Profile
Season stats
Full career & schedule →Domestic-league season · Malaga.
Performance data · by competition
| Competition | Apps | G | A | Min | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Segunda División | 37 | 0 | 1 | 2847 | 6.75 |
 UEFA U19 Championship - Qualificationat Spain U19 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 347 | — |
 World Cup - U20at Spain U20 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 270 | 7.1 |
Scout report
Izan Merino is a 20-year-old central midfielder at Malaga, rated 69.4 overall by Field Insider's model, ranking 13th of 452 on scout potential in the Segunda División and 108th of 993 U-21 players tracked. A young player, he has been a regular starter this season (68.8% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 1.33 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Merino.
Judged on this season alone, Merino graded 15 — a workmanlike campaign that ranks 22nd of 34 of the 34 defensive midfielders in the Segunda División, on 0 goals, 1 assist and 1.328 defensive actions per 90.
Year-on-year, that's broadly in line with last season (Season 12 → 15).
On long-term talent our Rating reads 69, top 3% of the 34 defensive midfielders in the Segunda División. At 20 Merino is still climbing toward his ceiling, and a market index of 25.1 reflects that trajectory.
Merino is operating at his career peak — the 2025/26 level is the level.
Output in context · Malaga finished 4th of 22 · an upper-table side
1.33 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — light defensive volume, with 9 clean sheets across 37 appearances. Behind an upper-table side (4th of 22) the side controls more games, so the defensive load is lighter — the value sits as much in composure and ball progression as in raw volume. Going forward he chipped in 0 goals and 1 assist — a useful bonus from the back.
Strengths
- Availability. On the pitch for 68.8% of available minutes — a dependable presence in the XI.
- Ceiling. High potential at just 20 — room to grow into a bigger role.
Watch points
- Defensive numbers. Modest 1.33 defensive actions per 90 for the position.
Outlook
With a Rating of 69.4, Merino carries the 1st-highest potential of the defensive midfielders in the Segunda División (top 3%). Defensively he reads as light defensive volume (1.33 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). At 20 the trajectory points up — potential sits near its ceiling (98/100) and market value should climb as minutes and output follow. With this floor already at 20, the ceiling gets tested by a step up in level — one to track.
Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.
Season statistics
Bars = where he ranks among central midfielders in the Segunda División with 600+ minutes this season.
Shooting
Passing
Possession
Defending
Yellow/red cards
Transfer news
No transfer news found for this player.
