Villarreal
Villarreal Club de Fútbol is a Spanish professional football club founded in 1923 and based in Villarreal, in the Castellón province of eastern Spain. The club plays in La Liga, the top flight of Spanish football, at their home stadium Estadio de la Cerámica. After spending much of their history in lower divisions, Villarreal reached La Liga in 1998 and has established itself as a competitive force in the 21st century. Their most notable achievement came in 2021 when they won the UEFA Europa League, defeating Manchester United in the final to claim their first major trophy. The club has also reached the Champions League semi-finals twice, in 2006 and 2022.
History
Overview
General information about the club
Villarreal CF is a Spanish professional football club that competes in La Liga, Spain's premier football division. Based in the town of Villarreal in the Castellón province of eastern Spain, the club is known by the nickname "El Submarino Amarillo" (Yellow Submarine) due to their distinctive yellow home kit. The team plays their home matches at the Estadio de la Cerámica and has been recognized as an example of a small but successful club that has achieved remarkable success despite being a low-profile team compared to traditional Spanish giants like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, and regional rivals Valencia.
Most recent season and achievements
In recent seasons, Villarreal has maintained their position as a competitive force in both domestic and European competitions. The club's crowning achievement came in the 2020-21 season when they won the UEFA Europa League, their first major trophy, by defeating Manchester United 11-10 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw. This victory qualified them for the 2021-22 Champions League, where they reached the semi-finals after impressive victories over Juventus and Bayern Munich, before losing to Liverpool 5-2 on aggregate.
History
Early years
Club Deportivo Villarreal was founded on 10 March 1923 with the mission "to promote all sports especially Football." The club's humble beginnings saw them rent their stadium for 60 pesetas a month, with ticket prices set at half a peseta for men and a quarter peseta for children, while women were granted free admission. The club played their first-ever match on 21 October 1923 against Castellón, who would become their modern rivals. Villarreal initially wore white shirts and black shorts, which was reflected in their first badge design.
Successful period
From 1998 onwards, Villarreal began their most successful period in club history. After gaining promotion to La Liga in 1998, the club gradually established itself as a competitive force. A significant breakthrough came in 2005 when they finished third in La Liga, earning their first direct qualification to the Champions League. Diego Forlán won the Pichichi Trophy that season with 25 goals. The club's European debut was spectacular, reaching the Champions League semi-finals in 2006 after defeating Everton, Rangers, and Internazionale, before losing to Arsenal. Their best league finish came in 2008 when they finished second to Real Madrid.
Crisis and recovery
Villarreal faced their biggest crisis in 2012 when they were relegated from La Liga after a defeat to Atlético Madrid. The situation was compounded by tragedy when newly appointed manager Manolo Preciado died of a heart attack on the same day he was hired. Following relegation, the club experienced a mass exodus of star players including Borja Valero, Diego López, Giuseppe Rossi, and Nilmar. However, the club showed remarkable resilience, spending just one season in the Segunda División before earning promotion back to La Liga by finishing second behind champions Elche.
Current period
Since returning to La Liga in 2013, Villarreal has re-established itself as a consistent top-flight club. The club has regularly qualified for European competitions, finishing in European qualifying positions multiple times. The pinnacle of this period came with their 2021 Europa League triumph, followed by reaching the Champions League semi-finals in 2022. The club has also competed in the UEFA Super Cup, losing to Chelsea 6-5 on penalties in 2021 after a 1-1 draw.
Achievements and Honors
Domestic competitions
In domestic competitions, Villarreal's most notable achievement was finishing as La Liga runners-up in the 2007-08 season. The club has also won the Tercera División in 1969-70 and has competed across multiple divisions throughout their history, including 26 seasons in La Liga, 10 seasons in Segunda División, 4 seasons in Segunda División B, and 23 seasons in Tercera División.
