Spanish footballer (born 1996)
In this
Spanish name , the first or paternal
surname is
Ceballos and the second or maternal family name is
Fernández .
Daniel Ceballos Fernández (born 7 August 1996) is a Spanish professionalfootballer who plays as acentral midfielder forLa Liga clubReal Madrid .
Ceballos started his career at Spanish clubReal Betis where he helped them win theSegunda División . He was signed by Real Madrid in 2017, and two years later signed for EnglishPremier League clubArsenal onloan .
Ceballos won his firstcap for Spain in September 2018, in 6–0 home win overCroatia in theUEFA Nations League .
Ceballos at theReal Betis training ground, 2015 Ceballos was born inUtrera ,Andalusia .[ 5] He joinedSevilla 's youth system in 2004 at the age of eight, but was released in 2009 due to a chronicbronchitis problem.[ 6] He subsequently played for hometown clubUtrera , and completed his development withReal Betis after signing in 2011.[ 7] He signed a professional contract with Betis on 22 February 2014, while still a junior.[ 8]
On 26 April 2014, without even appearing forthe B team , Ceballos played his first game with the club's main squad, coming on as a latesubstitute in a 1–0La Liga home loss againstReal Sociedad .[ 9] He scored his first goal on 21 December, with the first of a 2–0 home win overRacing Santander in theSegunda División championship.[ 10] He featured in 33 matches and scored 5 times during the2014–15 Segunda División season, as Betis returned to La Liga at the first attempt.[ 11]
On 15 October 2015, after lengthy negotiations, Ceballos renewed his contract until June 2020.[ 12] He scored his first goal in the Spanish top flight on 16 April 2017, with the last goal in a 2–0 home win againstEibar .[ 13]
Ceballos playing forReal Madrid in 2018 On 14 July 2017, Ceballos signed for La Liga clubReal Madrid on a six-year contract,[ 14] for a transfer fee of around €18 million.[ 15] He made his debut on 16 August, replacingToni Kroos on the 80th minute of the second leg of the2017 Supercopa de España , a 2–0 home victory overBarcelona .[ 16] On 23 September, in his first start, he scored a two goals in a 2–1 away win overDeportivo Alavés .[ 17]
Ceballos made four appearances during the2017–18 UEFA Champions League ,[ 18] as Madrid won their third consecutive and 13th overall title inthe tournament .[ 19] On 13 January 2019, after only 15 minutes on the pitch and having been constantly booed by his former club's supporters, he scored from afree kick in the last minute of a 2–1 victory against Betis at theEstadio Benito Villamarín .[ 20]
On 25 July 2019, Ceballos joinedPremier League clubArsenal on a season-longloan .[ 21] He made his first start for Arsenal on 17 August in a 2–1 victory overBurnley , providing two assists in a man-of-the-match performance.[ 22] On 3 October, Ceballos scored his first goal for Arsenal in a 4–0 home victory againstStandard Liège in the group stage of the2019–20 UEFA Europa League .[ 23] On 28 June 2020, he scored his second Arsenal goal againstSheffield United in stoppage time to secure a 1–2 win in the quarter-final of the2019–20 FA Cup .[ 24] He played the full 90 minutes in thefinal , in which Arsenal beat Chelsea 2–1 atWembley Stadium .[ 25]
On 4 September 2020, Ceballos was loaned to Arsenal for another season.[ 26] [ 27] In one of the interviews, he stated that the manager,Mikel Arteta , was the main reason why he decided to stay at Arsenal, and that since joining the club he had become a much more mature player, having improved a lot.[ 28]
