Javi Guerra (footballer, born 1982)

{{Distinguish|Javi Guerrero|Javi Guerra (footballer, born 2003)}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Javi Guerra

| image = Javi Guerra 20140816.jpg

| upright = 0.8

| caption = Guerra playing for Cardiff City in 2014

| fullname = Javier Guerra Rodríguez{{cite news|url=https://resultados.as.com/resultados/ficha/deportista/javi_guerra/14386/|title=Javi Guerra|newspaper=Diario AS|language=es|access-date=22 February 2022}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|3|15|df=y}}

| birth_place = Vélez-Málaga, Spain

| height = 1.78m

| position = Striker

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Espanyol

| years1 = 2001–2002 | clubs1 = Vilassar Mar | caps1 = | goals1 =

| years2 = 2002–2003 | clubs2 = Motril | caps2 = 27 | goals2 = 7

| years3 = 2003–2004 | clubs3 = Cádiz | caps3 = 2 | goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2004 | clubs4 = Varzim | caps4 = 5 | goals4 = 0

| years5 = 2004–2007 | clubs5 = Valencia B | caps5 = 105 | goals5 = 55

| years6 = 2007 | clubs6 = Valencia | caps6 = 2 | goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2007–2008 | clubs7 = Granada 74 | caps7 = 39 | goals7 = 8

| years8 = 2008–2010 | clubs8 = Mallorca | caps8 = 0 | goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2008–2009 | clubs9 = → Alavés (loan) | caps9 = 40 | goals9 = 9

| years10 = 2009–2010 | clubs10 = → Levante (loan) | caps10 = 37 | goals10 = 12

| years11 = 2010–2014 | clubs11 = Valladolid | caps11 = 144 | goals11 = 68

| years12 = 2014–2015 | clubs12 = Cardiff City | caps12 = 3 | goals12 = 0

| years13 = 2015 | clubs13 = → Málaga (loan) | caps13 = 13 | goals13 = 5

| years14 = 2015–2019 | clubs14 = Rayo Vallecano | caps14 = 90 | goals14 = 24

| totalcaps = 507 | totalgoals = 188

}}

Javier "Javi" Guerra Rodríguez ({{IPA|es|xaˈβjeɾ ˈxaβi ˈɣera roˈðɾiɣeθ}};{{efn|In isolation, Guerra is pronounced {{IPA|es|ˈɡera|}}.}} born 15 March 1982) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a striker.

He amassed Segunda División totals of 247 games and 86 goals over eight seasons, representing in the competition Cádiz, Granada 74, Alavés, Levante, Valladolid and Rayo Vallecano. He added 120 matches and 40 goals in La Liga, with Valencia, Valladolid, Málaga and Rayo.

Club career

=Early years and Valencia=

Guerra was born in Vélez-Málaga, Andalusia. After beginning professionally with lowly Motril CF in the Segunda División B, he appeared sporadically for neighbouring Cádiz CF in the following season, after which he moved to La Liga with Valencia CF.{{cite news|url=https://www.laopiniondemalaga.es/malagacf/2014/02/28/javi-guerra-malagueno-amenaza-malaga-28654536.html|title=Javi Guerra: el malagueño que amenaza al Málaga CF|trans-title=Javi Guerra: the Málaga native who threatens Málaga CF|newspaper=La Opinión de Málaga|language=es|date=28 February 2014|access-date=7 January 2025}}

Guerra's stay with the Che would be quite unassuming, as he only managed to appear twice in the league in three years, totalling slightly more than ten minutes in a 3–0 loss at Getafe CF{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/203986?cc=5739|title=Getafe 3–0 Valencia|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=11 February 2007|access-date=14 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180405024303/http://www.espn.com/soccer/report?cc=5739&id=203986|archive-date=5 April 2018}} and a 3–2 home win against RCD Espanyol.{{cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/204049?cc=5739|title=Valencia 3–2 Espanyol|publisher=ESPN Soccernet|date=31 March 2007|access-date=14 June 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130103031920/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/204049?cc=5739|archive-date=3 January 2013}}{{cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/2013/12/17/futbol/equipos/valladolid/1387295005.html|title=Javi Guerra, el mejor punta nacido en España: "Estoy en una nube"|trans-title=Javi Guerra, the best striker born in Spain: "I'm sky-high"|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=17 December 2013|access-date=7 January 2025}}

