Ander Barrenetxea

Ander Barrenetxea Muguruza, known as Barrene, came through Real Sociedad's youth system in San Sebastián. Usually deployed on the left, he offers more than a straight run down the touchline: he can carry the ball towards a defender, set up a teammate or arrive in the area to finish it. Those are different ways of asking the same question of a defence: who follows him when he leaves the wing?

The club listed him with its Easo youth group in 2017, then recorded his first-team debut during the 2018–19 season. His first senior goal came against Real Madrid in May 2019, when he reacted to a rebound after Mikel Oyarzabal's shot hit the post. It was an early example of the winger finding a chance inside the box rather than waiting for a cross to reach him outside it.

That summer Barrenetxea was part of Spain's European Under-19 title-winning side. He came on in the 2019 final against Portugal; the team won 2–0. His development at Real Sociedad continued through the club's cup run, and he entered the delayed 2020 Copa del Rey final as a late substitute in April 2021. Real Sociedad beat Athletic Club, giving him a first senior cup title as a participant in the final.

His attacking variety has appeared in specific matches rather than just in a position label. Against Ceuta in the Copa del Rey in January 2020, he created a chance for Alexander Isak, hit the post and later scored. In May 2023 he came off the bench against Real Madrid and finished an individual move to seal a 2–0 league win.

Spain used him from the bench in the 2023 European Under-21 Championship quarter-final against Switzerland, a match Spain won in extra time. He then made his senior international debut in March 2026, starting the goalless friendly against Egypt. Those appearances mark separate steps: youth tournament participation and an actual senior start, rather than merely a place in a squad.

The clearest later club milestone came in the April 2026 Copa del Rey final. Barrenetxea headed in Gonçalo Guedes's cross in the opening moments against Atlético de Madrid and started the match; Real Sociedad eventually won on penalties. That goal also illustrates another route into danger. A player associated with carrying the ball from wide had reached the box without it and finished a teammate's delivery.