Raúl Albiol
Raúl Albiol Tortajada (born 4 September 1985) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Serie A club Pisa Sporting Club.[1] Standing at 1.90 metres tall, Albiol began his senior career with Valencia CF in 2003 after progressing through their youth academy and went on to represent prominent clubs including Real Madrid CF, SSC Napoli, and Villarreal CF over two decades.[2] Internationally, he earned 58 caps for the Spain national team between 2007 and 2018, contributing to victories in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championships of 2008 and 2012 without scoring a goal.[3] His career highlights include major domestic and European titles, such as La Liga with Real Madrid in 2012, the UEFA Europa League with Villarreal in 2021, the Coppa Italia (2013–14, 2019–20) and Supercoppa Italiana with Napoli in 2014, and the UEFA Super Cup (2004) with Valencia.[4] Albiol made his professional debut for Valencia in La Liga during the 2003–04 season, initially on loan at Getafe CF where he featured in their run to the quarter-finals of the 2007–08 UEFA Cup.[2] He became a regular starter for Valencia from 2007, featuring in 162 La Liga matches and contributing to the 2004 UEFA Super Cup, the 2003–04 UEFA Cup, and the 2007–08 Copa del Rey.[4] In 2009, at age 23, he transferred to Real Madrid for €15 million, where he played 137 competitive games over four seasons, including winning La Liga in 2011–12 and the Copa del Rey in 2010–11.[5] After leaving Real Madrid in 2013, Albiol signed a four-year deal with Napoli for €11 million, reuniting with manager Rafael Benítez, and spent six successful seasons there, appearing in 252 matches and securing the Coppa Italia in 2013–14 along with the 2014 Supercoppa Italiana.[5] In 2019, he returned to Spain with Villarreal on a free transfer, captaining the side from 2020 and leading them to the 2020–21 UEFA Europa League title after defeating Manchester United in the final. Following the expiration of his Villarreal contract in summer 2025, Albiol, then 39, joined newly promoted Serie A side Pisa on a one-year deal with an option for extension in September 2025, marking his return to Italian football.[6] Albiol's international breakthrough came with Spain's UEFA European Under-21 Championship win in 2006, after which he debuted for the senior team in a 2007 UEFA European Championship qualifier against Denmark.[2] He was part of the squad that claimed Euro 2008, starting in the group stage, and featured prominently in the 2010 World Cup triumph, including the round-of-16 victory over Portugal.[4] During Euro 2012, Albiol played in all matches en route to another title, but his involvement diminished post-2014 due to injuries and competition from other defenders, leading to his international retirement in 2018 after 58 appearances.Club career
Valencia
Raúl Albiol, born on 4 September 1985 in Vilamarxant, Spain, progressed through the Valencia CF youth system after joining the academy at a young age, reaching the club's B team by 2003 at the age of 17.[1] His integration into the senior setup began that year under manager Rafael Benítez, marking the start of his professional development at the club where he honed his skills as a centre-back. Albiol made his senior debut for Valencia on 24 September 2003, at 18 years old, coming on as a substitute in a UEFA Cup first-round match against AIK Solna, which Valencia won 1–0 away.[7] In the 2003–04 season, his opportunities were limited to two appearances across all competitions as he continued to develop, contributing to Valencia's successful La Liga and UEFA Cup double-winning campaign from the bench. Following a brief loan spell to Getafe in the 2004–05 season, which served as an early stepping stone amid recovery from a serious car accident, Albiol returned to Valencia and broke through in the 2005–06 campaign. He scored his first senior goal on 18 December 2005 in a 1–0 La Liga home win over Deportivo Alavés, establishing himself with 36 appearances across competitions that season.[8] By 2006–07, Albiol had become a consistent starter, featuring in 52 matches and scoring four goals, including a long-range strike in a 4–2 Champions League group-stage victory against Olympiacos on 12 September 2006. Albiol played a key role in Valencia's 2006–07 UEFA Champions League run to the quarter-finals, making 10 appearances and delivering strong defensive performances, notably in the round-of-16 ties against Inter Milan where he helped secure progression on away goals after a 2–2 first-leg draw and a 0–0 second leg at Mestalla.[9] He remained a regular centre-back in the subsequent seasons, starting consistently in 2007–08 (45 appearances, 1 goal) and 2008–09 (44 appearances, 2 goals), contributing to domestic successes including the 2007–08 Copa del Rey.[7] Over his initial stint with Valencia from 2003 to 2009, Albiol amassed 179 appearances and 8 goals in all competitions, solidifying his reputation as a reliable defender before his transfer to Real Madrid.[7]Getafe