Released in June 2007, Guerra resumed his career in the Segunda División, with consecutive relegations with Granada 74 CF and Deportivo Alavés (the latter already owned by RCD Mallorca, which also loaned the player for the 2009–10 campaign, to Levante UD).{{cite web|url=http://rcdm.es/javi-guerra-se-marcha-cedido-al-levante/|title=Javi Guerra se marcha cedido al Levante|trans-title=Javi Guerra goes on loan to Levante|publisher=RCDM|language=es|date=7 August 2009|access-date=27 February 2014}}

=Valladolid=

In August 2010, after greatly helping the Valencian Community team return to the top division, scoring 12 league goals which was second-best in the squad and joint-11th in the competition, Guerra left Mallorca permanently, signing a four-year contract with another side in the second tier, Real Valladolid, for free – the Balearic Islands club would only have to be paid if his new team promoted or decided to sell again.{{cite news|url=http://realvalladolid.elnortedecastilla.es/noticias/2010-07-24/javi-guerra-ficha-real-20100724.html|title=Javi Guerra ficha por el Real Valladolid|trans-title=Javi Guerra signs for Real Valladolid|newspaper=El Norte de Castilla|language=es|date=24 July 2010|access-date=14 June 2012}} He had a breakthrough season in his first year, bettering his previous best by 12 goals and finishing second in the top scorers' list:{{cite web|url=https://arxiu.fcbarcelona.cat/web/castellano/noticies/futbol_b/temporada10-11/06/05/n110605117884.html|title=Soriano, el Pitxitxi: "No tengo decidido mi futuro"|trans-title=Soriano, the Pitxitxi: "My future has not been decided as of yet"|publisher=FC Barcelona|first=Jaume|last=Marcet|language=es|date=5 June 2011|access-date=22 February 2022}} highlights included braces against Recreativo de Huelva (2–0, at home),{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2010/09/12/mas_futbol/1284242420_850215.html|title=Valladolid 4 Recreativo 0|newspaper=Diario AS|language=es|date=12 September 2010|access-date=22 February 2022}} SD Huesca (2–0, home),{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2011/01/15/futbol/2adivision/1295118268.html|title=Javi Guerra ofrece la primera victoria de la era Abel Resino|trans-title=Javi Guerra gives first win in Abel Resino era|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=15 January 2011|access-date=14 June 2012}} SD Ponferradina (2–1, home),{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2011/03/06/futbol/2adivision/1299435683.html|title=Guerra da alas al Valladolid y hunde a la Ponferradina|trans-title=Guerra gives wings to Valladolid and sinks Ponferradina|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=6 March 2011|access-date=14 June 2012}} UD Salamanca (5–0, away),{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2011/03/27/futbol/2adivision/1301227049.html|title=Goleada sin brillo del Valladolid ante un Salamanca que acabó con nueve|trans-title=Lacklustre Valladolid rout against nine-man Salamanca|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=27 March 2011|access-date=14 June 2012}} FC Barcelona B (2–1 home){{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2011/04/29/futbol/2adivision/1304110589.html|title=El reloj de Javi Guerra nunca se detiene|trans-title=Javi Guerra's watch never stops|newspaper=Marca|first=Diego|last=Acedo|language=es|date=29 April 2011|access-date=14 June 2012}} and AD Alcorcón (2–0, home),{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2011/06/04/futbol/2adivision/1307218708.html|title=Un efervescente Javi Guerra conduce al Valladolid a los 'playoffs' de ascenso|trans-title=Ebullient Javi Guerra leads Valladolid to promotion playoffs|newspaper=Marca|language=es|date=4 June 2011|access-date=14 June 2012}} and a hat-trick against CD Numancia (4–5 defeat, home).{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2010/12/12/mas_futbol/1292138817_850215.html|title=Un gran Barkero decide el derbi|trans-title=Great Barkero decides derby|newspaper=Diario AS|first=Ignacio|last=Bailador|language=es|date=12 December 2010|access-date=7 January 2025}}

