David Silva is one of the first names on Spain's team-sheet
The Man City midfielder is Spain's top scorer (11) under Julen Lopetegui and has the second highest number of assists, after Cesc Fàbregas.
Goal threat
David Silva is currently the top scorer in Julen Lopetegui's Spain side after notching up his tenth and eleventh goals against Costa Rica on Saturday evening. The Manchester City playmaker is now fourth on Spain's all-time list with 35 goals, and only trails Villa, (59), Raúl (44) and Torres (38).
Minutes and assists
In the ten qualifiers for the World Cup in Russia next year, Silva has played 726 minutes. Only De Gea and Busquets and have played more. The Costa Rica game also saw the man from the Canary Islands make his 117th appearance for La Roja as he put in the kind of performance that makes him a sure-fire starter. Moreover, his pass to set up Jordi Alba's goal on Saturday, his 27th assist for Spain, means he draws level with Xavi on the list of the players with the most assists. Only Cesc Fàbregas has more (31).
Success and importance
Silva was handed his international debut by Luis Aragonés on 15 November 2006, and since then he has played his part in Spain's golden years, in which they have won the Euros twice, in 2008 and 2012, and the World Cup in South Africa, in 2010. The creative midfielder's consistency and vision have now made him one of La Roja's most important players, and one of the first names on the team-sheet.