Albiol joined Getafe CF on a season-long loan from Valencia CF on 2 July 2004, marking his first senior team experience outside his youth club.[10] However, just weeks later, on 2 August 2004, he suffered a severe car accident while en route to Madrid to complete the transfer formalities, resulting in the vehicle rolling over multiple times and requiring emergency surgery and intensive care; remarkably, Albiol recovered sufficiently to join the squad by late 2004.[11][12] Despite the setback, Albiol made his professional debut for Getafe on 15 January 2005 in a 1–1 La Liga draw at home against Atlético Madrid.[13] He went on to feature in 17 La Liga matches that season, starting 15 and logging 1,409 minutes, while contributing defensively to Getafe's mid-table finish of 13th place.[14] His sole goal came on 13 March 2005, opening the scoring in a 2–1 upset victory over Real Madrid, for which he received a yellow card after celebrating by removing his shirt.[15] The loan period proved pivotal for Albiol's development, providing him with consistent first-team exposure at age 19 and establishing him as a composed central defender capable of competing in Spain's top flight.[11] Upon its conclusion on 30 June 2005, he returned to Valencia, having made a total of 19 appearances and scored 1 goal across all competitions during his time with Getafe.[16]Real Madrid
On 1 July 2009, Raúl Albiol transferred from Valencia CF to Real Madrid for a reported fee of €15 million, marking the first signing of a Spanish player by club president Florentino Pérez upon his return.[17] His performances during a successful loan spell at Getafe CF from 2004 to 2005 had drawn the attention of Real Madrid's scouts, highlighting his potential as a reliable central defender.[18] Albiol made his La Liga debut for Real Madrid on 29 August 2009, starting in a 3–2 home victory against Deportivo de La Coruña at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.[19] He quickly established himself as a key figure in the defense during the 2009–10 season, starting all 33 of his La Liga appearances and helping secure a runners-up finish in the league with 96 points, the highest in club history at that point.[20] Over the following seasons, however, his role diminished due to the arrivals of defenders like Ricardo Carvalho in 2010 and increased competition, compounded by injuries; in 2011–12, a broken cheekbone and other setbacks limited him to just 17 appearances across all competitions. In 2010–11, he contributed to Real Madrid's Copa del Rey triumph. In total, Albiol made 118 appearances for Real Madrid between 2009 and 2013, scoring 2 goals, including one during a 4–0 league win over Real Zaragoza on 9 March 2013 and another against Lyon in the UEFA Champions League on 23 October 2011.[14] His time at the club ended in July 2013 when he departed for SSC Napoli in a €12 million transfer, prompted by fierce competition for places from established center-backs including Sergio Ramos, Pepe, and Carvalho.[5]Napoli
Raúl Albiol joined SSC Napoli from Real Madrid on 21 July 2013 for a reported fee of €12 million, signing a four-year contract.[5] His prior experience at Real Madrid aided a quick adaptation to the tactical rigors of Italian defending. He made his Serie A debut on 25 August 2013, starting in a 3–0 home victory over Bologna FC 1909.[21] Albiol was appointed club captain ahead of the 2014–15 season, a role he held throughout his tenure in Naples.[22] Under his leadership, Napoli secured the 2013–14 Coppa Italia with a 3–1 win over Fiorentina in the final at the Stadio Olimpico.[23] He also played a pivotal part in the 2014 Supercoppa Italiana, where Napoli defeated Juventus 4–2 on penalties following a 2–2 draw.[24] As a consistent starter in defensive midfield or at center-back, Albiol contributed to Napoli's competitive European campaigns, including a run to the semi-finals of the 2014–15 UEFA Europa League, where the team fell to FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk. Over his six-year spell from 2013 to 2019, he amassed 236 appearances and scored 6 goals across all competitions. Following the expiration of his contract, Albiol left Napoli on a free transfer to Villarreal CF on 4 July 2019.Villarreal
