Renato Veiga, Iñigo Pérez’s untouchable wall at Villarreal | OneFootball

Renato Veiga has become central to Villarreal under Iñigo Pérez, the only outfielder not to miss a minute since Pérez took charge. According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, the 23-year-old is now a fixture.

He has started all seven LaLiga games, playing 630 minutes, and added 90 in the Champions League opener against Borussia Dortmund, 720 club minutes without a substitution.

With Portugal he completed the first two Nations League wins, 1-0 against Wales in Lisbon and 2-1 in Norway, adding 180 to reach 900 across 10 official matches this season. Denmark on Thursday 1 October and Norway on Sunday 4 are next.

Across LaLiga he is one of only seven outfielders to play every league minute so far, and he leads the division with 601 passes.

He started all five of Portugal’s matches at the 2026 World Cup, 450 minutes, returning to La Cerámica with enhanced status.

Juan Foyth’s injury has hastened his leadership. At 1.90m he dominates in the air, anticipates aggressively and defends forward in a high line, while taking measured risks on the ball.

Internationally, he sits among the Nations League’s leading ball-winners with 21 recoveries. He is also a set-piece threat in attack and a key presence protecting his area.

The international window will not bring respite. Should he complete Denmark and Norway, Veiga will return with 12 straight official matches without leaving the pitch.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”