Villarreal’s rise from a small Castellón town to Champions League semi-finals and a Europa League crown is one of football’s great stories. These are the ten greatest of the Yellow Submarine.

1. 1

   Juan Román Riquelme

   Villarreal · Argentina

   The artistic playmaker who took the club to the brink of a Champions League final.

2. 2

   Marcos Senna

   Villarreal · Spain

   A commanding, one-club midfield anchor and a European Championship winner.

3. 3

   Gerard Moreno

   Villarreal · Spain

   The club’s all-time leading scorer and a Europa League-winning talisman.

4. 4

   Diego Forlán

   Villarreal · Uruguay

   A prolific, two-footed striker who won the European Golden Boot at the club.

5. 5

   Santi Cazorla

   Villarreal · Spain

   A two-footed playmaker of rare joy across two beloved spells.

6. 6

   Giuseppe Rossi

   Villarreal · Italy

   A brilliant, clinical forward whose best years lit up the club.

7. 7

   Bruno Soriano

   Villarreal · Spain

   A loyal one-club midfielder and long-serving captain.

8. 8

   Robert Pirès

   Villarreal · France

   A World Cup winner who brought class and craft in his later career.

9. 9

   Nihat Kahveci

   Villarreal · Turkey

   A quick, clever striker of the club’s Champions League semi-final side.

10. 10

    Diego López

    Villarreal · Spain

    A dependable, commanding goalkeeper of the club’s finest era.

A LeaguePaper editorial ranking — opinion, offered for argument.