Continental and global competitions
Villarreal's European success includes winning the UEFA Europa League in 2020-21, marking their first major trophy. The club has also won the UEFA Intertoto Cup twice, in 2003 and 2004. Their Champions League campaigns have produced two semi-final appearances in 2006 and 2022, demonstrating their ability to compete at the highest level of European football.
Symbols and Colors
Current logo and logo history
Villarreal has undergone several badge changes throughout its history. The club started with a badge reflecting their original white shirts and black shorts combination. In June 1954, they adopted a badge similar to the present one when the club was renamed to Villarreal CF. The club adopted their current badge in the middle of 1966, which has remained largely unchanged since then.
Traditional home and away kits colors
The club's famous yellow kit has an interesting origin story dating back to 1947. When the son of the then-president traveled to Valencia to purchase the club's official white shirts and black shorts, he discovered the shop was out of stock. Instead, he bought the only available color - yellow shirts. The players approved of the yellow shirts but weren't keen on black shorts, so blue shorts were purchased and dyed. This yellow and blue combination lasted until the 2002-03 season, after which the club adopted all-yellow home kits. The away colors have traditionally been navy blue.
Traditional Rivals
Castellón
Villarreal maintains a long-standing rivalry with Castellón for geographical reasons, as both clubs are from the province of Castellón. This rivalry is so intense that players have even been threatened for transferring from one club to the other, highlighting the passionate nature of this local derby.
Valencia
The club also rivals Valencia, as the two teams have been the most competitive clubs from the Valencian Community. This clash is known as the "Derbi de la Comunitat" and the rivalry has intensified since Villarreal established themselves as serious competitors, with the Yellow Submarine often claiming the role of favorites in encounters between the two clubs.
Club Traditions and Behind the Scenes
Sponsors
Villarreal's shirt sponsorship history includes "Aeroport Castello," an airport, which sponsored the club from 2005 to 30 June 2011. The current shirt sponsor is Pamesa, a ceramics company, reflecting the local industry of the region.
Nicknames
The team is nicknamed "El Submarino Amarillo" (the Yellow Submarine) because of their distinctive yellow strip. This nickname has become synonymous with the club's identity. The club's mascot, named Groguet ("Little Yellow"), is characterized as an anthropomorphic submarine. Groguet made his debut on 26 October 2001 and was named on 13 December that year by local 12-year-old Javier Fuster Almela, following a province-wide competition open to under-15s.
Stadium
Villarreal plays their home games at the Estadio de la Cerámica, which serves as the fortress for the Yellow Submarine. The stadium has witnessed many memorable moments in the club's history, including European nights and crucial domestic matches that have shaped the club's trajectory.
Villarreal
Club Information
Official Name
Villarreal
Short Name
VIL
Founding Year
1923
Tactical Formation
4-3-3
Market Value
€218.60m
Stadium Information
Stadium Name
Estadio de la Cerámica
Capacity
23.500
Address
Plaza Labrador
City
Villarreal, Tây Ban Nha
Surface
grass
Key Personnel
Captain
Raúl Albiol Tortajada
Captain's Stats
190cm, 82kg
Head Coach
Marcelino García Toral
Head Coach Age
60 Age
Coach Nationality
ES
Coach Contract
13/11/2023 - 30/06/2026
Recent Honours
| Season | Competition | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2022 | Siêu Cúp Châu Âu | 🏆 2 |
| 2020-2021 | Europa League | 🏆 1 |
| 2012-2013 | Hạng Hai Tây Ban Nha | 🏆 2 |
| 2007-2008 | VĐQG Tây Ban Nha | 🏆 2 |
Current Season Stats
| Competition | Rank | Matches | W-D-L | Points |
|---|
Goal Statistics
Champions League (UEFA)
5 Scored - 18 Conceded
La Liga (ESP)
72 Scored - 46 Conceded
Copa Del Rey (SPA)
6 Scored - 0 Conceded
Copa Del Rey (SPA)
6 Scored - 0 Conceded
La Liga (ESP)
71 Scored - 51 Conceded