Famous Spanish Men

Rafael Nadal is considered to be one of the greatest tennis players ever and is called the king of clay. The Spanish national has won 20 Grand Slam singles titles and holds the record of winning 13 French Open Championships. He also has one Australian Open, two Wimbledon and four US Open titles to his name.

Pablo Picasso was a renowned artist whose paintings sell by millions of dollars at auctions even today, many years after his death. With masterful strokes, attractive shades and rich textures, Picasso created some of the most visually impressive arts of the 20th century. While exploring new styles and experimenting with different techniques, Picasso co-founded Cubist art style and co-invented collage.

A football addict from beginning, Pep Guardiola went on to become a key player with the Barcelona and the Spanish National team. He played a crucial role in winning major titles like the La Liga and an Olympic gold medal. After retiring as a player, he became a coach and is widely regarded as one of the world's best coaches. 

Salvador Dali was a Spanish artist best remembered for his precise draftsmanship and technical skills. His artwork is famous for depicting bizarre and striking images. In spite of producing brilliant artworks, Dali's ostentatious and eccentric public behavior often overshadowed his professional achievements, much to the irritation of his fans and critics. His works have influenced other artists like Jeff Koons.

Spanish actor, Javier Bardem, is an acclaimed artist and has worked in notable films like Skyfall, Love in the Time of Cholera, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, Mother and Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. He has also acted in numerous Spanish movies. He won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for the 2007 film No Country for Old Men.

Two-time FIA Hall of Fame inductee Fernando Alonso began go-carting at age 3 and won several trophies by 10. The youngest to win the F-1 World Championship, for Renault, he later led a Ferrari team. When he isn’t racing, he is busy managing his e-sports team and working for UNICEF.

One of the most popular Spanish singer-songwriters of all time, Enrique Iglesias is widely known as the King of Latin Pop. Having sold more than 180 million records worldwide, Enrique Iglesias is among the best-selling Latin music artists list. He often uses his popularity to help raise funds to benefit humanitarian organizations like the American Red Cross.

Spanish footballer, Sergio Ramos, is known for his defensive skills and also for his ability to play offensively and score goals. He plays for the Premier League Club, Real Madrid. Ramos was a member of the Spanish national side which won the European Championship in 2008 and 2012 and the World Cup in 2010. 

One of the most popular Spanish-American actors of all time, Antonio Banderas has made a name for himself in Hollywood. Apart from being a successful actor, he is also an accomplished businessman. A perfume industry veteran, Antonio Banderas has been working with the fragrance and beauty company Puig for several years and is the brand's most popular representative.

Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué, who plays for FC Barcelona, is considered one of the world’s best centre halves. He is amongst the few players who have won the UEFA Champions League for two consecutive years, but for different teams. He also played a crucial role in the Spain national team’s victory in 2010 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2012.

Fernando Torres is a former football player whose ability to score goals earned him a reputation as one of the best goal-scorers in the world. He helped his Spanish football team win their first FIFA World Cup in 2010. Such is his popularity in Spain that a stadium was built in his honor in Fuenlabrada, Spain, in 2011.

Francisco Franco overthrew the Second Spanish Republic by leading the Nationalist forces as their general during the Spanish Civil War. Subsequently, Franco ruled over Spain as a dictator from 1939 to 1975. He had such an impact as a dictator that the period between the Nationalist victory and Franco's death is known as Francoist Spain in the history of Spain.

Spanish explorer and conquistador Juan Ponce de León was the first governor of Puerto Rico but had to give away the governorship to Christopher Columbus's son, Diego. Juan led the first European expedition to Florida. He was knighted by King Ferdinand but died in an attempt to colonize coastal U.S.

Spanish-German actor Daniel Brühl began his career with the soap Verbotene Liebe. Raised trilingual, he is now fluent in six languages. Hollywood knows him best as Fredrick Zoller from Inglourious Basterds, while he first made waves with the German film Good Bye, Lenin! He later co-owned two bars.

Iker Casillas is a Spanish former footballer who won the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Counted among the greatest goalkeepers in the history of the sport, Casillas was renowned for his spectacular saves and athleticism. He was named the IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper on a record five occasions. Also a philanthropist, Casillas owns a charitable foundation in Spain.

