Valencia CF will play their 1,500th LaLiga match at Mestalla against Atlético de Madrid

Valencia CF will play on Saturday, May 2 at 4:15 p.m. the match of matchday 34 of LaLiga EA Sports 2025–26 against Atlético de Madrid. It will be a special match, as the Valencian side will reach 1,500 First Division games at its home ground.

Throughout this historic milestone of matches, Valencia CF have accumulated great moments that have been passed down from generation to generation. Among the unforgettable matches, the following stand out: the first home match played in LaLiga (on November 29, 1931 against Real Unión Club de Irún) and the first goal and hat-trick by Juan Costa.

In the 1940s, Valencia CF were crowned First Division champions after defeating Real Madrid CF by three goals to one. It was a season in which Mundo Suárez was the top scorer in Spanish football.

The Biscayan striker formed part of the legendary “electric forward line” alongside Epi, Amadeo, Asensi, and Gorostiza (1940–41/1945–46). These players led Valencia CF and thrilled fans at Mestalla. During those years, the Valencian side won two league titles (1941–42 and 1943–44).

In the 1970s, Forment scored a decisive goal against RC Celta de Vigo to secure the 1971 league title. Later, in the 1980s, Tendillo scored against Real Madrid CF in a goal that saved the team from relegation. In the 1990s, goals by Roberto and Fernando against Real Madrid CF are also fondly remembered.

In the 2000s, on April 27, 2002, Rubén Baraja scored two crucial goals against RCD Espanyol that secured victory for the team and virtually sealed the league title. In 2015, the comeback against Real Madrid CF (2–1, with goals from Barragán and Nicolás Otamendi) is also remembered.

Finally, in 2020, a match that will always remain in our hearts is the one against Real Betis following the catastrophic 2020 Valencia DANA floods that devastated many municipalities in the Valencian Community. The emotion, feeling, and pain over what had happened were deeply palpable. The team won 4–2 against the Andalusian side.

Mestalla is the stadium with the most First Division matches played (1,503), also including the matches in which CD Castellón (3) and Villarreal CF (1) have played as home teams.