This blogger Artur Yanturin of Russia copied many of my blog teams. This blog was one of them. It was my Russia All-Time Team here. His team was written in 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2014. His Spartak Moscow All-Time team entry of was published in October 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2017. His entry of the Dutch-German rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona was written in 2020, but mine was uploaded in 2014. He also copied many many of my blog entries.
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| Europa League Champion 2020-21 |
Please also see my All-Time World Cup Team Index.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia,
Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Atletic Bilbao,
Deportivo La Coruna Real Sociedad,
Real Betis, Real Zaragoza, Espanyol
Valencian Community
This is my selection of a 25 member all-time team for Villarreal. The number 25 was chosen because it is the official squad size for the Champions' League.
Villarreal is just a small town of just 50,000 inhabitants. Their home stadium El Madrigal has a capacity of 25,000. The club is nicknamed El Submarí Groguet or El Submarino Amarillo (Yellow Submarine) due to its yellow home kit, and due to being a low-profile team compared to Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, and regional rivals Valencia, whom they have challenged for trophies over the last decade. Villarreal has often been touted as an example of a small but successful club. Villarreal won the 2020-2021 Europa League. They became the smallest team ever to win a major trophy in Europe.
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| Villarreal 2007-2008 La Liga Runner-up |
GK: Diego Lopez (Spain)
Lopez started from Real Madrid, but made his name first with Villareal and Sevilla. In January, 2013, he rejoined Real Madrid after Iker Casillas suffered a serious injury. He quickly established as the starter. He maintained his starting status the following year, despite the return of Casillas. He won Copa Del Rey that season as the starter while backing up Casillas in the Champions' League as Real Madrid won it. Capped once in 2009.
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| Diego Lopez |
GK: Pepe Reina (Spain)
Reina first became a star at Villarreal when he helped the club to reach the Champions' league for the first time in history. A year later, he joined Liverpool FC. At Liverpool FC, he won three Premier League Golden Glove. He was a part of Spain at World Cup 2010, Euro 2008 and Euro 2012, but served as a backup to Iker Casillas.
GK: Sergio Asenjo (Spain)
Sergio Asenjo began with Valladolid, where he made 49 senior appearances. He then moved to Atlético Madrid in 2009 and spent five seasons with the club. From 2014 to now, he played for Villarreal. He earned one cap for Spain. He was the first footballer from Palencia to win a cap since Jesús Landáburu 36 years prior
RB: Javi Venta (Spain)
Javi Venta started with Real Oviedo B in 1995. He amassed La Liga totals of 270 matches during 11 seasons. He played with Villarreal between 1999 and 2010, and a second spell in the 2012-2013 season. He also appeared in the competition with Gimnástica de Torrelavega, Racing de Ferrol, Tenerife and Levante, and had a brief abroad spell in England with Brentford.
RB: Mario Gaspar (Spain)
Mario played youth football for Villarreal CF., where he made his senior debut in 2009. At the time of writing, Villarreal is his only club. In 2015, he earned his first cap for Spain, scoring his first goal in the match. He also scored another goal on his second match (against England). The goal was nominated for the FIFA Puskás Award. At this moment, he had three caps.
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| Mario Gaspar |
CB: Quique Álvarez (Spain)
Quique Álvarez came from Barcelona's academy, but made his name with Villarreal after playing for UE Lleida. He played for them between 2000 and 2007, where he was team captain at one point. In July 2007, Álvarez joined Recreativo de Huelva, but he suffered two injury-riddled seasons over there. He represented Spain at the youth level only.
Quique Álvarez came from Barcelona's academy, but made his name with Villarreal after playing for UE Lleida. He played for them between 2000 and 2007, where he was team captain at one point. In July 2007, Álvarez joined Recreativo de Huelva, but he suffered two injury-riddled seasons over there. He represented Spain at the youth level only.
CB: Raúl Albiol (Spain)
Albiol started with Valencia CF in 2004. He joined Real Madrid in 2009, where he played until 2013. From 2013 to 2019, he played for Napoli in Italy. Then, he joined Villarreal, where he helped them to win Europa League in 2021. From 2007 onward, he earned 56 caps for Spain. He was a part of Spain's triple crown(Euro 2008 and 2012 and World Cup 2010), but he was an unused player in 2010 and 2012. He also went to the 2014 World Cup Finals.
