Ander Barrenetxea Muguruza

Early career

Born in San Sebastián, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, Barrenetxea is a product of Real Sociedad's youth setup. He joined the club from Antiguoko in 2013 alongside Martín Zubimendi. In the 2018–19 season, he began to train with the senior team, while registered with the club's C-team playing in the amateur fourth tier. In early December 2018, he renewed his contract until 2025.

First team debut

On 22 December 2018, Barrenetxea made his professional and La Liga debut as a late substitute for Real Sociedad in a 1–0 home loss against Deportivo Alavés. By doing so, he became the first footballer born in the 21st century to appear in the competition, 26th youngest debutant in the division overall, and club's youngest since the Spanish Civil War; the latter behind only 15-year-old Pedro Irastorza in 1934. Coincidentally, the footballer who left the field – Juanmi – was even younger upon debuting the competition eight years earlier. Barrenetxea's rapid progression to the senior team made him the first youth product to appear at that level without having played for the club's reserve team. Two days after his breakthrough, he returned to play Real Sociedad C. Barrenetxea made his debut for Sanse on 6 January 2019, scoring on his debut in the third tier during a 3–0 home victory against Izarra. On 12 May, he scored his first professional goal for the first team in a 3–1 home victory over Real Madrid.

Promoting to the first team

On 9 June 2019,…

Youth

Barrenetxea was called up for the Spain Under-16 team in 2016 and 2017, and appeared for the Under-18 in November 2018. He also featured for the regional Basque Country in the same age groups. Barrenetxea was selected for the 20-man Spain squad for the 2019 UEFA European Under-19 Championship, and came on as an 80th-minute substitute as Spain beat Portugal 2–0 in the final to be crowned winners of the competition. Barrenetxea received call-up to Under-21 team for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, and was taking part in the tournament as Spain awarded as runner-ups after England defeated Spain by 1–0 in the final.

Senior

On 31 March 2026, Barrenetxea made his senior debut for Spain in a goalless friendly draw against Egypt.

Club

As of match played 3 September 2026

International

As of match played 31 March 2026

Real Sociedad

Copa del Rey: 2019–20, 2025–26 Spain U21

UEFA European Under-21 Championship runner-up: 2023