Sergio Canales Madrazo

Real Madrid On 12 February 2010, Real Madrid announced the signing of Canales on a six-year deal for a fee believed to be around €4.5 million plus incentives. He made his debut on 4 August, scoring a goal in a 3–2 friendly win over Club América. His first league appearance came on 29 August, in a 0–0 draw against RCD Mallorca.

Canales totalled 518 minutes of action in his only year with the club, which included three appearances in the victorious run in the Copa del Rey.

Valencia On 4 August 2011, Valencia announced Canales would join the club on a two-year loan. After that time, they retained the option of purchasing the player whilst Real Madrid had the possibility of recalling him during that timeframe.

Canales scored his first goal for his new side on 1 October, the game's only in a home fixture against Granada CF. Late into the month, he had to be stretchered off during a league home match against Athletic Bilbao and, the following day, he was diagnosed with a torn cruciate ligament, being sidelined for six months.

On 26 April 2012, in only his fifth appearance since returning, against Atlético Madrid in the Europa League semi-finals' second leg, Canales relapsed from his injury early into the second half of an eventual 0–1 home loss (5–2 aggregate defeat), going on to miss a further six months of action.

On 19 July 2012, Canales moved permanently to Valencia for €7.5 million and five years, alongside Madrid teammate Fernando Gago. The latter also reserved an option to buy back the player during the next two seasons.

Real Sociedad Canales was deemed surplus to requirements after the arrival of new Valencia coach Juan Antonio Pizzi, in December 2013. In late January of the following year, he signed for four and a half years and €3.5 million with fellow top-division side Real Sociedad.

Canales scored four goals from 36 appearances in his first full season, as the Txuriurdin finished in 12th position. On 30 December 2015, however, during the first half of a match at former club Real Madrid, he suffered another serious knee injury, now in the left leg.

On 24 May 2018, Real Sociedad confirmed that Canales would be leaving the Anoeta Stadium on 30 June.

Betis On 3 July 2018, free agent Canales signed a four-year contract with Real Betis. In the 2020–21 campaign, he scored a career-best eight goals.

Monterrey Canales moved abroad for the first time in July 2023, with the 32-year-old agreeing to a three-year deal at Liga MX club C.F. Monterrey. On 3 September, he scored twice in the 2–1 away win over C.D. Guadalajara.

Canales left in April 2026 after his contract expired.

Return to Racing On 22 June 2026, Canales returned to his first club Racing, recently returned to the top tier, 16 years after leaving.

International career In 2008, Canales helped Spain's under-17 team win the UEFA European Championship in Turkey. At age 19 he made his under-21 debut, scoring twice in his first two games.

Subsequently, Canales was named in the squad for the 2009 European Under-19 Championship. The following year, in the same category, he represented the nation at the European Championships, reaching the final and scoring one goal in the semi-finals, a 3–1 win over England.

Canales was selected to the 2011 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia, playing four out of five games for the national team (three starts) in an eventual penalty shootout quarter-final exit. He featured regularly in the 2013 European Championship Under-21 qualification where he netted three times, including a brace against Georgia; despite missing the playoff game with Denmark he was named in the squad for the finals in Israel, but withdrew from the tournament after picking an injury in the first group match against Russia – Spain went on to win the trophy.

On 15 March 2019, Canales was called up by full side manager Luis Enrique for two UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying matches against Norway and Malta. He made his debut eight days later, as a 74th-minute substitute for Dani Ceballos in the 2–1 victory over the former in Valencia.

Canales scored his first goal on 11 November 2020, opening the 1–1 friendly draw with the Netherlands in Amsterdam.

Personal life Canales' second cousin, Borja Docal, was also a footballer.

Career statistics Club

International

Spain score listed first, score column indicates score after each Canales goal.

Spain U17 UEFA European Under-17 Championship: 2008

Spain U21 UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2013

Individual UEFA La Liga Team of The Season: 2018–19 La Liga Team of the Season: 2021–22 Liga MX Best XI: Apertura 2024, Apertura 2025 Liga MX All-Star: 2024, 2025