Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas is reportedly in line to have his own tribute erected outside the Estadio de Balaidos, which has been proposed as one of the potential venues for the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
Earning a statue outside your club’s stadium is one of the highest honours a footballer can receive. Thierry Henry can be seen doing his iconic knee slide next to Arsenal's Emirates stadium, while Bobby Moore has his foot planted on the ball outside Wembley.
It’s effectively a crowning moment - the statue embodies a player’s lasting legacy at a club. And for Aspas, few players have meant more to Celta Vigo’s history than their hometown hero.
Aspas Set for Statue Outside Potential World Cup Stadium
The striker is a Celta Vigo icon
According to MailOnline, Aspas - hailed as the "best player" in Celta Vigo's history - has been promised a statue of himself outside the stadium by club president Marian Mourino.
"When we were in Manchester, there was a statue of Bobby Charlton in front of the stadium.
"The same will happen here with Iago Aspas,"
A product of Celta Vigo’s youth academy, Aspas broke into the first team in 2008 before earning a move to Liverpool five years later.
However, his stint at Anfield was largely a disaster and, following a short loan at Sevilla, he made his return to Celta in 2015.
The Spaniard has racked up over 500 appearances for the club in both of his stints either side of the spell in Merseyside, scoring more than 200 goals along the way.
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Aspas is Considered a Liverpool Flop
He managed just 15 appearances
Although regarded as a legend in Spain, fans in England might remember Aspas for very different reasons. Liverpool paid around £7 million for his services, but he made just 15 appearances for the Reds, scoring only once.
It was already a disappointing spell on paper, potentially one of the worst in the club's history too, though one moment in particular came to define his time on Merseyside. During a crucial Premier League clash with Chelsea in 2014, Liverpool were trailing 1-0 after Steven Gerrard's infamous slip earlier in the match but earned a corner in stoppage time in what could have been a potential lifeline in their pursuit of the domestic title.
Instead, Aspas played the set-piece straight to Blues winger Willian at the edge of the box, much to the frustration of fans and teammates.
Iago Aspas' Career Statistics
Club
Celta Vigo
Sevilla
Liverpool
He reflected on what could have been of his Liverpool career and the impact that one corner had on the outlook of his tenure in England when speaking to the Daily Mail.
"It was a great season for Liverpool… I just wish I could have played a bigger part.
"The corner is the last memory they have of me but football always gives you another chance."
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Statistics courtesy of Transfermarkt.com - Correct as of 12/06/2025