Gaizka Mendieta Captaincy

Lore & Background

Albelda started his career as a central defender with local UD Alzira and, after having served two separate loans with Villarreal CF, returned for good to first professional club Valencia CF in the 1999–2000 season. He played mainly for Valencia during his 18-year senior career, being team captain for over a decade and appearing in 480 competitive matches. With his main club, he won five trophies including two La Liga championships and the 2004 UEFA Cup. A Spain international in the 2000s, Albelda won 51 caps for the country, representing it in two World Cups and at Euro 2004.

Reader's Guide

Albelda was axed from the Valencia squad on 20 December 2007 by recently arrived coach Ronald Koeman, along with teammates Santiago Cañizares and Miguel Ángel Angulo. In late April 2008, with Koeman's dismissal, all three were reinstated by new manager Voro. He returned to action in the second half of the 6–0 away loss against FC Barcelona on 4 May. For 2008–09, Albelda remained a regular fixture alongside longtime central midfield teammate Rubén Baraja. On 10 January 2009 he delivered an outstanding performance at right-back in a 3–3 home derby against Villarreal. Albelda was played intermittently by Valencia from 2010 to 2013, also suffering several injury problems. On 10 June 2013, it was announced that the 35-year-old would not renew his contract with the club, leaving as a free agent; he announced his retirement two months later.

Did You Know?

• Albelda won a silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.
• He represented Spain at the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship.
• Albelda married Spanish model and presenter Vicen Fernández in 2007.
• He was appointed manager of Tercera División side Atzeneta UE on 29 May 2019 and led them to their first-ever promotion to Segunda División B on 26 July 2020.
• Albelda returned to Villarreal in December 2023, being put in charge of the C team in the Tercera Federación.