Guerra continued with his fine form in the promotion playoffs, scoring the game's only goal in the first leg with Elche CF at the Estadio Nuevo José Zorrilla, in an eventual 3–2 aggregate loss.{{cite news|url=http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2011/06/09/valladolid/1307642546.html|title=El Real Valladolid gana el primer combate al Elche con un gol de Javi Guerra|trans-title=Real Valladolid win first round against Elche with goal by Javi Guerra|newspaper=El Mundo|first=José Javier|last=Álamo|language=es|date=9 June 2011|access-date=14 June 2012}} He netted significantly less in 2011–12, but two of his 17 goals included one in each leg of the promotion playoffs against Alcorcón, with Valladolid winning 2–1 on aggregate and returning to the top flight after two years.{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2012/06/14/mas_futbol/1339655219_850215.html|title=Javi Guerra da ventaja al Valladolid hacia el ascenso|trans-title=Javi Guerra gives advantage to Valladolid en route to promotion|newspaper=Diario AS|first=Aimara|last=Garteizgoxeascoa Gil|language=es|date=14 June 2012|access-date=7 January 2025}}{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.es/20120616/deportes-futbol/abci-valladolid-alcorcon-ascenso-201206162311.html|title=El Valladolid vuelve a Primera|trans-title=Valladolid return to Primera|newspaper=ABC|language=es|date=16 June 2012|access-date=17 June 2012}}

On 16 December 2013, Guerra took his season tally to ten after scoring all of his team's goals in a 3–0 home defeat of RC Celta de Vigo.{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/uk/en/report/373058/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=5739|title=Guerra gets three as Valladolid win|publisher=ESPN FC|date=16 December 2013|access-date=17 December 2013}} On 5 February of the following year, he signed a pre-contract agreement with Premier League club Cardiff City, with the deal being made effective in the summer after his link expired.{{cite web|url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-city-sign-pre-contract-agreement-6676728|title=Cardiff City sign pre-contract agreement with Spanish striker Javi Guerra|publisher=WalesOnline|first=Terry|last=Phillips|date=5 February 2014|access-date=12 September 2020}}

=Cardiff City=

Guerra was officially presented as a new Cardiff City player on 21 May 2014, signing a three-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/27506305|title=Cardiff City sign striker Javi Guerra from Real Valladolid|publisher=BBC Sport|date=21 May 2014|access-date=21 May 2014}} He made his debut for the club on 16 August, coming on as a substitute for Kenwyne Jones for the last 22 minutes of a 3–1 victory over Huddersfield Town at Cardiff City Stadium.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28716515|title=Cardiff City 3–1 Huddersfield Town|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Bruce|last=Pope|date=16 August 2014|access-date=3 December 2014}}

Having made only three bench appearances during the season, Guerra was loaned to Málaga CF on 15 January 2015, until June.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30796074|title=Cardiff City: Javi Guerra moves to Malaga on loan|publisher=BBC Sport|date=15 January 2015|access-date=15 January 2015}}

=Rayo Vallecano=

On 31 August 2015, Guerra joined Rayo Vallecano on a two-year deal.{{cite web|url=http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/article/deal-done-guerra-departs-2658493.aspx|title=Deal done: Guerra departs|publisher=Cardiff City F.C|date=31 August 2015|access-date=31 August 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831213248/http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/article/deal-done-guerra-departs-2658493.aspx|archive-date=31 August 2015}} With 12 goals, he was the team's top scorer in his first season as they suffered relegation;{{cite web|url=https://www.unionrayo.es/javi-guerra-de-maximo-goleador-del-rayo-a-baja-sin-despedida/|title=Javi Guerra: de máximo goleador del Rayo a baja sin despedida|trans-title=Javi Guerra: from Rayo top scorer to release without farewell|publisher=Unión Rayo|first=Nacho|last=Herrero|language=es|date=11 July 2019|access-date=17 July 2020}} this included two in the first ten minutes of a 2–1 home victory against Granada CF on 7 November.{{cite news|url=https://www.malagahoy.es/deportes/Javi-Guerra-Granada-continua-descenso_0_969803607.html#!|title=Javi Guerra tumba a un Granada que continúa en descenso|trans-title=Javi Guerra downs a Granada who continue in relegation|newspaper=Málaga Hoy|first=David|last=Ramiro|language=es|date=8 November 2015|access-date=19 June 2020}}

