Spain's under-23 team have advanced to the semifinals of the Olympic football tournament after scoring three goals in extra time to beat Côte d'Ivoire's junior team 5-2. Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Rafa Mir scored a hattrick after having come off the bench to lead Spain to their first appearance in the final four since 2000, when they reached the final.
Besides Mir, another of the standout performers in Spain's victory was Mikel Oyarzabal. The Real Sociedad winger was a constant threat to the Ivorian defense up front, scoring from the penalty spot in the 98th minute and also setting up Mir's third goal close to the end of extra time.
Last week, I mentioned that Oyarzabal, like Brazil and Everton striker Richarlison, is far too good a player for this tournament level. This fact was on full display against Côte d'Ivoire. Almost immediately from the opening whistle, it was evident that the Basque was simply a class above almost every other player on the field - his own teammates included.
Oyarzabal's performances in Tokyo come off the back of his appearance at Euro 2020. Although Oyarzabal entered as a substitute in five of La Furia Roja's six matches at the continental tournament, he acquitted himself throughout and established himself as a likely future core piece for the Spanish national team.
If you recall, last week I mentioned that it might be time for Richarlison to seek a new challenge at another club befitting of his skill level. You might assume that I would say the same about Oyarzabal. However, I am hesitant to do so for two reasons.
The first reason is the fact that Real Sociedad are a club on the rise. They have finished in the top six of La Liga three times in the last five seasons and won the 2020 Copa del Rey. Having finished fifth last season, it's certainly possible that with Oyarzabal leading them, the Basque club can claim a top-four finish and the accompanying Champions League berth for the first time since the 2012-13 season.
Oyarzabal does have a solid supporting cast around him - Mikel Merino, Andoni Gorosabel, Alexander Isak, Adnan Januzaj, and David Silva, who has still been effective despite being long past his prime. The question, however, remains whether Real Sociedad can make the "leap". Depending on how this season goes, we might have to redefine Spain's "Big Three" of Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid, and Barcelona as a "Big Four" which would now include Sevilla. If Sevilla maintain their level of play from last season, it will be extremely difficult for Real Sociedad to break through and finish in the top four.
Last year, I said that there is a distinct possibility of Oyarzabal leaving the Anoeta. On paper, this would seem logical, especially if Real Sociedad again fail to make the Champions League. However, there is a second, much more sentimental reason why he might remain at Real Sociedad: regional pride.
In the Basque Country, regional identity is taken very seriously indeed - so much so that a thriving secessionist movement exists there. There is also a Basque Country football team which is not authorized by FIFA; Oyarzabal has played for this team in the past. Given the fact that Real Sociedad is close to a Champions League spot, he might consider the point that if he were to stay for the long hail and help Real Sociedad make it to the next level, he would undoubtedly go down as not only a club legend, but as a legend of Basque football.
That said, of course any player of Oyarzabal's calibre and age (he's 24) could easily go to a Champions League contender and fit in seamlessly. Certainly, there's many a top club which would seek his services. If Oyarzabal wants to chase not only Champions League titles, but also make big money and live in a glamorous city, he might very well bolt just as so many have done before him.
It is likely that ultimately, Oyarzabal will be forced to choose between international renown and regional pride. However, in the unlikely but magical event that everything falls into place exactly according to plan, Oyarzabal might very well end up with both.
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