On 4 July 2019, at the age of 33, Raúl Albiol returned to Spain by joining Villarreal CF from Napoli for a transfer fee of €4 million, signing an initial three-year contract.[25][26] He made his La Liga debut for the club on 17 August 2019, playing the full 90 minutes in a 4–4 home draw against Granada CF.[27] Albiol quickly established himself as a key defensive leader at Villarreal, drawing on his prior experience as captain at Napoli to guide the team's backline. Appointed club captain ahead of the 2022–23 season, he provided veteran stability during crucial campaigns.[28] Under his leadership, Villarreal reached the 2020–21 UEFA Europa League final and secured the title with an 11–10 victory on penalties against Manchester United following a 1–1 draw on 26 May 2021 in Gdańsk, marking the club's first major European trophy.[29][30] Albiol extended his contract multiple times, renewing in November 2021 to 2023, in May 2023 to 2024, and in July 2024 to June 2025, allowing him to remain a cornerstone of the defense into his late 30s.[31][32] Over six seasons from 2019 to 2025, he made 201 appearances and scored 4 goals across all competitions.[33] In June 2025, following the expiration of his contract, Villarreal announced Albiol's departure, hailing him as a club legend for his contributions during a transformative era.[34]Pisa
On 5 September 2025, Raúl Albiol signed with newly promoted Serie A side Pisa SC as a free agent following his departure from Villarreal, agreeing to a one-year contract with an option for an additional season.[6][35] Albiol made his Serie A debut for Pisa on 18 October 2025 against Hellas Verona at the Arena Garibaldi, starting in central defense and playing the full 90 minutes in a goalless draw that secured a vital clean sheet for the team.[36][37] He followed this up with another appearance on 24 October 2025 against AC Milan, where he started but was substituted at halftime during a 2–2 draw, contributing to Pisa's resilient defensive display before being rested.[38][39] As of November 2025, Albiol has featured in four matches for Pisa, recording no goals but contributing to one clean sheet amid the team's challenging start in Serie A.[40] His market value stands at €1 million, underscoring his status as a seasoned veteran whose experience outweighs peak athletic output at age 40.[35] As an experienced centre-back, Albiol has been integral to Pisa's backline in the aftermath of their promotion from Serie B, offering mentorship and leadership to a predominantly young squad navigating the demands of top-flight football.[41] The move was driven by Albiol's desire to continue competing at the highest level after leaving Villarreal, fulfilling his long-stated ambition to conclude his career in Italy—a country familiar to him from his successful stint at Napoli.[42][43]International career
Youth career
Albiol received his first call-up to the Spain under-19 team in 2004.[44] He was part of the squad that won the UEFA European Under-19 Championship that year, appearing in three matches during the tournament.[45] In 2005, Albiol represented Spain at the FIFA World Youth Championship (now U-20 World Cup) in the Netherlands, where the team reached the round of 16 before being eliminated by Serbia and Montenegro on penalties. He made four appearances in the competition.[46] Albiol debuted for the Spain under-21 team in October 2005 against San Marino, going on to earn seven caps at that level through 2007.[44] Among his teammates in the youth setups were future senior internationals such as David Villa. His strong performances at Valencia provided the platform for his progression to the senior national team in 2007.[47] Across the under-19, under-20, and under-21 levels, Albiol accumulated approximately 14 international youth caps.[44]Senior career
Albiol made his senior international debut for Spain on 13 October 2007, starting in a 3–1 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying win against Denmark at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.[48] His early promise at youth level paved the way for this call-up under coach Luis Aragonés. He was selected for Spain's UEFA Euro 2008 squad and appeared in two matches: as a substitute against Sweden and starting against Greece, contributing to the team's first European Championship title.[48] Albiol was selected for Spain's squad at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, though an injury sustained during training limited him to no appearances as the team claimed their first global title with a 1–0 extra-time victory over the Netherlands in the final. He played a supporting role in the squad's defensive solidity during Vicente del Bosque's tenure, contributing to the nation's golden era of dominance. Albiol was part of the squad for UEFA Euro 2012 but made no appearances as Spain retained their title with a 4–0 final win against Italy. Albiol returned for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, starting the final group stage match—a 3–0 win over Australia—amid Spain's disappointing group exit following heavy defeats to the Netherlands and Chile. Over his senior international career, Albiol earned 58 caps for Spain without scoring a goal, his last appearance coming on 8 September 2021 in a 2–0 World Cup qualifying win over Kosovo.[48] He was not selected for subsequent squads, prioritizing his club commitments. In later reflections, Albiol has expressed pride in his contributions to Spain's historic successes under Del Bosque, describing the period from 2008 to 2012 as a "dream" era of collective achievement and tactical innovation.[22]Playing style
