last season was his most prolific for Real Sociedad, where he netted 15 league goals. Since his goal against England in Berlin, he has contributed to more international goals than Mbappé, Messi, Ronaldo, or Kane, with only Haaland ahead of him.
This summer, he has scored four times in the United States, showcasing his talent on the grandest stage. “I celebrate the fact that we’re talking about him, truly I do, so thank you,” De la Fuente remarked last week, acknowledging Oyarzabal’s rising profile.
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