José Luis Gayà to reach 400 Valencia appearances at Oviedo | OneFootball

José Luis Gayà, 30, will reach 400 official appearances for Valencia on Saturday at the Carlos Tartiere in Oviedo. He will draw level with Enrique Saura and become seventh on the club’s all-time list, behind Santiago Cañizares 416, Manolo Mestre 424, Miguel Ángel Angulo 434, David Albelda 485, Ricardo Arias 521 and Fernando Gómez Colomer 553.

Since debut at Llagostera on 30 October 2012 he has made 399 outings, split across La Liga 334, Copa del Rey 34, Champions League 18, Europa League 11 and Supercopa 2. He won the 2019 Copa and is the Meriton era appearance leader on 394, ahead of Dani Parejo 271 and Carlos Soler 226.

On 18 January his chipped finish past David Soria at Getafe sealed a 0-1 and sparked five wins in eight in the second half, against Getafe, Espanyol, Levante, Osasuna and Alavés. That result also rebuilt belief in a squad looking to change course.

"The important thing is the team, it is always above everything and any player. I only want the best for my team, I have been fighting for this badge since I was eleven, even if many do not acknowledge it, and some things said about me surprise me," he told Movistar Plus.

He has missed no matches through injury this season, only two by suspension and two by selection, with 22 starts and three substitute appearances. He also created Hugo Duro’s winner in the Levante derby at Mestalla.

He reached 350 games in March 2024 at 28 years and 289 days, second youngest after Fernando at 27 years and 239 days. He has since overtaken several club greats, including Dani Parejo this season. Gayà is on course to become Valencia’s eighth one-club man, joining Antonio Puchades, Pep Claramunt, Manolo Mestre, Paco Camarasa, Enrique Cano, Amadeo Ibáñez and Pep Balaguer. His deal runs to 30 June 2027.

Source: Superdeporte