Return to Real Madrid [ edit ] Ceballos missed several months of the2021–22 season due to a heavy injury on his left ankle that he suffered in Spain's opening game against Egypt in the2020 Summer Olympics .[ 29] His first appearance upon his return came on 5 January 2022 as a substitute in a 3–1 away win overCD Alcoyano in the third round of2021–22 Copa del Rey .[ 30] On 28 May 2022, he came on as a substitute forLuka Modrić in the2022 UEFA Champions League final , which saw Madrid achieve a 1–0 win overLiverpool to lift the title.[ 31]
Ceballos provided an assist and scored the winning goal in a 3–2 comeback victory in the2022–23 Copa del Rey round of 16 match againstVillarreal on 19 January 2023.[ 32]
On 23 June 2023, Ceballos had an agreement with Los Blancos to extend the contract until 30 June 2027.[ 33] Later that year, on 12 December, he scored his first Champions League goal, securing a 3–2 away win overUnion Berlin .[ 34]
International career [ edit ] Ceballos playing forSpain 2019 On 5 November 2014, Ceballos was called up to theSpain under-19 side ,[ 35] appearing againstGermany ,France [ 36] andGreece in a tournament played in the latter nation.[ 37] He made his debut for theunder-21s on 26 March 2015, replacingSamu Castillejo at half-time of a 2–0friendly win overNorway inCartagena ;[ 38] four days later, inLeón , he made his first start, in a 4–0 win overBelarus .[ 39]
Despite beginning the competition in Poland on the bench, Ceballos' performances at the2017 UEFA European Under-21 Championship led Spain to the second place. Subsequently, he was named theplayer of the tournament .[ 40] With the under-21 side he also took part in the victorious2019 UEFA European Under-21 Championship Spain team. He was named in the team of the tournament for the second successive tournament.[ 41]
Ceballos won his firstcap forthe senior team on 11 September 2018, playing the entire 6–0 home win overCroatia in the2018–19 UEFA Nations League .[ 42] He scored his first goal for his country on 15 November, in a 3–2 loss inZagreb against the same opponent and in the same competition.[ 43]
On 29 June 2021, Ceballos was included as one of three overaged players inSpain 's preliminary squad for the2020 Summer Olympics after having missed out onEuro 2020 due to injury.[ 44] In July 2021, he was included in the 22-player squad of theunder-23 team for the2020 Summer Olympics .[ 45]
As of match played 1 February 2026 As of match played 28 March 2023 [ 59] Appearances and goals by national team and year National team Year Apps Goals Spain 2018 5 1 2019 4 0 2020 2 0 2023 2 0 Total 13 1
As of match played 28 March 2023 Spain score listed first, score column indicates score after each Ceballos goal. [ 59]
Real Betis
Real Madrid
Arsenal
Spain U19
Spain U21
Spain Olympic
Individual
UEFA European Under-21 Championship Player of the Tournament:2017 [ 40] UEFA European Under-21 Championship Team of the Tournament: 2017[ 81] ^ "Acta del Partido celebrado el 30 August 2014, en Sevilla" [Minutes of the Match held on 30 August 2014, in Seville] (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. Archived fromthe original on 24 November 2014. Retrieved15 June 2019 .^ "FIFA Club World Cup UAE 2017: List of Players: Real Madrid CF" (PDF) . FIFA. 30 November 2017. p. 5. Archived fromthe original (PDF) on 18 July 2019.^ "Dani Ceballos: Overview" . Premier League. Retrieved20 June 2020 .