Villarreal CF celebrate a historic milestone crowned by 26 seasons of work in Spanish football’s top flight
Villarreal CF reached a landmark and historic achievement this Sunday. With the victory secured at San Mamés against Athletic Club (1-2) on Matchday 31 of LALIGA EA Sports, the Yellow Submarine reached 1,500 points in LaLiga. A figure that symbolises decades of effort and consistency, and that cements the club as one of the great contemporary forces in LALIGA.
Consistency achieved by very few
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is the time it has taken to reach it. Since their historic debut in the top flight in the 1998/99 season, under the leadership of Fernando Roig just one year after he took over the club, Villarreal have needed 26 seasons in the elite to reach such a symbolic total, with the only exception being the 2012/13 campaign in the second division following the painful relegation of 2012. Just one season outside LaLiga in almost three decades. The resulting average speaks for itself: 57.7 points per season, a record that confirms the Submarine as one of the most consistent teams in LaLiga’s recent history.
The historic benchmark of the runners-up finish (2007/08)
Looking back at Villarreal’s points tally in LaLiga, it is impossible not to stop at the 2007/08 season. That campaign, with Manuel Pellegrini on the bench and players such as Giuseppe Rossi, Diego Forlán and Marcos Senna in the squad, saw Villarreal enjoy the finest league season in their history, finishing with 77 points — just eight behind champions Real Madrid and ten clear of third-placed FC Barcelona. An unforgettable season that marked the club’s highest point in LaLiga and remains the golden benchmark in Villarreal history.
A present that inspires dreams
Rather than living off past success, the team are flying this season. With the three points earned yesterday in Bilbao, the Yellows have strengthened their grip on third place, moving up to 61 points with seven matchdays still to play. If they maintain this outstanding pace, Marcelino García Toral’s side will not only take a giant step towards Champions League qualification, but are also on course to post one of the best points totals in the club’s entire history.