Defensive attributes
Raúl Albiol, standing at 1.90 meters tall, possesses a commanding physical presence that contributes significantly to his effectiveness as a centre-back, particularly in aerial contests. Throughout his career, he has demonstrated strong aerial dominance, winning approximately 69% of aerial duels according to performance metrics. This attribute has been evident in both La Liga and Serie A, where his height and timing allow him to excel in defensive headers and set-piece situations.[49][35] Albiol's defensive prowess extends to his tackling and interception abilities, where he maintains solid rates in high-level competitions. In his prime seasons with Villarreal in La Liga, he averaged around 1 tackle and 0.7-1 interception per 90 minutes, showcasing disciplined intervention without unnecessary risks. His style emphasizes blocking and clearing the ball effectively, as highlighted by scouting reports noting his strength in these areas while identifying tackling as a relative weakness compared to his overall reliability. Positional discipline is another hallmark, particularly in back-four systems employing zonal marking, where Albiol's anticipation helps maintain defensive structure.[14][50] In European competitions, Albiol's recovery speed and one-on-one defending have been notable, with him recording 62 ball recoveries in the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League—the highest among remaining defenders at that stage. During his Napoli tenure in Serie A, he adapted well to the league's tactical demands, contributing to a team that conceded an average of 0.66 goals per 90 minutes he played, bolstered by a 50% clean sheet ratio. This period underscored his versatility in various marking schemes, enhancing defensive solidity. Albiol has also shown injury resilience, participating in over 80% of available matches in multiple seasons across clubs, such as 36 of 38 La Liga games in 2019-20 with Villarreal.[51][52][14]Distribution and leadership
Raúl Albiol has been noted for his reliable ball distribution from the defensive line, consistently achieving a pass completion rate above 85% in La Liga appearances, such as 86.1% during the 2023–24 season with Villarreal and 89.4% in the 2024–25 campaign.[14] His ability to execute long-range passes, including 320 completed long balls at a 67.2% accuracy rate in the 2019–20 season, often targeted wingers to initiate rapid counter-attacks and relieve pressure on the backline.[14] Albiol demonstrated strong vision in progressing play forward, averaging approximately 4–5 progressive passes per 90 minutes across his stints at Napoli and Villarreal, with figures like 4.26 in Napoli's 2018–19 Serie A season and similar outputs in Villarreal's campaigns from 2019 onward.[14] Under managers emphasizing possession, such as Carlo Ancelotti at Napoli, he evolved into a libero-like figure, splitting wide during build-up phases to form a back three, circulate the ball calmly, and deliver raking passes that supported the team's flexible attacking transitions.[53] As a vocal leader, Albiol served as one of Villarreal's captains from the 2020–21 season through 2025, where he organized the defensive structure and guided the backline to key successes, including the 2020–21 UEFA Europa League triumph and a 2022 Champions League semi-final run.[31] During his Napoli tenure from 2014 to 2019, he emerged as a key on-pitch authority, mentoring younger defenders and contributing to set-piece plays, exemplified by a headed assist from a corner in Villarreal's February 2024 La Liga match against Real Sociedad.[54] His influence extended to nurturing talents like Pau Torres at Villarreal, where Albiol's vast experience from clubs like Real Madrid and the Spanish national team helped Torres develop into a "phenomenal centre-half pair," enhancing the younger player's defensive maturity through complementary right- and left-footed partnerships.[55]Personal life
Family