^ "Dani Ceballos: Profile" .worldfootball.net . HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved1 July 2021 .^ "Ceballos turns 22" . Real Madrid CF. 7 August 2018. Retrieved20 June 2020 .^ Aguado, Ángel (4 November 2014)." 'Dani Nike', la perla que brilla en el Betis y dejó escapar el Sevilla" ['Dani Nike', the gem who shines in Betis and who Sevilla let slip away] (in Spanish). El Desmarque. Retrieved2 December 2014 . ^ González, M. (28 April 2014)."Dani Ceballos, las lágrimas de una madre por un sueño" [Dani Ceballos, the tears of a mother for a dream].ABC (in Spanish). Retrieved26 May 2014 . ^ "El Betis ata a una joya con alma de entrenador" [Betis tie up gem with the soul of a coach] (in Spanish). Cuenta con la Cantera. 22 February 2014. Archived fromthe original on 7 December 2014. Retrieved26 May 2014 .^ "Real Betis 0–1 Real Sociedad" .ESPN FC . 26 April 2014. Retrieved26 May 2014 .^ "Merino se despide con un pleno y deja al Racing en descenso" [Merino says goodbye undefeated and leaves Racing inside the relegation zone].Marca (in Spanish). 21 December 2014. Retrieved16 February 2015 .^a b Pineda, Rafael (25 May 2015)."Las siete claves del ascenso del Betis" [The seven keys of Betis' promotion].El País (in Spanish). Retrieved21 August 2018 . ^ "El bético Dani Ceballos renueva hasta 2020" [Betis' Dani Ceballos renews until 2020].Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). 15 October 2015. Retrieved19 January 2016 .^ Espina, José A. (16 April 2017)."Joaquín, Adán y Ceballos salvan al Betis y también a Víctor" [Joaquín, Adán and Ceballos save Betis and Víctor too].Diario AS (in Spanish). Retrieved18 August 2017 . ^ "Comunicado oficial: Dani Ceballos" [Official announcement: Dani Ceballos] (in Spanish). Real Madrid CF. 14 July 2017. Retrieved14 July 2017 .^ "Ceballos rejects Barcelona to agree six-year Real Madrid contract" .Marca . Spain. 8 July 2017. Retrieved17 September 2017 .^ Bull, JJ (16 August 2017)."Real Madrid 2 Barcelona 0 (5–1 on aggregate): Woeful Barca dismissed as Zinedine Zidane's unstoppable side win Super Cup" .The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved17 August 2017 . ^ Sánchez, Jesús (23 September 2017)."Tomen nota de Ceballos" [Take note of Ceballos].Marca (in Spanish). Spain. Retrieved23 September 2017 . ^ "Así llegan Real Madrid y Liverpool a la final de la Champions" [That is how Real Madrid and Liverpool arrive to the Champions final] (in Spanish). RCN Radio. 25 May 2018. Retrieved29 May 2018 .^ "Madrid beat Liverpool to complete hat-trick" . UEFA. 26 May 2018. Retrieved28 May 2018 .^ "Dani Ceballos, tras marcar al Betis: "Desgraciadamente, he metido el gol" " [Dani Ceballos, after scoring to Betis: "Unfortunately, I scored the goal"].20minutos (in Spanish). 13 January 2019. Retrieved18 January 2019 .^ "Dani Ceballos and William Saliba sign for Arsenal" .BBC Sport . 25 July 2019. Retrieved6 September 2020 .^ Aarons, Ed (17 August 2019)."Lacazette and Aubameyang give Arsenal the edge over sturdy Burnley" .The Observer . Retrieved17 August 2019 . ^ Doyle, Tom (3 October 2019)."Arsenal vs Standard Liege highlights: Watch Europa League goals – Martinelli, Willock, Ceballos" .London Evening Standard . Retrieved19 July 2020 . ^ "FA Cup: Arsenal's Dani Ceballos scores late winner against Sheffield United" .BBC Sport . 28 June 2020. Retrieved1 May 2021 .