Spain star Fabián Ruiz eyes historic Garrincha record at World Cup
Fabián Ruiz is two matches away from equaling Garrincha's legendary 49-game unbeaten streak for a national team.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Bulopzt
In this Friday's World Cup quarter-final against Belgium, Spain's Fabián Ruiz has the chance to move closer to a significant historical milestone. The midfielder is currently on a 47-game unbeaten run while representing the Spanish national team.
This achievement puts him within reach of the legendary mark set by Brazil's Garrincha, who famously went 49 games unbeaten between 1955 and 1966. Should Spain advance through the tournament while maintaining their positive form, Ruiz could equal the record of one of football's greatest icons.
According to data from football statistician Mister Chip, the record for the longest unbeaten sequence by a player in a senior national team is held by Spain's own Carlos Marchena, who went 57 matches without defeat between 2003 and 2010. Zinedine Zidane also features on this elite list, having accumulated 39 games without a loss for France.
Beyond Ruiz's individual milestone, the entire Spanish squad is experiencing a historic moment. Managed by Luis de la Fuente, the team enters the Belgium clash on a 35-game unbeaten streak, equalling their national record set during the golden era between 2007 and 2009, which included their 2008 European Championship victory.
Spain remains the only team in the 2026 World Cup yet to concede a goal. The high-stakes quarter-final match against Belgium takes place this Friday in Los Angeles.