Iago Aspas

Celta

Aspas was born in Moaña, Province of Pontevedra. Brought through the youth ranks of local club Celta de Vigo, he made his first-team debut in the 2007–08 season with the side in Segunda División, then played his second game on 6 June 2009: brought on as a 59th-minute substitute against Alavés, he scored both of his team's goals in a 2–1 home win, being essential as they eventually escaped relegation. When he was 17, he was loaned to neighbouring Rápido de Bouzas, where he spent his penultimate year as a junior. Aspas was definitively promoted from the reserves for 2009–10, going on to appear in several more campaigns in the second tier with the Galicians. In the 2011–12 season, he scored a career-best 23 league goals, second-best in the competition behind Almería's Leonardo Ulloa as Celta returned to La Liga after a five-year absence; as a result of his performances, he was voted best forward and Zarra Trophy winner for the division. Aspas made his top flight debut on 18 August 2012, starting in a 1–0 home loss against Málaga. He scored his first goal in the competition the following month, contributing to a 2–0 win over Osasuna also at Balaídos Stadium, and added a further 11 during the campaign to help the side escape relegation in the final matchday. On 15 March 2013, during the 3–1 Galician derby away loss to Deportivo de La Coruña, Aspas was sent off after half an hour for headbutting Carlos Marchena.

Liverpool

In May 2013, it was widely…

Spain

In December 2012 Aspas, along with Michu, was poised to be called up by manager Vicente del Bosque for a debut with the Spain national team on 6 February 2013, in an exhibition game with Uruguay in Doha, Qatar. However, neither made the final squad for that match. Aspas finally earned his first cap on 15 November 2016, under new coach Julen Lopetegui, replacing Juan Mata for the second half of the 2–2 friendly draw against England, being booked and scoring his side's first goal. His competitive debut came on 24 March of the following year, as he played the last six minutes of the 4–1 home win over Israel for the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Aspas was included in the 23-man squad for the World Cup finals in Russia. He made his debut in the competition on 15 June 2018, replacing Diego Costa, who had scored twice, for the final 14 minutes of the 3–3 group-stage draw against Portugal. Ten days later, having come on for the same player, he scored a last-minute equaliser with a backheel to help his team draw 2–2 against Morocco and reach the knockout phase as group champions. On 1 July 2018, again after having taken the place of Costa, Aspas was one of two Spanish players to miss his attempt in the 4–3 penalty shootout round-of-16 loss to Russia in Moscow. In March 2023, after nearly four years without an appearance, the 35-year-old was called by newly-appointed coach Luis de la Fuente for UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Norway and Scotland.

…

Club

As of match played 3 September 2026

International

Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Aspas goal.

Aspas' older brother, Jonathan, was also a footballer; he too came through Celta's youth system. Their cousins Aitor Aspas, Raúl Blanco and Adrián Cruz were also involved in the sport. Aspas has three children with his wife Jennifer Rueda, whom he married in June 2019.