Juanfran García talks about his time at Valencia CF: winner of the 1998 Intertoto and the 1999 Cup

Valencia CF will play next Friday, November 21st at 9:00 p.m., at Mestalla, the Matchday 13 fixture of LALIGA EA SPORTS 25–26 against Levante UD.

Photos: Paco Martí

One of the players who wore both shirts was Juanfran García, and the former Valencian footballer has been on l’Informatiu of VCF Media Radio to talk about the derby and his career as a Valencia CF player.

“I see a very even derby that will be very intense, emotional, and important for the future. It’s a match that should always be in the top division. There are no tickets left and Camp de Mestalla will be full. The atmosphere will be incredible; the Valencia fans will support their team until the final whistle. Mestalla will be a key factor. Corberán is a magnificent coach,” Juanfran says.

The defender joined the Valencian club in the summer of 1997 after his spell at Levante UD. In his first season as a Valencia CF player, he played 34 matches (21 as a starter) and provided one assist. In the following campaign, he played 36 games (24 in the starting eleven) and the team won the Cup and the Intertoto.

After those two years, Juanfran signed for RC Celta de Vigo (where he scored the first goal in the club’s history in the Champions League) and later played for Beşiktaş, Ajax, Real Zaragoza, and AEK Athens. In 2009 he returned to Levante UD, where he became one of the most important players in the ‘granota’ side until 2016 (he was also the first European goalscorer in Levante’s history). With the Spanish national team, he played in the 2002 Korea–Japan World Cup.

After hanging up his boots, he began a new chapter as the coach of CD Lugo (2020) and SD Ponferradina (2023 and 2024).