Cani
The midfield maestro who helped Zaragoza to Copa glory and became a Villarreal stalwart.
Cani is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He spent most of his career with Zaragoza and Villarreal, appearing in 327 competitive matches for the latter.
- Position
- Right Midfielder
- Club Tenure
- 2006–2015 (Villarreal)
- Total Appearances
- 327 Competitive Matches
- Nationality
- Spanish
- Status
- Retired
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Cani helped Zaragoza win the Copa del Rey in the 2003–04 season, and was sent off during the final. He signed for Villarreal CF at the end of the 2005–06 season for a fee of €11 million.
In Their Own Story
The 2010–11 season at Villarreal produced one of Cani's most memorable individual nights. On 9 January 2011, he opened the scoring against Real Madrid with a subtle finish inside the box. However, the match took a volatile turn when Cristiano Ronaldo scored his hat-trick to put the score at 3–2 for the hosts. Seething as manager José Mourinho celebrated in front of the bench, Cani threw a water bottle and was immediately sent off. Although he received a one-match suspension, it was lifted early. He returned to net the opener in a 3–3 draw against Sevilla FC in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, followed by a stunning goal from more than 50 meters in a 4–2 home victory over CA Osasuna.
Reader's Guide
Cani is remembered as a technically gifted midfielder known for his passing ability. His time at Villarreal included appearances in La Liga and European competitions, though the source does not specify his exact role or statistics beyond the match count.
Did You Know?
- Cani was sent off in the 2003–04 Copa del Rey final despite helping Zaragoza win the trophy.
- He signed for Villarreal in 2006 for €11 million.
- Cani played 327 competitive matches for Villarreal.
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