CB: Mateo Musacchio (Argentina)
Mateo Musacchio started with River Plate. In 2009, he moved to Villarreal. He played for them until 2017, when he joined AC Milan. In 2011, he earned his cap for Argentina. At the time of writing, he had 6 caps in total. He was asked to represent Albanian because of his Albanian origins, but he turned it down.
CB: Gonzalo Rodríguez (Argentina)
After starting out at San Lorenzo in 2002, he spent most of his career with Villarreal, appearing in 253 official games over the course of eight La Liga seasons (nine goals). He also played five years in the Italian Serie A, with Fiorentina. He served as their captain in the 2015-2016 season. He rejoined San Lorenzo in 2017. For Argentina, he earned 7 caps.
LB: Joan Capdevila (Spain)
At the club level, Joan Capedevila started his career with Espanyol in 1998. He later played for Atletico Madrid, Deportivo la Coruna, Villarreal and Benfica. The peak of his career was with Deportivo la Coruna and Villarreal. He was capped 60 times for Spain, in a period where Spain won the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 European Championship. He was their disputed starting leftback in that era.
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| Joan Capdevila |
"El Vasco" Arruabarrena (The Basque) debuted professionally in 1993 with Boca Juniors, where he played until 2000. He won the Copa Libertadores 2000 with them. From 2000 to 2007, he played for Villarreal. His goals in the 2005–2006 Champions League helped to eliminate Rangers FC and Inter Milan to reach the semi-finals. Then, he played for AEK Athens and Club Atlético Tigre. From 1995 to 2006, he played 6 times for Argentina.
DM: Josico (Spain)
Josico made his debut with Albacete Balompié in 1995. Josico went on to represent UD Las Palmas for four seasons, joining Villarreal CF in 2002, where he was a key player. He was at one point their captain. He joined Fenerbahçe S.K. in 2008, but after a season, he rejoined Las Palmas at the same time of a former teammate, Antonio Guayre.
DM: Marcos Senna (Spain)
Before 2002, Marcos Senna played for various clubs in Brazil. In 2002, he joined Villarreal in La Liga. He stayed there until 2013. He helped the club to reach the semifinal of the Champions' League in 2006. He became a Spanish citizen in 2006. He went to the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany. He also helped Spain to win the European Championship in 2008 as a starting defensive midfielder.
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| Marcos Senna and Bruno |
Soriano was a product of Villarreal CF's youth system. He made his debut for the first team in 2006. At the time of writing, he remained with the club. He was known as the club;'s unsung hero throughout the years. He even followed the club to Segunda Divsion. For Spain, he earned 10 caps. He made his national team debut in 2010. He made it to the European Championship in 2016, his first major international tournaments.
CM: Roberto
Roberto started playing professionally with CD Castellón in 1979, after emerging through the ranks of Villarreal CF. From 1981 to 1986, he played for Valencia. Then, he played for Barcelona from 1986 to 1990. He won the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. From 1995 to 1999, he played for Villarreal, where he helped them to grain promotion. For Spain, he earned 29 caps, and was included in the squad for the Euro 1984 and the 1990 World Cup Finals.
RM/CM: Cani (Spain)
Cani started with his hometown team Real Zaragoza in 2002. He won the 2004 Copa Del Rey and Supercopa de España with them and . From 2006 to 2015, he played for Villarreal. In 2015, he moved to Deportivo La Coruna. After a season, he returned to Zaragoza. He also played on loan with Atletico Madrid. He was called up by Spain manager Luis Aragonés, but never earned a cap.
RW: Antonio Guayre (Spain)
After emerging through hometown UD Las Palmas's academy he made his La Liga debut in 2000. The following season, he joined Villarreal, where he was a key player until 2006. Then, he played for Celta and CD Numancia before returning to Las Palmas. Guayre won his sole cap for Spain on 9 February 2005 against San Marino.
LW: Robert Pires (France)
Pirès earned 79 caps between 1996 and 2004, winning both the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. He started his career with Metz and then, joined Mariselle. He became famous while playing for Arsène Wenger's Arsenal. He was the FWA Player of the Year for the 2001–02 season. In 2008, Arsenal fans voted Pirès as the club's sixth greatest player of all time. He later played for Villarreal and Aston Villa.
