Eleven Uruguayans in LaLiga 2026/2027: Valverde named Real Madrid captain, Araujo off to Liverpool

Eleven Uruguayans, nine clubs and a captain wearing the armband for the first time. That's how the Uruguayan contingent shows up for the 2026/2027 season of LaLiga EA Sports, a number that confirms something nobody in Uruguay argues about anymore: sending footballers to Spain remains a habit that never fades.

The move that made the most noise in the transfer market was Ronald Araujo leaving Barcelona. The center back, a symbol of the Catalan club's defense for several seasons, is heading somewhere new to test himself in the Premier League for the first time, signing with Liverpool. His departure leaves Barca without a Uruguayan on the roster and reshuffles the map of Uruguayan players in Spain.

But if there's one story filling people with pride on the other side of the Atlantic, it's Federico Valverde's. The midfielder isn't just staying at Real Madrid, the club where he established himself as an undisputed starter, he'll also be the squad's captain for the first time in his career. Dani Carvajal's exit left the role open, and the coaching staff decided the Uruguayan would wear the armband from the start of the season, a nod to his standing and his loyalty to the Madrid club.

A presence spread across nine clubs

The list doesn't stop at the big names. Atletico Madrid continues to rely on Jose Maria Gimenez, one of the continent's most experienced defenders, at the Metropolitano. At Celta Vigo, Matias Vecino remains a fixture, contributing mileage and goals from midfield, while Leandro Cabrera holds his ground at Espanyol.

Two clubs can boast having a pair of Uruguayans on their rosters. Betis has Facundo Bernal and Gonzalo Petit, and Getafe has Sebastian Boselli and Martin Satriano. Petit is one case worth watching closely: he's already played in Spain, but in the second division, and now he'll get his shot at making his top flight debut.

Something similar applies to Facundo Gonzalez, who arrives at Racing Santander also with previous experience in Spain's lower divisions and will now look for his first minutes in the top flight. These are cases that show how Uruguayan talent isn't just landing at the usual powerhouses, it's also finding paths through mid-table clubs where players can get seasoned before making the definitive leap.

Rounding out the list are Carlos Benavidez Protesoni at Alaves and Santiago Mourino at Villarreal, two spots where the Uruguayans will look to earn playing time at clubs fighting for a place in Europe.

With this many players scattered across LaLiga, Uruguay once again confirms itself as one of the countries contributing the most talent to Spanish soccer, with players in undisputed starting roles, others fighting for minutes and a new generation knocking on the door.