Valencia

Valencia CF is one of Spain's historic soccer clubs, based in Valencia and competing in La Liga. The club plays at Mestalla, a landmark stadium known for its steep stands and intense matchday atmosphere, and has long carried a reputation as one of Spanish soccer's major challengers outside the Real Madrid-Barcelona axis. Founded in 1919, Valencia has won six La Liga titles and eight Copa del Rey trophies. Its strongest modern era came in the early 2000s under Rafael Benítez, when Valencia won La Liga in 2001-02 and 2003-04, then added the 2003-04 UEFA Cup with a 2-0 final win over Marseille. Valencia has also been a regular European name, reaching back-to-back UEFA Champions League finals in 2000 and 2001. The club's identity is tied to elite youth development, passionate local support, and rivalries with clubs including Villarreal, Levante, Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atlético Madrid.

Valencia is closing the 2025-26 La Liga season under Carlos Corberán with survival and mid-table security as the immediate storyline. Recent form has been mixed: a 2-1 home win over Girona helped the club move five points clear of the relegation zone, but a 0-2 loss to Atlético Madrid at Mestalla on May 2 checked that momentum. The final stretch includes Athletic Club away on May 10, Rayo Vallecano at Mestalla on May 14, Real Sociedad away on May 17, and Barcelona still to come.