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| Robert Pires |
Santi started with Villarreal, where he had two spells with 7 seasons in total. He also played for Recreativo de Huelva and Malaga. Between 2012 and 2018, he played for Arsenal. He was Spanish Player of the Year in the 2006–07 season. He played 81 times for Spain. He was a semi-regular participant in the nation's triumphs at UEFA Euro 2008 and Euro 2012, as well as featuring at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
AM/CM: Juan Roman Riquelme (Argentina)
Juan Roman Riquelme was the best Argentine player of his generation. He spent most of his career with Boca Juniors, but also had a significant spell in Spain with Villarreal. He was a club legend with Boca Juniors. He won 4 Copa Libertadores and a single Intercontionental Cup. With Villarreal, he reached the semifinal of the Champions' League in 2005. For Argentina, he was only capped 51 times, largely because of his row with manager Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi.
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| Juan Roman Riquelme |
Born in France of Conglese background, Cédric Bakambu represented that country up to under-20 level. In 2015, he switched to play for the Democratic Republic of the Congo and made his senior debut for the national team. For his club career, he started with Sochaux. Later, he played with Bursaspor, Villarreal and Beijing Guoan. He was named UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season: 2015–16 while playing for Villarreal.
FW: Giuseppe Rossi (Italy)
When Rossi was 17, he was signed by Manchester United. He had loan spells with Newcastle United and Parma before joining Villarreal in 2007. After five-and-a-half years with Villarreal, he returned to Italy, signing for Fiorentina in 2013. In 2016, he was sent on loan to Spanish club Levante, while he spent the following season on loan with Celta. Born in the US, Rossi chose to represent Italy. he made his debut for Azzuri in 2008, but injuries through his career limited him to 30 caps.
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| Giuseppe Rossi |
In Romania, he was remembered for his career with FC Universitatea Craiova. From 1995 to 1998, he played for Real Sociedad. Then, he joined Villarreal, where he helped them to regain promotion to La Liga. He later played 4 seasons with Getafe. For Romania, he earned 25 caps. He played in the 1998 World Cup Finals.
ST: Gerard Moreno (Spain)
Moreno started his career with Villarreal CF in 2012, where he played untol 2015. In between, he spent a season on loan with Mallorca. Between 2015 and 2018, he played with Espanyol. In 2018, he returned to Villarreal. With them, he won the Zarra trophy twice. He scored 7 times in their victorious run in the UEFA Europa League in 2021. At the time of writing, he was capped 3 times.
ST: Diego Forlan (Uruguay)
Diego Forlan's career in Europe started slowly, but his career finally took off after heading to Spain in 2004. He was two-time European Golden Shoe winner in 2004-2005 and then, 2008-2009. His best years were with Villarreal and Atletico Madrid, winning the UEFA Europa League with the latter. At the international level, he had 112 caps, leading Uruguay to the 2011 Copa America title as well the semi-final of the 2010 World Cup Finals. He won the Golden Ball at South Africa 2010.
Diego Forlan's career in Europe started slowly, but his career finally took off after heading to Spain in 2004. He was two-time European Golden Shoe winner in 2004-2005 and then, 2008-2009. His best years were with Villarreal and Atletico Madrid, winning the UEFA Europa League with the latter. At the international level, he had 112 caps, leading Uruguay to the 2011 Copa America title as well the semi-final of the 2010 World Cup Finals. He won the Golden Ball at South Africa 2010.
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| Diego Forlan |
Honorable Mention
José Mari (Spain), Victor Fernández (Spain), Nihat Kahveci (Turkey), Eric Bailly (Ivory Coast), Samu Castillejo (Spain), Juliano Belletti (Brazil), Sebastián Eguren, Nilmar (Brazil), Joseba Llorente (Spain), Fabricio Coloccini (Argentina), Sonny Anderson (Brazil), Sebastian Battaglia (Argentina), Pascual Donat (Spain), Pascal Cygan (France), Mati Fernández (Argentina), Juan Manuel Pena (Bolivia), Juan Pablo Sorín (Argentina), Manu Trigueros (Spain), Paco Alcácer (Spain), Raul Albiol (Spain).
Squad Explanation
-- The rise of Villarreal started not so long ago. They did not reach Spain’s Segunda División until 1970. In 1997, businessman Fernando Roig took over the club. He took them from the Segunda División to La Liga in the 1998/99 season. They did not qualify for Europe until the 2003/04 season. So I am covering a short period of time. Parma also has a short history.
-- Fernando Roig took a lot of well-known players who failed at their previous clubs, and Villarreal turned their careers around. Diego Forlan came from Manchester United as a flop, but he certainly became an all-time great after he left England. The same applied to Juan Riquelme and Juan Pablo Sorin.
-- This team was updated immediately after Villarreal won the 2020-2021 Europa League. They became the smallest team ever to win a major trophy in Europe. Sergio Asenjo and Mario Gaspar were already on this team. Goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo did not play in the Europa campaign. He only played in La Liga that season. Unai Emery fielded Argentine Gerónimo Rulli for Europa League, who ended up scoring the winning penalty. I selected Gerard Moreno and Raul Albiol to the team. Moreno scored 7 goals in their victorious run. His strike partner Paco Alcácer also did well, but only made honorable mention. Raul Albiol was on the Europa League Team of the Season.
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| Gerard Moreno scored a goal in the Europa League Final |
-- Villarreal reached the semifinal of the 2005-2006 Champions' League Final. Marcos Senna, Juan Palbo Sorin, Diego Forlan, Juan Roman Riquelme, Rodolfo Arruabarrena, Quique Álvarez and Josico played in the two legs against Arsenal. They made this all-time team.
-- Diego Lopez and Pepe Reina were the obvious choices for goalkeeprs. I took Sergio Asenjo as the third goalkeeper because he had more appearance than the other keepers in the pool. Other goalkeepers considered included Sebastián Viera and Javier López Vallejo. Gerónimo Rulli was the hero of the team that won the Europa League. He scored the winning penalty. But apart of the Europa League run, he was a backup.
-- Rightback Mario Gaspar came from their academy. Javi Venta is a long time player here. They edged out Juliano Belletti (Brazil). Pascual Donat played with Villarreal when the club was in the lower division before Fernando Roig took over. He helped the club to reach La Liga in the early years. But Mario Gaspar and Javi Venta happened to be long term players as well. So I do not have space for him.
-- For centerbacks, I went with the more famous Diego Godin and then, Quique Álvarez who captained the club. Mateo Musacchio and Gonzalo Rodríguez were great club heros. Eric Bailly is considered, but his stay here was too short.
-- Diego Godin's career here was not as good as the other selected, but I still took him because he was famous, I admitted. He also got his first break in Europe here. However, after their Europa League victory, I replaced him with Raúl Albiol. Raúl Albiol was Villarreal's best defensive player as they won Europa Cup in 2021. He was a more important player to the club than Godin.
-- Borja Valero was a talented midfielder. He was among the best player in La Liga in his first season here, but Villarreal was relegated. His stay was cut short. So I only put him on honorable mention. Instead, I took Roberto Bonillo who came from their youth academy. He later returned to the club at the end of his career when the club was still in the lower division. After Fernando Roig took over the club, he helped the club to gain a first-ever promotion to La Liga.
-- Bruno Soriano (Spain) is their all-time appearance leader. He is their unsung hero. He also came from their academy.
-- Marcos Senna won the Don Balón Award (Spanish Player of the Year) in 2008. He was also Spain's key player at the 2008 European Championship.
-- Juan Roman Riquelme was nominated for the 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year. He also helped Villarreal to reach the semifinal of the Champions' League.
-- Samu Castillejo also made his name here. But I can only put him on honorable mention.
-- Nihat Kahveci was a top player here for the 2007-2008 season when Villarreal finished second in La Liga, but the rest of his stay was full of injuries. He took the club to its highest finish in the league. However, after Villarreal won the Europa league in 2021. I replaced him with Gerard Moreno. Moreno is Villarreal's all-time leading scorer as well as the hero of their Europa League victory.
-- Santi Cazorla was a part of Spain's European Championship team in 2008 and 2012. He missed the 2010 World Cup because of an injury.
-- AS magazine selected Gica Craioveanu as one of the top 10 player ever for the club. I took their advice.
-- Cédric Bakambu had a great performance during the UEFA Europa League in the 2015–16 season.
