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| caption = Saúl playing for [[Atlético Madrid]] in 2019
| caption = Saúl playing for [[Atlético Madrid]] in 2019
| full_name = Saúl Ñíguez Esclapez<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce15/pdf/601-IndividualSquadList-English.pdf |title=Squad List: FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021: Chelsea FC |publisher=FIFA |page=1 |date=9 February 2022 |access-date=24 April 2022}}</ref>
| full_name = Saúl Ñíguez Esclapez<ref>{{cite web |url=https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce15/pdf/601-IndividualSquadList-English.pdf |title=Squad List: FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2021: Chelsea FC |publisher=FIFA |page=1 |date=9 February 2022 |access-date=24 April 2022}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|11|21|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/4931/%C3%BAl-%C3%91%C3%ADguez/overview|title=Saúl Ñíguez: Overview|publisher=Premier League|access-date=12 September 2021}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|11|21|df=y}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/4931/%C3%BAl-%C3%91%C3%ADguez/overview|title=Leotrim Ademaj: Overview|publisher=Premier League|access-date=12 September 2021}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Elche]], Spain
| birth_place = [[Elche]], Spain
| height = 1.84 m<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.atleticodemadrid.com/jugadores/saul-niguez-esclapez-2022-2023-2|title=Saúl Ñíguez|publisher=Atlético Madrid|access-date=1 March 2023}}</ref>
| height = 1.84 m<ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.atleticodemadrid.com/jugadores/saul-niguez-esclapez-2022-2023-2|title=Saúl Ñíguez|publisher=Atlético Madrid|access-date=1 March 2023}}</ref>
| position = [[Midfielder]]
| position = [[Midfielder]]
| currentclub = [[Atlético Madrid]]
| currentclub = [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]]<br/>(on loan from [[Atlético Madrid]])
| clubnumber = 8
| clubnumber = 17
| youthyears1 = 2006–2008
| youthyears1 = 2006–2008
| youthclubs1 = [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]]
| youthclubs1 = [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]]
Line 23: Line 23:
| years2 = 2012–
| years2 = 2012–
| clubs2 = [[Atlético Madrid]]
| clubs2 = [[Atlético Madrid]]
| caps2 = 294
| caps2 = 295
| goals2 = 30
| goals2 = 30
| years3 = 2013–2014
| years3 = 2013–2014
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| caps4 = 10
| caps4 = 10
| goals4 = 0
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2024–
| clubs5 = → [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] (loan)
| caps5 = 6
| goals5 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2009
| nationalyears1 = 2009
| nationalteam1 = [[Spain national under-16 football team|Spain U16]]
| nationalteam1 = [[Spain national under-16 football team|Spain U16]]
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{{MedalCountry|{{fb|ESP}}}}
{{MedalCountry|{{fb|ESP}}}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[UEFA European Under-21 Championship]]}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[UEFA European Under-21 Championship]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship|2017 Poland]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship|2017 Poland]]|[[2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship squads#Spain|Team]]}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[UEFA European Under-19 Championship]]}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[UEFA European Under-19 Championship]]}}
{{Medal|W|[[2012 UEFA European Under-19 Championship|2012 Estonia]]|}}
{{Medal|W|[[2012 UEFA European Under-19 Championship|2012 Estonia]]|[[2012 UEFA European Under-19 Championship squads#Spain|Team]]}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[UEFA European Under-17 Championship]]}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[UEFA European Under-17 Championship]]}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2010 UEFA European Under-17 Championship|2010 Liechtenstein]]|}}
{{Medal|RU|[[2010 UEFA European Under-17 Championship|2010 Liechtenstein]]|[[2010 UEFA European Under-17 Championship squads#Spain|Team]]}}
| club-update = 23:21, 15 May 2024 (UTC)
| club-update = 23:50, 8 December 2024 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 23:50, 18 November 2019 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 23:50, 18 November 2019 (UTC)
}}
}}
'''Saúl Ñíguez Esclapez''' (born 21 November 1994), often known simply as '''Saúl''', is a Spanish professional [[Association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[central midfielder|central]] or [[defensive midfielder]] for [[La Liga]] club [[Atlético Madrid]]. A versatile player, Saul can also be deployed as a [[box-to-box midfielder]] or a [[left-back]].
'''Saúl Ñíguez Esclapez''' (born 21 November 1994), often known simply as '''Saúl''', is a Spanish professional [[Association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[central midfielder|central]] or [[defensive midfielder]] for [[La Liga]] club [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]], on loan from [[Atlético Madrid]]. A versatile player, Saul can also be deployed as a [[box-to-box midfielder]] or a [[left-back]].


