The 9 Best English Players La Liga Has Ever Seen
- Think Football Ideas
- Apr 18
- 5 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
While it’s often said that the Englishman’s time in La Liga is a story of fleeting moments and missteps, the truth is that some have flourished in ways that even the passionate Spanish press can’t ignore. Not every Englishman flopped in Spain.
In fact, there are those who reinvented themselves, transformed their careers, and in some cases, redefined what success looks like outside the Premier League. But who is the best Englishman in La Liga history? While the grass may not always be greener, it’s clear that, for some, it’s been golden.
The 9 Best English Players La Liga Has Ever Seen
9. Vinny Samways — UD Las Palmas & Sevilla (1996–2003)
From North London scrapper to Canary Islands captain.
You don’t usually picture a Bethnal Green boy becoming a cult hero in Gran Canaria — but Vinny Samways wasn’t your usual English midfielder.
After some solid years at Spurs and a short-lived spell at Everton, Samways made the unexpected leap to UD Las Palmas — and didn’t just survive in Spain, he thrived. Wearing the armband and pulling strings from deep, he became a linchpin in a Las Palmas side that rose to La Liga.
Think less Hollywood passes, more gritty graft and guile. He even made history as the first Englishman to play in the Sevilla derby, turning out for Sevilla FC in 2003. A one-club journeyman? Not quite. Samways rewrote that script on Spanish turf.
8. Dalian Atkinson — Real Sociedad (1990–1991)
"El Txipiron" — the squid with swagger.
Before dazzling Villa fans with solo stunners and umbrella celebrations, Dalian Atkinson took his talents to San Sebastián, becoming Real Sociedad’s first Black player and one of their early foreign signings. His impact? 12 goals in La Liga, and a style that made fans chant and rivals squirm.
It wasn’t all sunshine — the era came with racial abuse from the stands — but Atkinson’s season in Spain left a mark. Fast, fearless, and unafraid to try the outrageous, he brought Premier League flair to a more conservative La Liga, years before that was fashionable.
7. Michael Owen — Real Madrid (2004–2005)
One season. Thirteen goals. Countless headlines.
Michael Owen’s move to Real Madrid in 2004 felt like a natural step after his Ballon d'Or win, but life in the Galáctico galaxy wasn’t easy. Ronaldo Delima was already there. So was Raúl Gonzalez. Owen struggled to find rhythm, often benched, occasionally brilliant.
When he played, he scored. But Madrid moved on fast. By the time Robinho arrived, Owen was on his way to Newcastle. Still, his La Liga spell showed flashes of the predator England knew so well.
6. Kieran Trippier — Atletico Madrid (20019–2022)
He left Spurs in 2019, swapped North London drizzle for Spanish sun, and promptly became the first Englishman to play for Atletico Madrid since the Civil War. No pressure.
But Trippier thrived. Sharp delivery, disciplined defending, and the kind of energy Diego Simeone dreams about. He was pivotal in Atleti’s 2020–21 title-winning run — their first in seven years. For a player who was often overlooked back home, Trippier’s time in Spain felt like a flex.
5. Laurie Cunningham — Real Madrid (1979–1984)
Long before Bellingham and Beckham, there was Laurie Cunningham. The first British player to sign for Real Madrid. A dazzling winger with electric pace and flair that made even the Madridistas gasp.
He won La Liga and the Copa del Rey in his first season. Injuries and inconsistency followed, but his talent never faded. He played with swagger, soul, and a kind of bravery that extended off the pitch, too. Cunningham wasn’t just a footballer — he was a symbol. And for many, still is.
4. David Beckham — Real Madrid (2003–2007)
He didn’t come to Spain quietly. David Beckham’s Real Madrid unveiling in 2003 was more rock concert than a press conference. A Galáctico by name, fame, and fashion — but did he deliver on the pitch? Eventually, yes.
His final season was the sweet spot. He helped Madrid claw their way to the La Liga title and left on a high after years of near misses. Beckham never quite hit his United-level heights in Spain, but he gave Madrid four seasons of tireless graft, world-class delivery, and — naturally — sold a billion shirts.
3. Gary Lineker — Barcelona FC (1986–1989)
Gary Lineker’s time at Barcelona wasn’t perfect. Johan Cruyff played him out wide. The team never won La Liga. And yet, Lineker still managed to score 42 goals in 103 league games.
Oh, and he hit a hat-trick against Real Madrid in his debut season. Not bad for a lad from Leicester. Throw in a Copa del Rey and a Cup Winners’ Cup, and you’ve got a stint that, while not headline-dominating, still left a mark on the Camp Nou turf.
2. Steve McManaman — Real Madrid (1999–2003)
Picture this: it's 1999. Y2K panic is buzzing, Beckham’s hair is spiky, and Real Madrid have just landed Steve McManaman on a free from Liverpool. Spain raised an eyebrow. England raised two.
But Macca got to work. He scored in a Champions League final. Won two of them, actually. Added two La Liga titles for good measure. And all the while, he played with a smile, weaving through defences like it was Anfield on a Sunday afternoon. McManaman wasn’t flashy, but he was fundamental. A Galáctico before the term had fully taken hold.
1. Jude Bellingham – Real Madrid (2023-Present)
When Jude Bellingham arrived at Real Madrid in the summer of 2023, the headlines were big — the expectations even bigger. A 20-year-old from Birmingham with a €103m price tag, joining a club known for chewing up and spitting out stars.
Except Jude? He chewed back.
Within ten league games, he’d matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for goals scored at the start of a Madrid career. In his first El Clásico, he scored two: a thunderbolt from 30 yards and a last-gasp winner that nearly blew the roof off Montjuïc.
He ended the season with a La Liga and Champions League double, and the Spanish press scrambling to learn his middle name. The scary part? These Jude Bellingham facts peel back the curtain on what makes him special.
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