Raúl Albiol was born on 4 September 1985 in Vilamarxant, a small town in the Valencian Community of Spain, to a local family rooted in the region. His father, Miguel Albiol, played football at an amateur level for modest clubs like Benidorm CF, influencing his son's early passion for the sport through family involvement in local matches and training.[56][57] Albiol married his longtime girlfriend, Alicia Roig, on 17 June 2011 in a religious ceremony at Valencia's cathedral, followed by a reception at the Palau de les Arts. The couple, who had been together since their youth in the Valencia area, welcomed their first child before the wedding and built a family that has accompanied Albiol through his professional transitions.[58][59] The couple has four children: daughters Azahara (born 2009), Alma (born 2010), and Mia (born 2014), and son Romeo (born 2013). Romeo, an aspiring goalkeeper, has followed in his father's footsteps by joining Villarreal's youth academy, extending the Albiol family legacy at the club.[60][61] Albiol's family relocated with him from Spain to Italy in 2013 upon his transfer to Napoli, where they adapted to life in Naples for six years, with Roig providing key support during his tenure there. They returned to Spain in 2019 when Albiol joined Villarreal, settling back in the Valencian region close to their roots. In a 2025 interview, Albiol expressed that his family shared his dream of potentially returning to Italy, highlighting their close-knit dynamic amid career moves.[62] The family maintains a strong emphasis on privacy, with Albiol rarely discussing personal details in public interviews beyond occasional mentions of their support during challenges like the 2024 DANA floods that affected their home in Vilamarxant.[63]Other interests
Albiol has engaged in philanthropic efforts throughout his career, including participation in the United Nations Development Programme's Match Against Poverty in 2010, where he joined an all-star European team alongside figures like Ronaldo and Zinédine Zidane to raise funds for global poverty alleviation.[64] In 2013, he attended a charity gala in Valencia to support the Spanish Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, highlighting his commitment to health-related causes during his time at Napoli.[65] His transfer to Pisa in September 2025 fulfilled a long-held family aspiration to end his professional career in Italy, stemming from the positive experiences during his 2013–2019 stint with Napoli in the region.[42] Albiol has voiced ambitions to extend his playing tenure into his early 40s, citing Paolo Maldini's longevity at AC Milan as motivation, though he has not detailed specific post-retirement pursuits beyond maintaining physical fitness.[66]Career statistics
Club
The following table shows Raúl Albiol's league appearances and goals as of 17 November 2025.[14]| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–05 | Getafe | La Liga | 17 | 1 |
| 2005–06 | Valencia | La Liga | 29 | 1 |
| 2006–07 | Valencia | La Liga | 36 | 1 |
| 2007–08 | Valencia | La Liga | 32 | 1 |
| 2008–09 | Valencia | La Liga | 34 | 2 |
| 2009–10 | Real Madrid | La Liga | 33 | 0 |
| 2010–11 | Real Madrid | La Liga | 20 | 0 |
| 2011–12 | Real Madrid | La Liga | 10 | 0 |
| 2012–13 | Real Madrid | La Liga | 18 | 1 |
| 2013–14 | Napoli | Serie A | 32 | 1 |
| 2014–15 | Napoli | Serie A | 35 | 0 |
| 2015–16 | Napoli | Serie A | 36 | 1 |
| 2016–17 | Napoli | Serie A | 26 | 0 |
| 2017–18 | Napoli | Serie A | 31 | 3 |
| 2018–19 | Napoli | Serie A | 20 | 1 |
| 2019–20 | Villarreal | La Liga | 36 | 1 |
| 2020–21 | Villarreal | La Liga | 35 | 0 |
| 2021–22 | Villarreal | La Liga | 28 | 0 |
| 2022–23 | Villarreal | La Liga | 25 | 0 |
| 2023–24 | Villarreal | La Liga | 26 | 0 |
| 2024–25 | Villarreal | La Liga | 15 | 0 |
| 2025–26 | Pisa | Serie A | 3 | 0 |
| Total | 621 | 13 |
International
Albiol earned 58 caps for Spain between 2007 and 2018, without scoring a goal.[68]| Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup qualifiers | 10 | 0 |
| UEFA European Championship qualifiers | 11 | 0 |
| UEFA European Championship | 2 | 0 |
| FIFA World Cup | 1 | 0 |
| FIFA Confederations Cup | 4 | 0 |
| Friendlies | 30 | 0 |
| Total | 58 | 0 |
Honours
Club
Raúl Albiol won several major club trophies throughout his career, primarily with Valencia, Real Madrid, Napoli, and Villarreal. La Liga1 (2011–12 with Real Madrid). Albiol featured in 22 league matches during Real Madrid's record-breaking season, contributing to their 100-point title win. Copa del Rey
2 (2007–08 with Valencia; 2010–11 with Real Madrid). With Valencia, he played six matches en route to the final victory over Getafe. At Real Madrid, he started in the 1–0 final win against Barcelona at Mestalla. Supercopa de España
2 (2004 with Valencia; 2012 with Real Madrid). Albiol was part of the Valencia squad for the 2004 edition. With Real Madrid, he appeared as a substitute in the second leg of the 4–4 aggregate win over Barcelona on away goals. Coppa Italia
1 (2013–14 with Napoli). He played the full 90 minutes in the 3–1 final victory against Fiorentina at Stadio Olimpico. Supercoppa Italiana
1 (2014 with Napoli). Albiol started in the 2–2 draw that led to a 6–5 penalty shootout win over Juventus in Doha.[69] UEFA Cup
1 (2003–04 with Valencia). Albiol made his European debut in the competition, featuring in several matches during Valencia's successful campaign. UEFA Europa League
1 (2020–21 with Villarreal). As captain, Albiol played the full 120 minutes in the 1–1 draw final against Manchester United, which Villarreal won 11–10 on penalties.