After coming through Atlético Madrid's youth academy, Saúl went on to appear in more than 300 competitive matches for the club. In the [[2013–14 Rayo Vallecano season|2013–14 season]], he was on loan at [[Rayo Vallecano]], also in La Liga. He also spent the 2021-22 season on loan at [[Chelsea FC]].
After coming through Atlético Madrid's youth academy, Saúl went on to appear in more than 300 competitive matches for the club. He also spent time on loan at fellow La Liga side [[Rayo Vallecano]] during the [[2013–14 Rayo Vallecano season|2013–14 season]] and at [[Premier League]] club [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] in [[2021–22 Chelsea F.C. season|2021–22]].


Having represented Spain at various [[Spain national youth football team (disambiguation)|youth levels]], Saúl helped the [[Spain national under-21 football team|under-21 team]] finish second in the [[2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship]], being top scorer in the process. He was selected by the senior team for the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]].
Having represented Spain at various [[Spain national youth football team (disambiguation)|youth levels]], Saúl helped the [[Spain national under-21 football team|under-21 team]] finish second in the [[2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship]], being top scorer in the process. He was selected by the senior team for the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]].
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====Return to Atlético Madrid====
====Return to Atlético Madrid====
On 24 September 2023, Saúl provided two assists and was named Man of the Match in a 3–1 victory over rivals Real Madrid, which also marked his 300th match in La Liga.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/la-liga/2023-2024/atletico-madrid-v-real-madrid-la-liga-live_sto9806689/story.shtml |title=Atletico Madrid 3-1 Real Madrid: Alvaro Morata at the double as Diego Simeone claims derby spoils |publisher=Eurosport |date=25 September 2023 }}</ref>
On 24 September 2023, Saúl provided two assists and was named Man of the Match in a 3–1 victory over rivals Real Madrid, which also marked his 300th match in La Liga.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/la-liga/2023-2024/atletico-madrid-v-real-madrid-la-liga-live_sto9806689/story.shtml |title=Atletico Madrid 3-1 Real Madrid: Alvaro Morata at the double as Diego Simeone claims derby spoils |publisher=Eurosport |date=25 September 2023 }}</ref>

====Loan to Sevilla====
On 15 July 2024, [[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] announced the signing of Saúl on loan for the duration of the [[2024–25 Sevilla FC season|2024–25 season]], with the possibility of a further extension.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://sevillafc.es/en/actual/news/loan-saul-sevilla-fc-2024-2025 |title=Saúl Ñíguez becomes fourth signing of the summer |website=Sevilla FC |date=15 July 2024 |accessdate=15 July 2024}}</ref>


