Dani Ceballos is a talented Spanish footballer who has made a name for himself both domestically and internationally. Born on August 7, 1996, in Utrera, Spain, Ceballos has showcased his skills as a versatile midfielder for some of Europe’s top clubs. With a bright future ahead, let’s take a closer look at his career highlights, stats, and prospects.
Introduction to Dani Ceballos
Daniel Ceballos Fernández, commonly known as Dani Ceballos, is a professional football player who currently plays for Spanish giants Real Madrid. He is primarily a central midfielder but can also operate effectively in attacking midfield and on the left flank. Ceballos has represented Spain at various youth levels and has also earned 13 senior caps, scoring one goal for his country.
Early Life and Youth Career
Ceballos was born in the town of Utrera in the province of Seville, Andalusia. He began his youth career at Sevilla FC before moving to his hometown club CD Utrera. In 2011, at the age of 15, he joined Real Betis’ youth setup, where he continued his development.
Professional Debut and Rise
Ceballos made his professional debut for Real Betis in April 2014, coming on as a substitute in a Liga match against Real Sociedad. He quickly established himself as a regular in the Betis midfield, impressing with his technical ability, vision, and work rate. His performances caught the attention of several top clubs, and in July 2017, he secured a move to Real Madrid for a reported fee of €16.5 million.
Career Highlights
Real Betis
During his time at Real Betis, Ceballos made over 100 appearances for the club, scoring seven goals and providing nine assists. He played a key role in helping Betis gain promotion back to La Liga in the 2014-15 season and was named the best player of the Segunda División that year.
In the 2016-17 season, Ceballos’ final campaign with Betis, he showcased his potential with several standout performances. He scored two goals and provided four assists in 30 Liga appearances, earning praise for his creativity and technical skills.
Real Madrid
Since joining Real Madrid in 2017, Ceballos has faced stiff competition for places in the star-studded midfield. However, he has still managed to make an impact when called upon, featuring in 56 matches across all competitions for Los Blancos.
Ceballos was part of the Real Madrid squad that won the Champions League in 2018, although he did not feature in the final. He also helped the club win the FIFA Club World Cup in 2017 and 2018, as well as the UEFA Super Cup in 2017.
Loan to Arsenal
In search of more regular playing time, Ceballos joined English club Arsenal on loan for the 2019-20 season. He quickly became a fan favorite at the Emirates Stadium, impressing with his passing range, dribbling ability, and work rate.
Ceballos made 37 appearances for Arsenal across all competitions, scoring two goals and providing two assists. He played a key role in the club’s FA Cup triumph, starting in the final as Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 to secure the trophy. Following his successful loan spell, Arsenal extended his loan for another season, keeping him at the club until 2021.
Career Stats
Club Performance
As of June 2024, Ceballos has made a total of 333 club appearances, scoring 16 goals and providing 28 assists. His breakdown of appearances by club is as follows:
- Real Betis: 105 appearances, 7 goals, 9 assists
- Real Madrid: 56 appearances, 1 goal, 4 assists
- Arsenal (loan): 77 appearances, 5 goals, 7 assists
- Real Madrid (current): 95 appearances, 3 goals, 8 assists
International Career
Ceballos has represented Spain at various youth levels, winning the UEFA European Under-19 Championship in 2015 and the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2019. He scored the winning goal in the 2019 U21 Euro final against Germany.
At the senior level, Ceballos has earned 13 caps for Spain, scoring one goal. He made his debut in September 2018 in a UEFA Nations League match against England. His sole goal came in a friendly against Jordan in November 2021.
Achievements and Honors
Club Achievements
- 3x Champions League winner (Real Madrid): 2018, 2022, 2023
- 3x FIFA Club World Cup winner (Real Madrid): 2017, 2018, 2023
- 2x Spanish champion (Real Madrid): 2020, 2022
- 2x UEFA Super Cup winner (Real Madrid): 2017, 2022
- 1x Spanish Cup winner (Real Madrid): 2023
- 3x Spanish Super Cup winner (Real Madrid): 2020, 2022, 2023
- 1x FA Cup winner (Arsenal): 2020
- 1x Promotion to LaLiga (Real Betis): 2015
International Achievements
- 1x UEFA European Under-19 Championship winner: 2015
- 1x UEFA European Under-21 Championship winner: 2019
- Silver medal at Tokyo Olympic Games: 2020
Playing Style and Strengths
Position and Roles
Ceballos is a versatile midfielder who is comfortable playing in various positions across the central and attacking midfield areas. His primary position is as a central midfielder, where he can dictate play with his passing and vision. He also has the ability to play as an attacking midfielder, using his dribbling skills and creativity to unlock opposition defenses. Additionally, Ceballos can operate on the left side of midfield, cutting inside onto his stronger right foot.
Technical and Tactical Abilities
One of Ceballos’ key strengths is his exceptional technical ability. He possesses excellent close control, allowing him to navigate tight spaces and maintain possession under pressure. His passing range is also impressive, as he can switch play with long diagonal balls or play intricate through passes to split defenses.
Tactically, Ceballos has a good understanding of the game and can adapt to different systems and roles. He is a hard worker off the ball, pressing opponents and tracking back to help his defense when needed. His movement and positioning also enable him to find pockets of space to receive the ball and initiate attacks.
Future Prospects
Contract and Market Value
Ceballos’ current contract with Real Madrid runs until June 30, 2027, giving him long-term stability at the club. As of June 2024, his market value is estimated at €6.00m, reflecting his age and the remaining length of his contract.
Potential Transfers
Although Ceballos seems settled at Real Madrid, there have been rumors of potential interest from other clubs. Premier League sides have been linked with him in the past, given his successful loan spell at Arsenal. However, no concrete offers have been reported, and Ceballos has expressed his desire to succeed at Real Madrid.
Upcoming Matches and Goals
Ceballos will be looking to play a key role for Real Madrid in the upcoming season, starting with the UEFA Super Cup against the Europa League winners on August 14, 2024. The LaLiga season is set to begin on August 18, with Real Madrid aiming to defend their title. Ceballos will be hoping to contribute with more goals and assists to help his team compete on all fronts.
Conclusion
Dani Ceballos has already achieved significant success in his young career, winning major honors at both club and international levels. His technical skills, versatility, and work ethic make him a valuable asset for any team. With several years still ahead of him, Ceballos has the potential to become one of the leading midfielders in world football.
As he continues to develop and gain experience, Ceballos will be looking to cement his place in the Real Madrid starting lineup and become a key figure for the Spanish national team. His future prospects are bright, and fans will be eagerly following his progress in the coming years.
