Mikel Oyarzabal Emerges as Most Underrated Star at 2026 World Cup

Mikel Oyarzabal, the 29-year-old striker for Real Sociedad and Spain's national team, is gaining recognition as the most underrated player at the 2026 World Cup. Despite not having the typical superstar profile or playing for a football powerhouse, Oyarzabal has been instrumental in Spain's success, leading the tournament's scoring charts and helping his team secure the 2024 European Championship with a memorable winning goal against England in Berlin.

Oyarzabal's World Cup performance has been impressive, scoring four goals from just six shots on target, including a brace and an assist in a 24-minute spell against Saudi Arabia and two crucial goals in the knockout stage against Austria. His tally places him among the tournament's top scorers alongside Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Vinicius Jr., and Ousmane Dembele. Overall, he has scored 29 goals and provided 12 assists in 57 international appearances, surpassing Spanish legends Emilio Butragueño and Fernando Morientes in all-time scoring.

Former England midfielder Paul Scholes praised Oyarzabal as one of the most underrated forwards globally, highlighting his modesty and focus on performance rather than media attention. Scholes emphasized that Oyarzabal embodies exactly what Spain needed in attack. Zlatan Ibrahimovic also noted that if Oyarzabal wore the name "Yamal" on his jersey, he might have been a Ballon d'Or contender.

Despite his achievements, Oyarzabal remains relatively anonymous compared to bigger stars, a situation he finds frustrating. However, if he surpasses Cristiano Ronaldo in scoring, the questions about his recognition may finally end. His quiet excellence and key contributions continue to make him a pivotal figure in Spain's campaign at the World Cup.

The ongoing tournament in 2026 is proving to be a stage where even lesser-known players like Oyarzabal can rise to prominence, challenging the typical narratives dominated by commercial and populist interests.