==International career==
==International career==
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==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Saúl comes from a football family: his father, [[Boria (footballer)|Boria]], played several years with [[Elche CF|Elche]] as a [[Striker (association football)|striker]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://colgadosporelfutbol.com/los-niguez-familia-de-futbolistas/|title=Los Ñiguez, familia de futbolistas|trans-title=The Ñiguezes, footballing family|website=Colgados por el Fútbol|last=Sandoval|first=Koldo|language=es|date=8 December 2013|access-date=2 February 2015}}</ref> His brothers, [[Aarón Ñíguez|Aarón]] and [[Jony (footballer, born 1985)|Jony]], are also footballers where together they opened a football club based in the Spanish city of Elche named [[Costa City Club]] which has a very clear objective: to develop young players aged between 4 and 18 years through sport but also with food education and education. <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lainformacion.com/deporte/saul-aaron-jony-hermanos-niguez-gol_0_982102333/|title=Saúl, Aarón y Jony, los hermanos Ñíguez marcan un 'triplete' histórico|trans-title=Saúl, Aarón and Jony, the Ñíguez brothers score historic 'triple'|newspaper=La Información|last=Gil|first=Víctor|language=es|date=18 December 2016|access-date=5 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2016/12/21/primera/1482303085_868431.html|title=Los hermanos Ñíguez, unidos y luchando contra la esclerosis|trans-title=The Ñíguez brothers, united and fighting against sclerosis|newspaper=Diario AS|last=Fra|first=Amalia|language=es|date=21 December 2016|access-date=19 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Saul Niguez's 'new club' is academy project sponsored by Nike |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11999668/saul-niguez-s-new-club-is-academy-project-sponsored-by-nike |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=Sky Sports |language=en}}</ref>
Saúl comes from a football family: his father, [[Boria (footballer)|Boria]], played several years with [[Elche CF|Elche]] as a [[Striker (association football)|striker]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://colgadosporelfutbol.com/los-niguez-familia-de-futbolistas/|title=Los Ñiguez, familia de futbolistas|trans-title=The Ñiguezes, footballing family|website=Colgados por el Fútbol|last=Sandoval|first=Koldo|language=es|date=8 December 2013|access-date=2 February 2015}}</ref> His brothers, [[Aarón Ñíguez|Aarón]] and [[Jony (footballer, born 1985)|Jony]], are also footballers where together they opened a football club based in the Spanish city of Elche named [[Costa City Club]] which has a very clear objective: to develop young players aged between 4 and 18 years through sport but also with food education and education.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lainformacion.com/deporte/saul-aaron-jony-hermanos-niguez-gol_0_982102333/|title=Saúl, Aarón y Jony, los hermanos Ñíguez marcan un 'triplete' histórico|trans-title=Saúl, Aarón and Jony, the Ñíguez brothers score historic 'triple'|newspaper=La Información|last=Gil|first=Víctor|language=es|date=18 December 2016|access-date=5 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2016/12/21/primera/1482303085_868431.html|title=Los hermanos Ñíguez, unidos y luchando contra la esclerosis|trans-title=The Ñíguez brothers, united and fighting against sclerosis|newspaper=Diario AS|last=Fra|first=Amalia|language=es|date=21 December 2016|access-date=19 May 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Saul Niguez's 'new club' is academy project sponsored by Nike |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/11999668/saul-niguez-s-new-club-is-academy-project-sponsored-by-nike |access-date=2024-04-23 |website=Sky Sports |language=en}}</ref>