Brazilian footballer Marcelo Vieira, who now captains the Spanish club Real Madrid, is known as one of the world’s best left-backs. The Rio-born football star has previously had a successful stint with the Brazilian club Fluminense. He also won Brazil a team bronze and a team silver at the Olympics.

Cesc Fàbregas is a Spanish football player. Widely regarded as one of the best midfielders, Fàbregas played a key role in helping his national team win its first FIFA World Cup in 2010; his pass to Andrés Iniesta in the world cup final was converted into a goal, which gave Spain its first title.

Miguel de Cervantes was a Spanish writer best known for his work Don Quixote, which is considered one of the high points of world literature. He is regarded as one of the greatest novelists of all time and the greatest writer to ever write in the Spanish language. His works have influenced other works of art like music and paintings.

Charles II of Spain reigned as the king of Spain from 1665 to 1700. He was the last king from the House of Habsburg to rule the Spanish Empire. Despite suffering from many illnesses throughout his life, Charles proved to be a reasonably influential king. The town of Charleroi and the Caroline Islands in modern Belgium were named after Charles.

Italian-born Brazilian-origin footballer Thiago Alcântara grew up watching his footballer father Mazinho. The talented midfielder has played for teams such as Barcelona and Bayern Munich and now represents Liverpool and the national team of Spain. An injury prevented him from playing in the World Cup 2014.

Diego Costa is a professional football player who helped Atlético Madrid win a UEFA Super Cup, Copa del Rey title, and La Liga title. Costa is one of the few footballers to have represented two international teams, having played for the Brazil national team and Spain national team; he played for the latter at the 2014 and 2018 World Cups.

Saint Ignatius of Loyola was a  Spanish Basque Catholic priest and theologian in the 16th century. He was one of the founders of the religious order called the Society of Jesus and served as its first Superior General at Paris. He was an inspired spiritual director and the founder of what is today known as "Ignatian spirituality."

Pedro Almodovar is a Spanish screenwriter, filmmaker, and former actor. Regarded as one of the most successful Spanish filmmakers of all time, Almodovar has two Academy Awards, two Golden Globe Awards, and five British Academy Film Awards under his belt. His films are characterized by complex narratives, irreverent humor, and great music.

Best known to fans as The Professor from the iconic Spanish series La Casa De Papel, or Money Heist, has won several awards for the role. He overcame cancer in his 30s. The father of twins is now a co-owner of the Spanish theater company 300 Pistolas.

Alvaro Morata is a Spanish professional soccer player who has represented popular clubs like Real Madrid, Juventus, Chelsea, and Atlético Madrid. He is also an important player for the national team, having gathered the experience of playing in high-pressure tournaments like the UEFA European Football Championship. A versatile player, Alvaro Morata is best known for his pace, energy, and technique.

Known as an attacking midfielder from Spain, Juan Mata is a promising young footballer who plays for the Spanish national team and Manchester United. Born to a footballer father, he began his career with the Real Madrid youth team. While at Chelsea, fans called him Johnny Kills.

Francisco Pizarro was a Spanish conquistador best remembered for his expeditions that eventually paved the way for the Spanish conquest of Peru. Along with Vasco Núñez de Balboa, Pizarro became the first European to reach the Pacific Ocean after crossing the Isthmus of Panama. After two failed expeditions to Peru, Pizarro led a third and successful campaign to conquer Peru.

Felipe VI of Spain is the current King of Spain, reigning since 2014. He ascended the throne upon the abdication of his father, Juan Carlos I. His mother is Queen Sofía. As the king, he is head of state and commander-in-chief of the Spanish Armed Forces as well. He also serves as the honorary president of several associations and foundations. 

Alfredo Di Stéfano was an Argentine-born Spanish football player and coach. Counted among the greatest football players of all time, Di Stéfano is remembered for his association with Real Madrid, where he played a major role in the club's domination of La Liga and the European Cup during the 1950s. In 2004, he was included in Pele’s FIFA 100 list.

Isco is a Spanish football player best known for his excellent ball control and technique. Over the years, he has represented popular teams like Real Madrid and the Spain national team. He was named among the world's 30 best players during the 2017-18 season.