Record-breaking Ramos? How Spain could line-up against Switzerland

Martin Macdonald

Sergio Ramos could break the record for the most international caps for a European player should he play against Switzerland in the Nations League.

With his appearance for Spain against the Netherlands on Wednesday, he tied Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon on 176 caps.

If, as expected, he plays against the Swiss, he will move on to 177.

Top 10 international appearance makers of all time

RankNameNationCapsActive?
1Ahmed HassanEgypt184No
2Ahmed MubarakOman179Yes
=3Mohamed Al-DeayeaSaudi Arabia178No
=3Bader Al-MutawaKuwait178Yes
5Claudio SuarezMexico177No
=6Gianluigi BuffonItaly176No
=6Hossam HassanEgypt176No
=6Sergio RamosSpain176Yes
9Amer ShafiJordan173No
=10Ivan HurtadoEcuador168No
=10Cristiano RonaldoPortugal168Yes

Head coach Luis Enrique is set to make several changes to his starting XI after drawing 1-1 against the Dutch, with a few fringe players being given the opportunity to impress in that friendly game.

David de Gea will return in goal to replace Unai Simon, while Pau Torres will likely come in to partner Ramos in the centre of defence.

Hector Bellerin should retain his place at right-back, with Sergio Reguilon coming in at left-back after Jose Gaya was taken off midway through the first half on Wednesday.

In could be as you were in the middle of the pitch with Rodri and Koke playing centrally, though Sergio Busquets is another option.

Enrique could opt for basically a front four consisting of Alvaro Morata, Marco Asensio, Ferran Torres, and Mikel Oyarzabal.

Ansu Fati is out for four months with a knee injury.

Predicted Spain XI v Switzerland

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