Saúl was one of the stars of the [[Amazon Prime Video|Amazon Prime]] television documentary series ''Six Dreams'', recorded during the 2017–18 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://en.as.com/en/2018/03/08/football/1520517172_303503.amp.html|title=Six Dreams: Amazon launch series following LaLiga stars lives|newspaper=Diario AS|last=García Domínguez|first=Rafael|date=8 March 2018|access-date=27 December 2019}}</ref> In June 2020, he announced that he and his brother Aarón would be starting a new youth project with [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] called Club Costa City, in his hometown.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/saul-niguez-new-club-confirmed-revealed-transfer-latest-man-united-arsenal-atletico-madrid-a4458196.html|title=Saul Niguez new club confirmed: Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal miss out on Atletico star's reveal|newspaper=[[Evening Standard]]|location=London|last=Doyle|first=Tom|date=3 June 2020|access-date=3 June 2020}}</ref>
Saúl was one of the stars of the [[Amazon Prime Video|Amazon Prime]] television documentary series ''Six Dreams'', recorded during the 2017–18 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://en.as.com/en/2018/03/08/football/1520517172_303503.amp.html|title=Six Dreams: Amazon launch series following LaLiga stars lives|newspaper=Diario AS|last=García Domínguez|first=Rafael|date=8 March 2018|access-date=27 December 2019}}</ref> In June 2020, he announced that he and his brother Aarón would be starting a new youth project with [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] called Club Costa City, in his hometown.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/saul-niguez-new-club-confirmed-revealed-transfer-latest-man-united-arsenal-atletico-madrid-a4458196.html|title=Saul Niguez new club confirmed: Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal miss out on Atletico star's reveal|newspaper=[[Evening Standard]]|location=London|last=Doyle|first=Tom|date=3 June 2020|access-date=3 June 2020}}</ref>
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==Career statistics==
==Career statistics==
===Club===
===Club===
{{updated|match played 25 May 2024}}
{{updated|match played 8 December 2024}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
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|[[Premier League]]
|[[Premier League]]
|10||0||3||1||4||0||5{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1{{efn|Appearance in [[FIFA Club World Cup]]}}||0||23||1
|10||0||3||1||4||0||5{{efn|name=UCL}}||0||1{{efn|Appearance in [[FIFA Club World Cup]]}}||0||23||1
|-
|[[Sevilla FC|Sevilla]] (loan)
|[[2024–25 Sevilla FC season|2024–25]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/j101062.html?temp=2024-25 |title=Saúl: Matches: 2024–25 |website=BDFutbol |access-date=23 August 2024}}</ref>
|La Liga
|6||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||7||0
|-
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!colspan="3"|Career total
!409!!40!!41!!4!!4!!0!!96!!14!!7!!1!!557!!59
!415!!40!!42!!4!!4!!0!!96!!14!!7!!1!!564!!59
|}
|}
{{notelist}}
{{notelist}}
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*{{FIFA player}}
*{{FIFA player}}


{{Atlético Madrid squad}}
{{Sevilla FC squad}}
<!--{{Atlético Madrid squad}}-->
{{Spain squad 2018 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Spain squad 2018 FIFA World Cup}}
{{UEFA European Under-21 Championship awards}}
{{UEFA European Under-21 Championship awards}}
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[[Category:Rayo Vallecano players]]
[[Category:Rayo Vallecano players]]
[[Category:Chelsea F.C. players]]
[[Category:Chelsea F.C. players]]
[[Category:Sevilla FC players]]
[[Category:Segunda División B players]]
[[Category:Segunda División B players]]
[[Category:La Liga players]]
[[Category:La Liga players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:UEFA Europa League winning players]]
[[Category:UEFA Europa League–winning players]]
[[Category:Spain men's youth international footballers]]
[[Category:Spain men's youth international footballers]]
[[Category:Spain men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:Spain men's under-21 international footballers]]
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[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England]]
[[Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in England]]
[[Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in England]]
[[Category:21st-century Spanish sportsmen]]

Latest revision as of 01:50, 9 December 2024

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Ñíguez and the second or maternal family name is Esclapez.
Saúl
Saúl playing for Atlético Madrid in 2019
Personal information
Full name Saúl Ñíguez Esclapez[1]
Date of birth (1994-11-21) 21 November 1994 (age 30)[2]
Place of birth Elche, Spain
Height 1.84 m (6 ft 0 in)[3]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Sevilla
(on loan from Atlético Madrid)
Number 17
Youth career
2006–2008 Real Madrid
2008–2010 Atlético Madrid
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2013 Atlético Madrid B 70 (8)
2012– Atlético Madrid 295 (30)
2013–2014 → Rayo Vallecano (loan) 34 (2)
2021–2022 → Chelsea (loan) 10 (0)
2024– → Sevilla (loan) 6 (0)
International career‡
2009 Spain U16 4 (1)
2010–2011 Spain U17 9 (2)
2012 Spain U18 3 (0)
2012–2013 Spain U19 11 (0)
2013 Spain U20 8 (0)
2013–2017 Spain U21 25 (9)
2016–2019 Spain 19 (3)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Spain
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Runner-up 2017 Poland Team
UEFA European Under-19 Championship
Winner 2012 Estonia Team
UEFA European Under-17 Championship
Runner-up 2010 Liechtenstein Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 23:50, 8 December 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 23:50, 18 November 2019 (UTC)

