Gayà: “Being the captain of Valencia CF still moves me”

Valencia CF captain José Luis Gayà gave an interview to European Football Clubs — formerly known as the ECA — focused on how a player's environment and training affect their trajectory as a footballer.

Gayà arrived at the Ciutat Esportiva de Paterna at age 11. The Pedreguer native grew steadily, becoming one of the pillars of VCF Mestalla and making his first-team debut on October 30, 2012, in the Copa del Rey. From that moment on, his growth was exponential and his importance within Valencia CF continued to increase.

“My training at the VCF Academy helped me a lot to develop as a player and as a person. I’m fortunate to still coincide with some of the coaches I had who are still at the Valencia CF Academy, and we remember old moments. They instilled in me the values the Club and sport represent. I always try to show that and put it into practice,” Gayà explains.

It is worth highlighting that the VCF Academy is the third in Spain with the most homegrown players competing in professional football, according to Report No. 518 from the CIES Football Observatory, which analyzes talent-producing clubs around the world.

Today, he is already the eighth player with the most official matches for the Club (388) and the fourth footballer with the most LaLiga appearances (323).

“Being the captain of Valencia CF wasn’t even in my wildest dreams. I looked at Albelda and just thinking about it gives me goosebumps. Being captain is an extra motivation, and I try to contribute everything I can to the team and the Club, to give my best both on and off the pitch,” says the Valencian captain.