^ Hytner, David (1 August 2020)."Aubameyang at the double as Arsenal turn tables on Chelsea to win FA Cup" .The Guardian . London. Retrieved6 September 2020 . ^ "Four players extend stay at club" .Four players extend stay at club . 20 July 2023. Retrieved4 June 2023 .^ "Dani Ceballos: Arsenal re-sign midfielder on loan for second season" .BBC Sport . 4 September 2020. Retrieved6 September 2020 .^ "Ceballos – I've improved so much at Arsenal" . Arsenal F.C. Retrieved29 January 2021 .^ "Madrid's Ceballos has 'complete tear' in ankle" .ESPN.com . 10 August 2021. Retrieved21 January 2023 .^ "CD Alcoyano 1–3 Real Madrid" .BBC Sport . Retrieved21 January 2023 .^ "Liverpool 0–1 Real Madrid" .UEFA . 28 May 2022.^ "Villarreal vs. Real Madrid 2–3" .ESPN.com . Retrieved21 January 2023 .^ "Official Announcement: Ceballos | Real Madrid CF" .Real Madrid C.F . Retrieved23 June 2023 .^ "Real Madrid secure victory over Union Berlin through Joselu and Dani Ceballos following late drama" . Marca. 12 December 2023.^ González, N. (5 November 2014)."Dani Ceballos tampoco estará en el duelo del Betis en Zaragoza" [Dani Ceballos will still not be available for Betis' clash in Zaragoza].Marca (in Spanish). Spain. Retrieved2 December 2014 . ^ "Dani Ceballos, titular en el triunfo de España sub 19" [Dani Ceballos, starter in Spain under 19 triumph].ABC (in Spanish). 15 November 2014. Archived fromthe original on 2 December 2014. Retrieved2 December 2014 .^ "Dani Ceballos participa en otra victoria de España sub 19" [Dani Ceballos takes part in another Spain under 19 victory].ABC (in Spanish). 17 November 2014. Archived fromthe original on 2 December 2014. Retrieved2 December 2014 .^ Muñoz, Antonio D. (26 March 2015)."REPORT – Spain beats Norway and strengthens the team (2–0)" . Royal Spanish Football Federation. Retrieved30 March 2015 . [permanent dead link ] ^ "España 4–0 Bielorrusia: Bienvenidos al show de Gerard Deulofeu" [Spain 4–0 Belarus: Welcome to the Gerard Deulofeu show].Goal.com (in Spanish). Perform Group. 30 March 2015. Retrieved30 March 2015 .^a b "Spain's Dani Ceballos named Player of the Tournament" . UEFA. 30 June 2017. Retrieved30 June 2017 .^ "Official Under-21 Team of the Tournament" . UEFA. 1 July 2019. Retrieved1 April 2020 .^ Dunne, Robbie (11 September 2018)."Spain – Croatia match report: UEFA Nations League" .Diario AS . Archived fromthe original on 12 September 2018. Retrieved11 September 2018 . ^ "Croatia 3–2 Spain" . UEFA. 15 November 2018. Retrieved15 November 2018 .^ "Spain Names Six From Euro Squad to Olympic Roster" .Sports Illustrated . Associated Press. 29 June 2021. Retrieved1 July 2021 .^ "Estos son los internacionales que representarán a España en Tokio" (in Spanish). SEFutbol. 29 June 2021. Archived fromthe original on 4 July 2021. Retrieved29 June 2021 .^ "Dani Ceballos: Matches: 2013–14" .BDFutbol . Retrieved6 September 2020 .^a b "Dani Ceballos: Matches: 2014–15" .BDFutbol . Retrieved6 September 2020 .^ "Dani Ceballos: Matches: 2015–16" .BDFutbol . Retrieved6 September 2020 .^ "Dani Ceballos: Matches: 2016–17" .BDFutbol . Retrieved6 September 2020 .^ "Dani Ceballos: Matches: 2017–18" .BDFutbol . Retrieved6 September 2020 .^ "Dani Ceballos: Matches: 2018–19" .BDFutbol . Retrieved6 September 2020 .^ "Dani Ceballos: Matches: 2021–22" .BDFutbol . Retrieved11 February 2023 .^ "Dani Ceballos: Matches: 2022–23" .BDFutbol . Retrieved11 February 2023 .^ "Dani Ceballos: Matches: 2023–24" .BDFutbol . Retrieved20 December 2023 .^ "Dani Ceballos: Matches: 2024–25" .BDFutbol . Retrieved13 August 2024 .