Saúl Ñíguez Esclapez (born 21 November 1994), often known simply as Saúl, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a central or defensive midfielder for La Liga club Sevilla, on loan from Atlético Madrid. A versatile player, Saul can also be deployed as a box-to-box midfielder or a left-back.

After coming through Atlético Madrid's youth academy, Saúl went on to appear in more than 300 competitive matches for the club. He also spent time on loan at fellow La Liga side Rayo Vallecano during the 2013–14 season and at Premier League club Chelsea in 2021–22.

Having represented Spain at various youth levels, Saúl helped the under-21 team finish second in the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, being top scorer in the process. He was selected by the senior team for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

[edit]

Atlético Madrid

[edit]

Born in Elche, Valencian Community,[4] Saúl moved to Real Madrid at the age of 11 before switching to cross-city rivals Atlético Madrid in 2008.[5] He made his senior debut in the 2010–11 season, appearing for the reserve team in the Segunda División B.[citation needed] His first goal came on 10 April 2011 in a 3–1 away win against Extremadura,[6] his only of the season in an eventual midtable finish.[citation needed]

In July 2011, Saúl joined the Atlético main squad for pre-season training.[citation needed] On 8 March 2012, at the age of just 17 years and 108 days, he made his debut with the Atlético first team, playing the last six minutes of a 3–1 home win against Beşiktaş in the UEFA Europa League.[7] His second appearance came on 20 September, again as a substitute and in the Europa League, this time against Hapoel Tel Aviv.[8] Three days later, he scored both goals for Atlético B in a 2–1 away derby win over Real Madrid C.[9]

Saúl made his La Liga debut on 21 April 2013, playing two minutes in a 1–0 win away to Sevilla after replacing fellow youth graduate Koke.[10] Again from the bench, he appeared in his second league match with the main squad on 4 May, against Deportivo La Coruña in a 0–0 draw.[11]

On 21 July 2013, Saúl joined Rayo Vallecano on loan for the 2013–14 season.[12] After returning, he featured in both legs of the 2014 Supercopa de España in which Atlético defeated Real Madrid, starting in the first match.[13][14]

In a Madrid derby on 7 February 2015, Saúl replaced the injured Koke after ten minutes, and scored his team's second goal shortly after through a bicycle kick, in a 4–0 win.[15] From the 2015–16 season onwards, after the departure of Mario Suárez and the injury of Tiago Mendes, Saúl became a nuclear midfield element for the Diego Simeone-led team.[16][17]

On 27 April 2016, Saúl played 85 minutes in the first leg of the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League against FC Bayern Munich, and also scored the only goal at the Vicente Calderón Stadium with an individual effort.[18] Starting in the final against Real Madrid, he played the entire 120 minutes and successfully converted his attempt in the penalty shoot-out, in a 5–3 loss.[19] The following 18 April, in the same competition but in the quarter-final, he scored through a header to help Atlético to a 1–1 draw away to Leicester City.[20] Also in that month, in an interview given to Diario AS, he admitted to having played for "two seasons" under extremely painful circumstances.[21]

On 1 July 2017, Saúl signed a new nine-year contract with Atlético.[22] He made nine appearances in the 2017–18 Europa League, scoring three goals for the eventual champions.[23][24]

