Rodrigo Hernández, Álex Baena and Yeremy Pino lift Villarreal’s academy to new heights | OneFootball

Rodrigo Hernández, Álex Baena and Yeremy Pino have propelled Villarreal’s academy onto the global stage. El Periódico Mediterráneo highlights sustained work and an unwavering faith in youth as the bedrock.

Rodri is captain, leader and the World Cup Ballon d'Or. At 30, after a serious knee injury, he excelled.

He joined in 2013 at youth level, almost quit after a barren first season, then debuted in 2016. He made 84 appearances with six assists and two goals, left for Atlético in 2018 for 20 million, then joined Guardiola’s Manchester City, where he is a club legend.

Álex Baena, born 20 July 2001, has endured his first year away from Vila-real, moving from key man at Villarreal to limited minutes at Atlético de Madrid. Backed by Luis de la Fuente, he earned a start after Cabo Verde, scored against Uruguay and assisted versus Austria in the last 16. He has won the European Championship, the World Cup and the Olympic Games.

Yeremy Pino, born 20 October 2002 and at Miralcamp since cadete level, struggled after a shoulder injury against Uruguay and did not play again. Even so, he was important for unity in the dressing room.

The Canary winger enjoys De la Fuente’s full trust and already holds the Nations League, European Championship and World Cup.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo