Villarreal, a club from a small industrial town in eastern Spain with a population of just 50,000, continues to defy expectations in La Liga and European football. Despite their modest catchment area—comparable to the size of Yeovil in the UK—the club’s academy has produced some of football’s brightest stars, including Rodri, Nicolas Jackson, Pau Torres, and current Spain international Alex Baena.
Since their debut season in La Liga in 1998-99, Villarreal has become known for overachieving. The club has qualified for European competitions 19 times, reached the Champions League semifinals on three occasions (2006, 2016, and 2022), and triumphed in the 2021 Europa League final, defeating Manchester United. This season, despite missing out on European football, Villarreal is again exceeding expectations, currently sitting fifth in La Liga and competing with Athletic Bilbao for the best of the rest spot behind Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid, and Barcelona.
Villarreal’s success rooted itself in a collective, family-like ethos, a philosophy that club CEO Fernando Roig emphasized when speaking to BBC Sport.
“We have not hired Ted Lasso to make a big change,” Roig said, dismissing the idea of a single person being responsible for the club’s achievements.
A Strong Foundation: Villarreal’s Youth Academy
Much like the fictional AFC Richmond in the popular series Ted Lasso, Villarreal thrives on unity and a shared sense of purpose, despite being a small club competing against financial giants. The club ingrains this togetherness in its culture, with the youth academy playing a pivotal role in its success.
Villarreal’s academy comprises 800 players across 45 teams—39 boys’ teams and 6 girls’ teams. A remarkable 16 members of the squad that won the 2021 Europa League had come through the academy ranks. The club’s main training base, the José Manuel Llaneza training ground, opened in 1998 and serves as the foundation for Villarreal’s footballing operation. Over 100 academy players live on the site, which even includes a mini stadium. Villarreal demonstrates its commitment to youth development by having more football pitches per resident than any other Spanish city.
For players like Baena, who joined Villarreal’s academy at the age of 10 and is now a key member of the first team, the sense of belonging is clear.
“I think when you live at this club, the first thing you feel is it’s like your second family,” Baena said. “Even though it is a small town, we have better facilities here than other clubs.”
Baena’s rise is the latest success story from Villarreal’s academy. The 23-year-old winger has already earned international honors, playing for Spain in their Euro 2024 and Olympic Gold medal victories. This season, he ranks just behind Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal in assists in La Liga.
Rodri: Villarreal’s Proud Graduate
Villarreal’s commitment to youth development is also evident in their relationship with Manchester City midfielder Rodri. Roig recalls the pivotal role the club played in shaping Rodri’s career, especially after he joined the academy at the age of 16, following a challenging spell at Atlético Madrid.
“We are part of his development,” Roig said. “He came when he was 16. He hadn’t played the year before at Atlético Madrid.”
Rodri’s time at Villarreal proved instrumental in his career, as he moved to Atlético Madrid in 2018 and then to Manchester City for £62 million the following year. Since then, Rodri has become one of the world’s top midfielders, playing a crucial role in City’s 2023 Champions League final win and Spain’s Euro 2024 triumph. In October 2024, he was awarded the Ballon d’Or, cementing his status as one of the best players in the world.
For Villarreal, Rodri’s achievements are a testament to their developmental approach—a small club from a small town that has produced a Ballon d’Or winner.
The Villarreal Formula: Unity, Development, and Belief
Villarreal’s ability to compete at the highest level, despite their small size, can be attributed to their strong sense of community, a deep commitment to youth development, and an unwavering belief in their collective potential. In a world dominated by financial powerhouses, Villarreal continues to prove that, with the right foundations and values, a small club can achieve great things.