^ "Dani Ceballos: Matches: 2025–26" .BDFutbol . Retrieved23 September 2025 .^ "Games played by Dani Ceballos in 2019/2020" .Soccerbase . Centurycomm. Retrieved6 September 2020 .^ "Games played by Dani Ceballos in 2020/2021" .Soccerbase . Centurycomm. Retrieved6 September 2020 .^a b "Ceballos, Dani" .National Football Teams . Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved6 September 2020 .^ "Croatia vs. Spain 3–2: Summary" .Soccerway . Perform Group. Retrieved6 September 2020 .^ Westwood, James (30 April 2022)."Real Madrid clinch 35th La Liga title with four games to spare after victory over Espanyol" .Goal.com . Retrieved30 April 2022 . ^ "Real Madrid crowned champions after Barca's defeat at Girona" .BBC Sport . 4 May 2024. Retrieved4 May 2024 .^ "Real Madrid 2–1 Osasuna: Rodrygo scores twice as Madrid win Copa del Rey" . BBC. 6 May 2023. Retrieved6 May 2023 .^ "Acta del Partido celebrado el 13 de agosto de 2017, en Barcelona" [Minutes of the Match held on 13 August 2017, in Barcelona] (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. Archived fromthe original on 18 August 2017. Retrieved20 June 2020 ."Acta del Partido celebrado el 16 de agosto de 2017, en Madrid" [Minutes of the Match held on 16 August 2017, in Madrid] (in Spanish). Royal Spanish Football Federation. Archived fromthe original on 28 January 2023. Retrieved20 June 2020 .^ Mctear, Euan (16 January 2022)."Modric and Benzema fire Real Madrid to the Supercopa title" .Marca . Retrieved16 January 2022 . ^ "El Real Madrid recupera su corona en la Supercopa (4–1)" .Real Federación Española de Fútbol (in Spanish). 14 January 2024. Retrieved15 January 2024 .^ "Dani Ceballos" .Real Madrid .^ "Champions League final: Vinícius Júnior scores only goal as Real Madrid deny Liverpool again" .UEFA . Union of European Football Associations. 28 May 2022. Retrieved28 May 2022 .^ "Champions League: Real Madrid beat Dortmund for 15th title" . espn.co.uk. 1 June 2024. Retrieved1 June 2024 .^ "Real Madrid 2–0 Eintracht Frankfurt: Five-star Madrid triumph in Helsinki" .UEFA . Union of European Football Associations. 10 August 2022. Retrieved11 August 2022 .^ Sutcliffe, Steven (14 August 2024)."Real Madrid 2–0 Atalanta" . BBC Sport. Retrieved15 August 2024 . ^ "Match report: Real Madrid Club de Fútbol – Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense" . FIFA. Archived fromthe original on 18 July 2018.^ "Club World Cup 2018: Final: Real Madrid – Al Ain FC 4:1: Match details" .worldfootball.net . HEIM:SPIEL. 22 December 2018. Retrieved20 June 2020 .^ "Vinicius and Valverde dazzle as five-star Madrid conquer" .FIFA . 11 February 2023. Retrieved11 February 2023 .^ "Real Madrid 3–0 Pachuca: Kylian Mbappé scores in intercontinentalscores in Intercontinental Cup final" .BBC Sport . 18 December 2024. Retrieved19 December 2024 .^ McNulty, Phil (1 August 2020)."Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea" .BBC Sport . Retrieved1 August 2020 . ^ "Final: Spain 2–0 Russia: Line-ups" . UEFA. Retrieved6 September 2020 .^ "Final: Spain 2–1 Germany: Line-ups" . UEFA. Retrieved6 September 2020 .^ "Final: Germany 1–0 Spain: Line-ups" . UEFA. Retrieved6 September 2020 .^ "Tokyo Olympics: Brazil defend gold medal, down Spain in extra time of men's soccer final" .cbssports.com . 7 August 2021. Retrieved7 August 2021 .^ "Official Under-21 Team of the Tournament" . UEFA. 1 July 2017. Retrieved1 July 2017 .
Golden player Top goalscorer