Saúl started his 250th match for the club on 18 August 2019, in a win over Getafe.[25] In the 2020 Supercopa de España Final against Real Madrid, which ended 0–0 after extra time, both he and Thomas Partey missed their shoot-out attempts in a 4–1 defeat.[26][27]

On 18 February 2020, Saúl scored from close range in the fourth minute of the 2019–20 Champions League's round-of-16 first leg – his tenth goal in the competition[28]– against defending champions Liverpool to ensure a 1–0 home win for the hosts.[29] He also featured in the second leg at Anfield, playing the entire 3–2 extra-time victory.[30]

On 30 June 2020, Saúl scored twice from penalties in a 2–2 draw away to Barcelona, as Atlético managed that number of goals against that opposition in a league match for the first time under Simeone.[31]

Loan to Chelsea

[edit]
Saúl with Chelsea in 2021

On 31 August 2021, Saúl joined Premier League club Chelsea on loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season, with an option to make the transfer permanent upon the completion of the loan.[32] He made his Premier League debut on 11 September, in a 3–0 win against Aston Villa, but received criticism from fans for his performance.[33] He won the Club World Cup with Chelsea on 12 February 2022, coming on as a 76th minute substitute to replace Callum Hudson-Odoi in a 2–1 final victory against Palmeiras. He scored his only goal of the season against Luton Town in a 3–2 FA Cup win on 2 March 2022.[34] Saúl posted his goodbye to Chelsea and the club's fans on 7 June 2022 as his loan spell ended and he returned to Atlético Madrid.[35]

Return to Atlético Madrid

[edit]

On 24 September 2023, Saúl provided two assists and was named Man of the Match in a 3–1 victory over rivals Real Madrid, which also marked his 300th match in La Liga.[36]

Loan to Sevilla

[edit]

On 15 July 2024, Sevilla announced the signing of Saúl on loan for the duration of the 2024–25 season, with the possibility of a further extension.[37]

International career

[edit]
Saúl with Spain U19 in 2012

Saúl earned 47 caps for Spain, all youth levels comprised.[citation needed] He experienced individual and collective success in the under-19 team, winning the 2012 UEFA European Under-19 Championship and being named in the Team of the Tournament.[38]

On 26 May 2015, Saúl was called to the senior team for a friendly with Costa Rica and a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against Belarus,[39] but did not make his debut on either occasion. He, Sergio Rico and Lucas Vázquez were the three uncapped players in a provisional squad for the final tournament in France,[40] but was eventually cut from the final squad alongside Isco.[41]

Saúl made his debut on 1 September 2016, playing 15 minutes in a 2–0 friendly win away to Belgium.[42] He was crowned top scorer at the 2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, notably scoring a hat-trick to help Spain beat Italy 3–1 in the semi-final.[43]

Back with the full team, Saúl was selected in the squad chosen by manager Julen Lopetegui for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[44] Following Fernando Hierro replacing the latter shortly before the tournament, he was an unused member in an eventual round-of-16 exit.[45]

Under new coach Luis Enrique, Saúl scored his first goal for his country on 8 September 2018, equalising in an eventual 2–1 win against England for the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League A at Wembley Stadium.[46] He also scored against Croatia in the following fixture three days later, a 6–0 victory in his hometown of Elche in the same competition.[45]

Style of play

[edit]

A midfielder by trade,[45] Saúl was deployed as a centre-back during his spell at Rayo Vallecano.[47] Spanish football journalist Guillem Balagué stated that he suits several styles of play, citing his ability to play "Simeone style" (in reference to Atlético manager Diego Simeone) and "Barcelona style", summing up with "We have never had a midfielder like this".[45]

Following Luis Enrique's appointment as Spain manager in 2018, Diario AS' Alfredo Relaño remarked that "Saúl is the player to move the ball forward with purpose and attempt to finalise long passages of possession", adding that "The new centre of the park for Spain (where so much happens for the national side) is now defined by him, a box-to-box player and one never afraid to try his luck in front of goal",[47] Sid Lowe of The Guardian opined that "now he embodies the shift, technique and talent but athleticism too, blessed of impeccable timing, arriving in the area".[48]

