Javi Villar
{{short description|Spanish footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{family name hatnote|Villar|del Fraile|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Javi Villar
| image =
| fullname = Javier Villar del Fraile
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2003|3|15|df=y}}
| birth_place = Murcia, Spain
| height = 1.87 m
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = Albacete
| clubnumber = 18
| youthyears1 = 2010–2014 | youthclubs1 = Azarbe
| youthyears2 = 2014–2018 | youthclubs2 = UCAM Murcia
| youthyears3 = 2018–2019 | youthclubs3 = Murcia
| youthyears4 = 2019 | youthclubs4 = Barcelona
| youthyears5 = 2019–2021 | youthclubs5 = Elche
| youthyears6 = 2021–2022 | youthclubs6 = Real Madrid
| years1 = 2022–2024 | clubs1 = Real Madrid B | caps1 = 20 | goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2023–2024 | clubs2 = → Unionistas (loan) | caps2 = 32 | goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2024– | clubs3 = Albacete | caps3 = 26 | goals3 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2021 | nationalteam1 = Spain U19 | nationalcaps1 = 2 | nationalgoals1 = 0
| club-update = 19 June 2025
| nationalteam-update =
}}
Javier "Javi" Villar del Fraile (born 15 March 2003) is a Spanish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Albacete Balompié.
Club career
Born in Murcia, Villar began his career with hometown side AD Azarbe, and subsequently represented the youth sides of UCAM Murcia CF and Real Murcia CF before signing for FC Barcelona on 16 July 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.laopiniondemurcia.es/deportes/2019/07/16/murciano-javi-villar-ficha-barcelona-34009525.html|title=El murciano Javi Villar ficha por el Barcelona|trans-title=Murcian Javi Villar signs for Barcelona|publisher=La Opinión de Murcia|language=es|date=16 July 2019|accessdate=19 July 2024}} He was unable to be registered by the latter as they did not have any available spots and, after being offered to be loaned out, he left in September to join Elche CF.{{cite web|url=https://rookiesoccer.com/2019/09/13/javi-villar-ficha-por-el-elche-cf/|title=Javi Villar ficha por el Elche CF|trans-title=Javi Villar signs for Elche CF|publisher=Rookie Soccer|language=es|date=13 September 2019|accessdate=19 July 2024}}
On 7 July 2021, Villar moved to Real Madrid's La Fábrica, being assigned to the Juvenil squad.{{cite web|url=https://www.mundodeportivo.com/futbol/real-madrid/20210707/410419450443/javi-villar-real-madrid.html|title=El Real Madrid ficha a Javi Villar para el Juvenil|trans-title=Real Madrid sign Javi Villar for the Juvenil|publisher=Mundo Deportivo|language=es|date=7 July 2021|accessdate=19 July 2024}} He made his senior debut with the reserves on 15 May of the following year, coming on as a late substitute for goalscorer Carlos Dotor in a 5–1 Primera División RFEF home routing of UE Costa Brava.{{cite web|url=https://www.adnblanco.com/javi-villar-debuto-con-el-castilla/|title=Javi Villar debutó con el Castilla|trans-title=Javi Villar debuted with Castilla|publisher=ADN Blanco|language=es|date=16 May 2022|accessdate=19 July 2024}}
Definitely promoted to Castilla for the 2022–23 season, Villar featured sparingly before being loaned out to fellow third division side Unionistas de Salamanca CF on 26 July 2023.{{cite web|url=https://www.salamancahoy.es/deportes/unionistas-cf/javi-villar-cedido-real-madrid-castilla-nuevo-20230726124217-nt.html|title=Javi Villar, cedido por el Real Madrid Castilla, nuevo jugador de Unionistas|trans-title=Javi Villar, on loan from Real Madrid Castilla, new player of Unionistas|publisher=Salamanca Hoy|language=es|date=26 July 2023|accessdate=19 July 2024}} A regular starter for the side, he scored his first senior goal on 28 January 2024, netting the opener in a 3–0 home win over UE Cornellà.
On 8 July 2024, Villar signed a three-year contract with Segunda División side Albacete Balompié.{{cite web|url=https://www.albacetebalompie.es/noticias/javi-villar-nuevo-jugador-del-albacete-balompie|title=Javi Villar, nuevo jugador del Albacete Balompié|trans-title=Javi Villar, new player of Albacete Balompié|publisher=Albacete Balompié|language=es|date=8 July 2024|accessdate=19 July 2024}} He made his professional debut on 2 November, replacing Lalo Aguilar in a 1–1 away draw against Racing de Santander.
International career
In August 2021, Villar was called up to the Spain national under-19 team for two friendlies against Mexico.{{cite web|url=https://murciaplaza.com/el-murciano-javier-villar-hermano-de-gonzalo-villar-va-con-la-seleccion-espanola-sub-19|title=El murciano Javier Villar, hermano de Gonzalo Villar, va con la selección española sub-19|trans-title=Murcian Javier Villar, brother of Gonzalo Villar, goes with the Spain national under-19 team|publisher=Murcia Plaza|language=es|date=25 August 2021|accessdate=19 July 2024}} He featured in both matches as Spain won 3–2 and 5–1.
Personal life
Villar's older brother Gonzalo is also a footballer and a midfielder. He too was groomed at Elche.{{cite web|url=https://www.elespanol.com/elbernabeu/real-madrid/cantera/20211222/javi-villar-hermano-gonzalo-golazo-real-madrid/636686729_0.html|title=Javi Villar, algo más que el hermano de Gonzalo y su golazo con el Real Madrid|trans-title=Javi Villar, something more than the brother of Gonzalo and his great goal with Real Madrid|publisher=El Español|language=es|date=22 December 2021|accessdate=19 July 2024}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{BDFutbol|41332}}
- {{LaPreferente|271245}}
- {{Soccerway|javier-villar-del-fraile/783864}}
{{Albacete Balompié squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Villar, Javi}}
Category:Footballers from Murcia
Category:Spanish men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Segunda División players
Category:Primera Federación players
Category:Real Madrid Castilla footballers
Category:Unionistas de Salamanca CF players
Category:Albacete Balompié players