David Albelda Aliqués (; born 1 September 1977) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder. He is the manager of Villarreal B.
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. He later worked as a manager.
Club career Born in La Pobla Llarga, Valencian Community, Albelda started his career as a central defender with local UD Alzira and, after having served two separate loans with Villarreal CF, also in the region, returned for good to first professional club Valencia CF in the 1999–2000 season, playing a major role in a squad that was crowned La Liga champions in 2002 and 2004, adding to that the 2004 UEFA Cup; since summer 2001, with Gaizka Mendieta's departure, he was also awarded team captaincy.
Albelda, along with teammates Santiago Cañizares and Miguel Ángel Angulo was axed from the squad on 20 December 2007 by recently arrived coach Ronald Koeman; in the captain's case, he had ironically just renewed his link with the Che until 2011. In response, on 2 January 2008, Albelda's lawyer claimed that Valencia had ignored his client's plea for an amicable end to the player's contract, with legal recourse the only possible avenue left. With news of this hitting the media, several teams, although he would not be able to join any Spanish team for the remainder of the season, having played more than four league games, studied the possibility of signing him in the winter transfer window, with hopes of a free transfer.
In late April 2008, however, with Koeman's dismissal, all three were reinstated by new manager Voro in a squad seriously threatened with relegation, with five remaining rounds. He returned to action in the second half of the 6–0 away loss against FC Barcelona on 4 May, and received his first post-reinstatement start in a 5–1 victory in the derby away at Levante UD the following week, as the side mathematically retained top-flight status.
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, replacing suspended Miguel 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.
International career A Spanish international since 5 September 2001, in 2–0 away win against Liechtenstein for the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Albelda was part of the Spanish squad in the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups. He also played in UEFA Euro 2004.
After having been ousted from the Valencia squad, Albelda would still be called by national team boss Luis Aragonés to a 6 February 2008 friendly with France. He would eventually not make the final cut for Euro 2008, as Spain emerged victorious.
Albelda also won a silver medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, and represented his nation at the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship.
Coaching career On 29 May 2019, Albelda was appointed manager of Tercera División side Atzeneta UE. He led them to their first-ever promotion to Segunda División B on 26 July 2020, after beating CD Alcoyano in the play-offs.
On 24 May 2021, after being immediately relegated, Albelda left the club. He returned to Villarreal in December 2023, being put in charge of the C team in the Tercera Federación.
On 29 May 2025, Albelda replaced longtime incumbent Miguel Álvarez at the helm of the reserves in Primera Federación.
Personal life Albelda married Spanish model and presenter Vicen Fernández in 2007.
Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueCupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsValencia B1995–96Segunda División B314––51365Valencia1997–98La Liga5000––501999–2000La Liga21010110213512000–01La Liga21000130–3402001–02La Liga3220071–3932002–03La Liga26000110–3702003–04La Liga3313081–4422004–05La Liga2801060303802005–06La Liga3223050–4022006–07La Liga2502070–3402007–08La Liga1500060–2102008–09La Liga3003050204002009–10La Liga2811060–3512010–11La Liga1602040–2202011–12La Liga2107060–3402012–13La Liga1804050–270Total34662701002714809Villarreal (loan)1996–97Segunda División34050––390Villarreal (loan)1998–99La Liga35240–20412Career total44612360100214259616
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsSpain200110200250200360200411020056020061102007100200810Total510
Managerial statistics
+ Managerial record by team and tenureTeamNatFromToRecordAtzeneta29 May 201924 May 2021 Villarreal C20 December 202329 May 2025 Villarreal B29 May 2025PresentTotal—
Honours Valencia La Liga: 2001–02, 2003–04 Supercopa de España: 1999 UEFA Cup: 2003–04 UEFA Super Cup: 2004 UEFA Champions League runner-up: 1999–2000, 2000–01
Spain U23 Summer Olympics silver medal: 2000
References
External links
CiberChe stats and bio