-- Giuseppe Rossi is their all-time leading scorer. I did not know that until I started my research.
-- Diego Forlán regained his form over here after leaving Manchester United where he was known as a bust. He won the 2004–05 Pichichi Trophy with 25 goals. He also shared the 2005 European Golden Boot with Arsenal striker Thierry Henry.
-- I have one spot left. Juan Pablo Sorín and Pascual Donat deserved it, but I am already loaded with fullbacks. So I took Antonio Guayre who is a right winger. The team does not have a right winger.
Formation
-- Diego Lopez and Pepe Reina were the obvious choices for goalkeeprs. I took Sergio Asenjo as the third goalkeeper because he had more appearance than the other keepers in the pool. Other goalkeepers considered included Sebastián Viera and Javier López Vallejo. Gerónimo Rulli was the hero of the team that won the Europa League. He scored the winning penalty. But apart of the Europa League run, he was a backup.
-- Rightback Mario Gaspar came from their academy. Javi Venta is a long time player here. They edged out Juliano Belletti (Brazil). Pascual Donat played with Villarreal when the club was in the lower division before Fernando Roig took over. He helped the club to reach La Liga in the early years. But Mario Gaspar and Javi Venta happened to be long term players as well. So I do not have space for him.
-- For centerbacks, I went with the more famous Diego Godin and then, Quique Álvarez who captained the club. Mateo Musacchio and Gonzalo Rodríguez were great club heros. Eric Bailly is considered, but his stay here was too short.
-- Diego Godin's career here was not as good as the other selected, but I still took him because he was famous, I admitted. He also got his first break in Europe here. However, after their Europa League victory, I replaced him with Raúl Albiol. Raúl Albiol was Villarreal's best defensive player as they won Europa Cup in 2021. He was a more important player to the club than Godin.
-- On leftback, Joan Capdevila and Juan Pablo Sorín are household names, but Rodolfo Arruabarrena is one of Villarreal's longest serving player. I took him over Juan Pablo Sorín.
-- Joan Capdevilla was the only starting player in the 2010 World Cup Final who was not a member of Real Madrid or Barcelona. From most of the all-time list for Spain, Capdevilla was seldom mentioned. He might be underrated because he did not play for the Big Two.-- Borja Valero was a talented midfielder. He was among the best player in La Liga in his first season here, but Villarreal was relegated. His stay was cut short. So I only put him on honorable mention. Instead, I took Roberto Bonillo who came from their youth academy. He later returned to the club at the end of his career when the club was still in the lower division. After Fernando Roig took over the club, he helped the club to gain a first-ever promotion to La Liga.
-- Bruno Soriano (Spain) is their all-time appearance leader. He is their unsung hero. He also came from their academy.
-- Marcos Senna won the Don Balón Award (Spanish Player of the Year) in 2008. He was also Spain's key player at the 2008 European Championship.
-- Juan Roman Riquelme was nominated for the 2005 FIFA World Player of the Year. He also helped Villarreal to reach the semifinal of the Champions' League.
-- Samu Castillejo also made his name here. But I can only put him on honorable mention.
-- Nihat Kahveci was a top player here for the 2007-2008 season when Villarreal finished second in La Liga, but the rest of his stay was full of injuries. He took the club to its highest finish in the league. However, after Villarreal won the Europa league in 2021. I replaced him with Gerard Moreno. Moreno is Villarreal's all-time leading scorer as well as the hero of their Europa League victory.
-- Santi Cazorla was a part of Spain's European Championship team in 2008 and 2012. He missed the 2010 World Cup because of an injury.
-- AS magazine selected Gica Craioveanu as one of the top 10 player ever for the club. I took their advice.
-- Cédric Bakambu had a great performance during the UEFA Europa League in the 2015–16 season.
-- Giuseppe Rossi is their all-time leading scorer. I did not know that until I started my research.
-- Diego Forlán regained his form over here after leaving Manchester United where he was known as a bust. He won the 2004–05 Pichichi Trophy with 25 goals. He also shared the 2005 European Golden Boot with Arsenal striker Thierry Henry.
-- I have one spot left. Juan Pablo Sorín and Pascual Donat deserved it, but I am already loaded with fullbacks. So I took Antonio Guayre who is a right winger. The team does not have a right winger.
Formation
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