Personal life

[edit]

Saúl comes from a football family: his father, Boria, played several years with Elche as a striker.[49] His brothers, Aarón and Jony, are also footballers where together they opened a football club based in the Spanish city of Elche named Costa City Club which has a very clear objective: to develop young players aged between 4 and 18 years through sport but also with food education and education.[50][51][52]

Saúl was one of the stars of the Amazon Prime television documentary series Six Dreams, recorded during the 2017–18 season.[53] In June 2020, he announced that he and his brother Aarón would be starting a new youth project with Nike called Club Costa City, in his hometown.[54]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played 8 December 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Atlético Madrid B 2010–11[55] Segunda División B 22 1 — — — — 22 1
2011–12[56] 22 1 — — — — 22 1
2012–13[57] 26 6 — — — — 26 6
Total 70 8 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 70 8
Atlético Madrid 2011–12[56] La Liga 0 0 0 0 — 1[c] 0 — 1 0
2012–13[57] 2 0 2 0 — 7[c] 0 0 0 11 0
2014–15[58] 24 4 4 0 — 5[d] 0 2[e] 0 35 4
2015–16[59] 31 4 4 2 — 13[d] 3 — 48 9
2016–17[60] 33 4 8 1 — 12[d] 4 — 53 9
2017–18[61] 36 2 5 0 — 15[f] 4 — 56 6
2018–19[62] 33 4 3 0 — 8[d] 1 1[g] 1 45 6
2019–20[63] 35 6 1 0 — 9[d] 1 2[e] 0 47 7
2020–21[64] 33 2 2 0 — 6[d] 0 — 41 2
2021–22[65] 3 0 — — — — 3 0
2022–23[66] 31 3 2 0 — 5[d] 0 — 38 3
2023–24[67] 34 1 4 0 — 10[d] 1 1[e] 0 49 2
Total 295 30 35 3 0 0 91 14 6 1 427 48
Rayo Vallecano (loan) 2013–14[68] La Liga 34 2 3 0 — — — 37 2
Chelsea (loan) 2021–22[69] Premier League 10 0 3 1 4 0 5[d] 0 1[h] 0 23 1
Sevilla (loan) 2024–25[70] La Liga 6 0 1 0 — — — 7 0
Career total 415 40 42 4 4 0 96 14 7 1 564 59
  1. ^ Includes Copa del Rey, FA Cup
  2. ^ Includes EFL Cup
  3. ^ a b Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i Appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League
  5. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in Supercopa de España
  6. ^ Six appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, nine appearances and three goals in UEFA Europa League
  7. ^ Appearance in UEFA Super Cup
  8. ^ Appearance in FIFA Club World Cup

International

[edit]
As of match played 18 November 2019[71]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Spain 2016 1 0
2017 6 0
2018 8 2
2019 4 1
Total 19 3
As of match played 18 November 2019
Spain score listed first, score column indicates score after each Saúl goal[71]
List of international goals scored by Saúl
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition Ref
1 8 September 2018 Wembley Stadium, London, England 11  England 1–1 2–1 2018–19 UEFA Nations League A [72]
2 11 September 2018 Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero, Elche, Spain 12  Croatia 1–0 6–0 2018–19 UEFA Nations League A [73]
3 12 October 2019 Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway 18  Norway 1–0 1–1 UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying [74]

Honours

[edit]

Atlético Madrid

Chelsea

Spain U19

Individual

  • UEFA European Under-19 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2012[38]
  • UEFA European Under-21 Championship Golden Boot: 2017[80]
  • UEFA European Under-21 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2017[81]
  • UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: 2017–18[82]

References

[edit]
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[edit]
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