Guerra extended his contract on 11 July 2016 to remain in Vallecas until 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.efe.com/efe/espana/deportes/javi-guerra-renueva-por-el-rayo-vallecano-hasta-2019/10006-2981743|title=Javi Guerra renueva por el Rayo Vallecano hasta 2019|trans-title=Javi Guerra renews for Rayo Vallecano until 2019|publisher=EFE|language=es|date=11 July 2016|access-date=19 June 2020}} His input was more limited as they won the 2017–18 Segunda División and were instantly demoted back, and on 30 June 2019 his link expired.{{cite web|url=https://www.unionrayo.es/javi-guerra-veo-lejano-jugar-en-segunda-b/|title=Javi Guerra: "Veo lejano jugar en Segunda B"|trans-title=Javi Guerra: "I see playing in Segunda B as something distant"|publisher=Unión Rayo|language=es|date=27 July 2019|access-date=19 June 2020}}

Personal life

Guerra's twin brother, Emilio, was also a footballer and a forward. He spent the vast majority of his career in the Spanish lower leagues.{{cite news|url=http://www.diariosur.es/v/20110608/deportes/mas-futbol/record-plata-javi-guerra-20110608.html|title=El récord de plata de Javi Guerra|trans-title=Javi Guerra's silver record|newspaper=Diario Sur|first=Pedro Luis|last=Alonso|language=es|date=8 June 2011|access-date=19 November 2013}}

Career statistics

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|National Cup !colspan="2"\|League Cup !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition{{WorldFootball.net\|javi-guerra}}{{Soccerway\|javier--guerra-rodriguez/60957}}
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Motril	2002–03	Segunda División B	27	7	0	0	0	0	0	0	27	7
Cádiz	2003–04	Segunda División B	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
Varzim	2004–05	Segunda Liga	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
rowspan="4"\|Valencia B	2004–05	rowspan="2"\|Tercera División	34	19	0	0	0	0	0	0	34	19
2005–06	37	21	0	0	0	0	0	0	37	21
2006–07	Segunda División B	34	15	0	0	0	0	0	0	34	15
colspan="2"\|Total	105	55	0	0	0	0	0	0	105	55
Valencia	2006–07	La Liga	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
Granada 74	2007–08	Segunda División	39	8	2	0	0	0	0	0	41	8
rowspan="3"\|Mallorca	2008–09	rowspan="2"\|La Liga	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
2009–10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
colspan="2"\|Total	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Alavés (loan)	2008–09	Segunda División	40	9	0	0	0	0	0	0	40	9
Levante (loan)	2009–10	Segunda División	37	12	1	0	0	0	0	0	38	12
rowspan="5"\|Valladolid	2010–11	rowspan="2"\|Segunda División	41	28	1	0	0	0	2	1	44	29
2011–12	36	17	0	0	0	0	4	3	40	20
2012–13	La Liga	30	8	2	0	0	0	0	0	32	8
2013–14	La Liga	37	15	2	1	0	0	0	0	39	16
colspan="2"\|Total	144	68	5	1	0	0	6	4	155	73
Cardiff City	2014–15	Championship	3	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	5	0
Málaga (loan)	2014–15	La Liga	13	5	1	0	0	0	0	0	14	5
rowspan="5"\|Rayo Vallecano	2015–16	La Liga	30	12	1	0	0	0	0	0	31	12
2016–17	rowspan="2"\|Segunda División	34	9	1	0	0	0	0	0	35	9
2017–18	18	3	1	0	0	0	0	0	19	3
2018–19	La Liga	8	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	8	0
colspan="2"\|Total	90	24	3	0	0	0	0	0	93	24
colspan="3"\|Career total	507	188	12	1	2	0	6\|\|4	527	193

Honours

Rayo Vallecano

Segunda División: 2017–18{{cite web|url=https://www.vavel.com/es/futbol/2018/06/11/rayo-vallecano/920835-sube-contenidosresumen-de-la-temporada-20172018-rayo-vallecano-delantera-artilleria-pesada.html|title=Resumen de la temporada 2017/2018: Rayo Vallecano, delanteros, artillería pesada|trans-title=2017/2018 season summary: Rayo Vallecano, forwards, heavy artillery|publisher=Vavel|first=Carlos|last=Ortega Marchamalo|language=es|date=11 June 2018|access-date=8 October 2020}}