Javi Guerra (footballer, born 2003)

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Guerra and the second or maternal family name is Moreno.

Javi Guerra
Personal information
Full name Javier Guerra Moreno
Date of birth (2003-05-13) 13 May 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth Gilet, Spain
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Valencia
Number 8
Youth career
2011–2019 Villarreal
2019–2021 Valencia
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2023 Valencia B 49 (1)
2022– Valencia 56 (5)
International career‡
2021 Spain U19 2 (0)
2023– Spain U21 12 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 04:26, 27 October 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 03:48, 16 October 2024 (UTC)

Javier "Javi" Guerra Moreno (born 13 May 2003) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for La Liga club Valencia.

Career

Guerra was born in Gilet, Valencian Community, and joined Valencia CF's academy in 2019, from Villarreal CF.[2] On 14 May 2021, he signed his first professional contract, with Valencia, until 2024.[3][4]

Guerra made his senior debut with the reserves on 23 May 2021, coming on as a late substitute for Koba Koindredi in a 1–1 Segunda División B away draw against CE L'Hospitalet, as his side were already relegated. He made his first team debut the following 16 January, replacing fellow youth graduate Hugo Guillamón late into a 1–0 Copa del Rey win over CD Atlético Baleares.[5]

Guerra made his professional – and La Liga – debut on 16 April 2023, replacing Samu Castillejo in a 2–0 home loss against Sevilla FC. Eleven days later, he scored a last-minute winner in a 2–1 home success over Real Valladolid, just minutes after coming on as a substitute.[6]

In May 2023, Guerra further extended his link with the Che until 2027,[7] and was definitely promoted to the main squad ahead of the 2023–24 season.[8] He started the new campaign by scoring the winning goal in the 88th minute in a 2–1 win at Sevilla FC on 11 August, coming on as a substitute in the 66th minute.[9]

International career

Guerra was called up to the Spain U19 squad in August 2021.[10]

Playing style

Guerra is a talented midfielder who can play either in a holding or more advanced position in the midfield. He covers long distances, has a great short game, is great at delivering through balls and has great tackling skills.[1]

Career statistics

As of match played 21 October 2024[11]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Copa del Rey Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Valencia B 2020–21 Segunda División B 1 0 — 1 0
2021–22 Tercera División RFEF 23 0 — 23 0
2022–23 Segunda Federación 25 1 — 25 1
Total 49 1 — 49 1
Valencia 2021–22 La Liga 0 0 1 0 1 0
2022–23 10 1 0 0 10 1
2023–24 36 4 4 0 40 4
2024–25 10 0 0 0 10 0
Total 56 5 5 0 61 5
Career total 105 6 5 0 110 6

Honours

Individual

References

  1. ^ a b "El Barça se fija en Javi Guerra" [Barça target Javi Guerra]. Marca (in Spanish). 1 December 2022.
  2. ^ "Javi Guerra, el valioso todocampista de Gilet" [Javi Guerra, the precious all-round midfielder from Gilet]. Cadena COPE (in Spanish). 19 April 2023.
  3. ^ "Javi Guerra toca la puerta del primer equipo y de la renovación" [Javi Guerra knocks the door of the first team and of the renewal]. Valencia Plaza (in Spanish). esportbase media. 12 December 2022.
  4. ^ "El Valencia CF renueva a una de los futbolistas con más proyección de su cantera" [Valencia CF renew one of the footballers with the most projection of their youth setup] (in Spanish). Golsmedia. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  5. ^ "#CopadelRey | Mosquera, octavo más joven en la historia, y Javi Guerra debutan con Valencia" [#CopadelRey | Mosquera, eight-youngest in history, and Javi Guerra debuted with Valencia]. Valencia Plaza (in Spanish). Plaza Deportiva. 16 January 2022.
  6. ^ "Bendita locura de Javi Guerra" [Javi Guerra's holy madness]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 27 April 2023.
  7. ^ "Javi Guerra: "It's a dream come true"". Valencia CF. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  8. ^ "Javi Guerra, imprescindible en la medular" [Javi Guerra, essential in the midfield] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 19 July 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Sevilla vs. Valencia Game Highlights". 11 August 2023.
  10. ^ "Dos jugadores del Valencia CF en la convocatoria de la Selección española sub19" [Two Valencia CF players in the call-up of the Spain under-19 national team] (in Spanish). Valencia Base. 25 August 2021.
  11. ^ Javi Guerra at Soccerway. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  12. ^ "Javi Guerra, Named Best Player in Group III of Segunda Federación 22-23 Season by the Spanish Footballers' Association". Valencia CF. 7 November 2023.
  13. ^ "Javi Guerra named LALIGA EA SPORTS Under-23 Player of the Month for September". La Liga. 6 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.