Gayà's goalscoring beginnings

José Luis Gayà's latest goal came during Thursday night's game between Spain and Germany, helping his country to a 1-1 draw in Stuttgart. He may have made his name in professional football as a fullback, but he was actually signed by the VCF Academy as a striker -hence his scoring instinct.

In his trial, en route to joining from CE Pedreguer, he scored six goals. Later on, he would be put to use as an attack leftback who has pace and skill on the ball.

Francisco Crespo, Gayà's coach in several tournaments at youth level, tells VCF MEDIA that “he was an out-and-out striker and he scored goals from out of nowhere, dribbled through and got one-on-one with the goalkeeper. To start with, he was cheeky, as he would lob the smaller goalkeepers knowing that they wouldn't reach the ball. He was a born goalscorer and was always looking to score."

Crespo also remembers that "He did not like at all when the ball was taken from him or when the other team scored. If he lost the ball he would chase back to his area to regain possession."

“He is now one of the best players in Europe and an example for everyone to follow, because of the values ​​he transmits. For us it is a source of pride that one of 'our' players captains Valencia CF, wearing the armband previously worn by club legends."