Where are Villarreal’s 2021 Europa League winners now? Only two remain, six retired | OneFootball

Five years on from Villarreal’s Europa League triumph, only two members of that squad remain and six have retired, according to El Periódico Mediterráneo.

In Gdansk on 26 May 2021, they beat Manchester United on penalties after 22 kicks. All 11 Villarreal takers scored, Gerónimo Rulli converted then saved from David De Gea.

Rulli is with Olympique de Marseille and will play the World Cup for Argentina. Sergio Asenjo retired in 2024 and is a Movistar pundit. Raúl Albiol is at Pisa, Pau Torres plays for Aston Villa, and Juan Foyth is the other survivor, currently out long term.

Mario Gaspar retired in 2025, Alfonso Pedraza has joined Lazio, and Pervis Estupiñán is at Milan after a move to Brighton. Alberto Moreno later signed for Como, who have qualified for the Champions League. Rubén Peña captains Leganés, and Jaume Costa is retired and on Villarreal C’s staff.

In midfield, Vicente Iborra is retired and Dani Parejo leaves in 2026 after six seasons with his next club unknown. Étienne Capoue, the Gdansk MVP, retired in 2024. Manu Trigueros is at Granada, Francis Coquelin at Nantes, Moi Gómez at Osasuna, Álex Baena at Atlético Madrid and World Cup bound, and Take Kubo at Real Sociedad.

Up front, Dani Raba is at Valencia, Yeremy Pino joined Crystal Palace and will go to the World Cup, and Samu Chukwueze is on loan at Fulham from Milan. Gerard Moreno is still at Villarreal, the record scorer after a 30-goal season that included the final opener and a shootout kick. Paco Alcácer retired on 11 March 2026, and Fer Niño plays for Burgos after a spell at Mallorca.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo