Villarreal CF) is a Spanish professional football club based in Villarreal, Castellón, in the eastern region of Spain. Founded on March 10, 1923
Villarreal CF 2024–25 squad list
| # | Player | Team | Position | Date of Birth | Age |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Francisco Bonfiglio | Villarreal | Forward | January 2, 2002 | 23 |
| 1 | Luiz Júnior | Villarreal | Goalkeeper | January 24, 2001 | 24 |
| 2 | Logan Costa | Villarreal | Defender | April 1, 2001 | 24 |
| 3 | Raúl Albiol | Villarreal | Defender | September 4, 1985 | 39 |
| 4 | Eric Bailly | Villarreal | Defender | April 12, 1994 | 31 |
| 5 | Willy Kambwala | Villarreal | Defender | August 25, 2004 | 20 |
| 7 | Gerard Moreno | Villarreal | Forward | April 7, 1992 | 33 |
| 8 | Juan Foyth | Villarreal | Defender | January 12, 1998 | 27 |
| 9 | Tajon Buchanan | Villarreal | Defender, Midfielder, Winger | February 8, 1999 | 26 |
| 10 | Dani Parejo | Villarreal | Midfielder | April 16, 1989 | 36 |
| 11 | Ilias Akhomach | Villarreal | Winger | April 16, 2004 | 21 |
| 13 | Diego Conde | Villarreal | Goalkeeper | October 28, 1998 | 26 |
| 14 | Santi Comesaña | Villarreal | Midfielder | October 5, 1996 | 28 |
| 15 | Thierno Barry | Villarreal | Forward | October 21, 2002 | 22 |
| 16 | Álex Baena | Villarreal | Midfielder, Winger | July 20, 2001 | 23 |
| 17 | Kiko Femenía | Villarreal | Defender | February 2, 1991 | 34 |
| 18 | Pape Gueye | Villarreal | Defender, Midfielder | January 24, 1999 | 26 |
| 19 | Nicolas Pépé | Villarreal | Forward, Winger | May 29, 1995 | 30 |
| 21 | Yéremy Pino | Villarreal | Midfielder, Winger | October 20, 2002 | 22 |
| 22 | Denís Suárez | Villarreal | Midfielder | January 6, 1994 | 31 |
| 22 | Ayoze Pérez | Villarreal | Midfielder, Winger | July 29, 1993 | 31 |
| 23 | Sergi Cardona | Dunkerque | Defender | July 8, 1999 | 25 |
| 24 | Alfonso Pedraza | Villarreal | Defender, Winger | April 9, 1996 | 29 |
| 26 | Pau Navarro | Villarreal | Defender | April 25, 2005 | 20 |
| 31 | Iker Álvarez | Villarreal | Goalkeeper | July 25, 2001 | 23 |
- Leagues
- La Liga
- Seasons
- 2024-25
- Home
- Estadi de la Ceràmica
Villarreal Club de Fútbol (Villarreal CF) is a Spanish professional football club based in Villarreal, Castellón, in the eastern region of Spain. Founded on March 10, 1923, the club has grown from a modest team into a European powerhouse, regularly competing in La Liga and international competitions. Nicknamed “El Submarino Amarillo” (The Yellow Submarine) due to their distinctive yellow kits and relentless playing style, Villarreal has earned global recognition for its success despite coming from a small town with a population of just over 50,000.
Major Achievements
- UEFA Europa League Winners: 2020-21 (Defeated Manchester United in the final)
- La Liga Best Finish: 2nd place (2007-08)
- UEFA Champions League Semi-Finalists: 2005-06, 2021-22
- Copa del Rey Best Finish: Runners-up (2023-24)
- Segunda División Champions: 1997-98, 2012-13
Villarreal’s biggest triumph came in the 2020-21 UEFA Europa League, where they defeated Manchester United in an intense penalty shootout, securing their first major European trophy under Unai Emery.
Home Stadium: Estadio de la Cerámica
Villarreal plays its home matches at the Estadio de la Cerámica, formerly known as El Madrigal. With a capacity of 23,500, it is one of the smaller stadiums in La Liga, yet it provides an electric atmosphere, making it a fortress for the team.
Club Identity & Playing Style
Villarreal is recognized for:
- Tactical discipline and structured play
- Emphasis on ball possession and attacking football
- A strong academy producing top talents
- Punching above their weight against Europe’s biggest clubs
Despite not being a traditional giant in Spanish football, Villarreal has built a competitive squad through smart scouting, strong youth development, and an ambitious footballing philosophy.
Iconic Eras
- Champions League Breakthrough (2005-06): Villarreal, led by Juan Román Riquelme, reached the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, falling narrowly to Arsenal.
- La Liga Runners-up (2007-08): The club finished 2nd in La Liga, their highest-ever finish.
- Europa League Glory (2020-21): Villarreal defeated Manchester United to win their first-ever major trophy.
- Champions League Semi-Finalists (2021-22): Villarreal shocked Bayern Munich to reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
Rivalries
- Valencia CF (Derbi de la Comunitat): The biggest regional rivalry, as both clubs represent the Valencian Community.
- Levante UD: Another local derby, though less intense than the Valencia clash.
- European Battles: Villarreal has developed rivalries with clubs like Arsenal, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich due to their frequent meetings in European competitions.
Legendary Players
- Juan Román Riquelme: The Argentine playmaker was Villarreal’s creative genius during their Champions League breakthrough.
- Giuseppe Rossi: A prolific forward who was Villarreal’s all-time top scorer for several years.
- Santi Cazorla: A technically gifted midfielder who played a crucial role in Villarreal’s rise.
- Marcos Senna: A midfield general and key figure in Villarreal’s 2000s success.
- Gerard Moreno: The hero of the 2020-21 Europa League triumph, consistently Villarreal’s top scorer.
The Future of Villarreal CF
Villarreal CF continues to be one of Spain’s most well-run clubs, balancing financial stability with competitive football. With a strong youth academy, smart recruitment, and ambitious leadership, the Yellow Submarine aims to remain a force in La Liga and European football, challenging for domestic trophies and continental success.
