History of Villareal CF

Villarreal Club de Fútbol, SAD were founded in 1923 as Club Deportivo Villarreal. Hovering in lower-level leagues for majority of their history, they did not play at La Liga until 1998. Since then, they have only been relegated twice, getting promoted immediately the season after. As of the 2021-22 season, they have been in the top tier for 22 seasons. 

Despite not having claimed a major domestic championship, El Submarino Amarillo have won the UEFA Europa League after beating Manchester United, 11-10 in penalties, after the two finished regulation and extra time of the 2021 final tied at 1-1. 

Villarreal CF have a rivalry with Valencia called Derbi de la Comunitat. 

Mario Gaspar and Manu Trigueros are two active players who have played the most matches for Villareal. Gerard Moreno most recently surpassed Giuseppe Rossi as the club’s all-time scoring leader. Others who wore the yellow and blue include Diego Forlan, Santi Cazorla, Juan Román Riquelme, and Nilmar.