Tag: Rayo Vallecano

Former Real Madrid and Barcelona attackers could unite in LaLiga
27Aug By Joe SorianoNo Comments
Features, LaLiga

Former Real Madrid and Barcelona attackers could unite in LaLiga

Former Real Madrid, Porto, Monaco, and Everton star James Rodriguez put himself back on the map in European football with a summer for the ages at Copa America, showing, once again, why he is one of the best players in the world on the international stage. The Colombian playmaker was the best player of the tournament, leading his country to the final against Argentina, where they pitched Lionel Messi and Co. to their limit. Now, James will be returning to LaLiga, embarking on what will likely be his final chapter in European football, returning from a nondescript time in South America to become the latest big name to join Rayo Vallecano, following in the footsteps of former club and national teammate Radamel Falcao. But James may not be the only big-name attacker from one of Spani...
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Former Real Madrid star expected to sign with rival club shortly
22Aug By Kevin ParviziNo Comments
Features, LaLiga

Former Real Madrid star expected to sign with rival club shortly

Real Madrid are used to their former stars joining other clubs, either because they want a new challenge or simply because they realized they were no longer capable of starting at the most pressurized and successful club in world football. Usually, Real Madrid fans don't get upset when a player leaves. Either they are bidding farewell to someone like Marcelo or Gareth Bale who is moving on to a league outside of European football to end their career, or they are watching a club icon like Casemiro or Raphael Varane leave at the right time. In the case of James Rodriguez, Real Madrid watched a once-great player who had faded from relevance in the modern game leave for Everton for one last try at a return to stardom under another beloved Merengue figure, Carlo Ancelotti. Since that b...
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Ranking the 10 best players in Rayo Vallecano history
12Mar By Cody AcevedaNo Comments
Features, LaLiga

Ranking the 10 best players in Rayo Vallecano history

Rayo Vallecano is a truly special club. Very few clubs in European football have dedicated and passionate fan bases like Los Franjirrojos have. Even fewer represent their community as well as Rayo do, despite constant attacks from their owner. We’ve written about Rayo Vallecano’s terrible owner and their amazing fans before. Now, it’s time to take a look at some of the club’s players. Without further ado, here are the 10 best players in Rayo Vallecano history. 10. Hugo Sánchez (1993–1994) Hugo Sánchez is one of the few players in history to play for Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid, and Rayo Vallecano. The Mexican legend joined Los Franjirrojos near the end of his career, and played just one season for the club. Even with just one season under his belt, Sánchez deserves to be on this list...
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The 10 biggest breakout stars in LaLiga: Girona lead the way, Valencia with two, Barça best rivals
26Oct By Kevin ParviziNo Comments
Features, LaLiga

The 10 biggest breakout stars in LaLiga: Girona lead the way, Valencia with two, Barça best rivals

LaLiga has been home to some of world football's most exciting breakout stars since the start of the 2022/23 season. Many of those players are getting some more mainstream credit, such as Gavi and other Barcelona standouts, but there are many more who remain criminally underrated. The 2023/24 season is bringing the world some more gems, so, to honor them, let's take a look at the 10 biggest breakout stars of the current Spanish top-flight campaign thus far. Girona LW Sávio The list has to start with Sávio. Just as Aleix García was THE breakout story in LaLiga last season, another Girona star has captured the spotlight on the left wing. Sávio is only 19 years old and already one of the best players in the league, if his performances in 2023/24 continue. And there is no reason to believ...
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Why you should watch Rayo Vallecano vs Atlético Madrid
6Apr By Joseph ZebedeeNo Comments
Features, LaLiga

Why you should watch Rayo Vallecano vs Atlético Madrid

Think of Madrid and you think of Real Madrid, the city's giant football club plays a leading role in Spanish football, let alone in the nation's capital. But, Madrid is far from a one-club city. This Sunday, Rayo Vallecano and Atlético Madrid will face off in LaLiga. A brief history of Atlético and Rayo I'll start with the more well-known club of the two, the city's second club, Atlético Madrid. Founded by Athletic Club fans in 1903, they quickly became more than a Basque project in the capital, but have never quite been able to topple Real Madrid off its perch as the city's number-one club. During the Second World War they became the team of the air force, calling themselves Atlético Aviación de Madrid, and in the 1950's they had something of a golden era. Under the management of Hel...
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Why Rayo Vallecano is secretly one of Europe’s most interesting clubs
1Feb By Cody AcevedaNo Comments
Features, LaLiga

Why Rayo Vallecano is secretly one of Europe’s most interesting clubs

To many, Rayo Vallecano is just one of the “other teams” in Madrid. The club isn’t as glamourous as their neighbors Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, but it’s arguably more interesting. You might not believe us now but keep reading and see for yourself what makes this working-class football club so special. Rayo Vallecano’s rise back to LaLiga Rayo Vallecano were promoted from the Segunda Division in 2021 through the division’s promotion playoff. Rayo were the lowest-seeded team in that playoff after finishing sixth in the league that year. Rayo defeated Leganés and Girona in successive two-legged ties to gain promotion. They accomplished this without one of their most important players. Starting goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski was busy representing North Macedonia at the 2020 Euros, ...
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