Manu Trigueros
{{short description|Spanish footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{family name hatnote|Trigueros|Muñoz|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Manu Trigueros
| image = Manchester United v Villarreal CF, 29 September 2021 (13) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Trigueros with Villarreal in 2021
| full_name = Manuel Trigueros Muñoz{{cite news|url=https://resultados.as.com/resultados/ficha/deportista/manu_trigueros/20402/|title=Trigueros|newspaper=Diario AS|language=Spanish|accessdate=21 April 2022}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1991|10|17|df=y}}
| birth_place = Talavera de la Reina, Spain
| position = Midfielder
| currentclub = Granada
| clubnumber = 23
| youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = Talavera
| youthyears2 = 2007–2008 | youthclubs2 = Barcelona
| youthyears3 = 2008–2010 | youthclubs3 = Murcia
| years1 = 2009–2010 | clubs1 = Murcia B | caps1 = 10 | goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2010–2011 | clubs2 = Villarreal C | caps2 = 36 | goals2 = 13
| years3 = 2011–2012 | clubs3 = Villarreal B | caps3 = 26 | goals3 = 3
| years4 = 2012–2024 | clubs4 = Villarreal | caps4 = 366 | goals4 = 25
| years5 = 2024– | clubs5 = Granada | caps5 = 28 | goals5 = 1
| totalcaps = | totalgoals =
| club-update = 31 March 2025
}}
Manuel Trigueros Muñoz (born 17 October 1991) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for {{Spanish football updater|Granada}} club Granada.
Trigueros spent the majority of his career with Villarreal, making a club record of 477 total appearances and winning the UEFA Europa League in 2021.
Club career
=Early career=
Born in Talavera de la Reina, Toledo, Castilla-La Mancha, Trigueros began playing football for his local team Talavera CF. While playing in a nationwide tournament for his autonomous community, he was courted by several leading clubs, and chose FC Barcelona; he struggled to be picked in his only year as an under-18 in La Masia.{{cite news|url=https://www.elperiodico.com/es/deportes/20170106/trigueros-villarreal-iniesta-fc-barcelona-5727431|title=Trigueros, el aprendiz de Iniesta|trans-title=Trigueros, Iniesta's apprentice|newspaper=El Periódico de Catalunya|first=David|last=Torras|language=Spanish|date=6 January 2017|accessdate=1 April 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.lavozdeltajo.com/noticia/63470/deportes/manu-trigueros-y-un-nuevo-hito-en-su-carrera.html|title=Manu Trigueros y un nuevo hito en su carrera|trans-title=Manu Trigueros and a new milestone in his career|newspaper=La Voz del Tajo|first=Víctor|last=Sanpedro|language=Spanish|date=22 February 2022|accessdate=1 April 2022}} He then moved to Real Murcia CF, making his senior debut with the reserves and being released in June 2010 following the main squad's relegation from Segunda División.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportmurcia.net/2012/11/10/de-joya-de-la-cantera-grana-a-crack-del-villarreal/|title=De joya de la cantera grana a crack en el 'submarino amarillo'|trans-title=From 'grana' youth system gem to yellow submarine star|publisher=Sport Murcia|language=Spanish|date=10 November 2012|accessdate=15 November 2012}}
=Villarreal=
Subsequently, Trigueros signed for Villarreal CF, being assigned to the C team. He made his official debut with Villarreal B on 4 June 2011, playing 30 minutes as a substitute for Fofo in a 2–1 away loss against Real Betis on the last day of the second-tier season.{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2011/06/04/futbol/2adivision/1307211690.html|title=El Betis remonta y consigue el título de campeón de Segunda|trans-title=Betis come from behind and win Segunda title|newspaper=Marca|language=Spanish|date=4 June 2011|accessdate=15 November 2012}} On 11 February 2012 he scored his first goal in a 3–1 defeat at CE Sabadell FC,{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2012/02/11/futbol/2adivision/1328999238.html|title=El Sabadell supera al Villarreal B en una gran segunda parte|trans-title=Sabadell defeat Villarreal B in a great second half|newspaper=Marca|language=Spanish|date=11 February 2012|accessdate=15 November 2012}} being relatively played during the season but suffering relegation – even though the side finished in 12th position – as the first team had also dropped down a level in La Liga.
In June 2012, Trigueros was definitely promoted to the main squad. He contributed 36 games and three goals{{cite news|url=http://www.marca.com/2012/11/03/futbol/2adivision/1351961600.html|title=El Villarreal no despega lejos de El Madrigal|trans-title=Villarreal do not take off away from El Madrigal|newspaper=Marca|language=Spanish|date=3 November 2012|accessdate=4 February 2014}}{{cite news|url=https://www.lasprovincias.es/20121117/deportes/villarreal/racing-villarreal-partido-201211171829.html|title=El Villarreal juega con el Racing en El Sardinero (0–3)|trans-title=Villarreal play with Racing at El Sardinero (0–3)|newspaper=Las Provincias|language=Spanish|date=17 November 2012|accessdate=19 October 2021}}{{cite web|url=http://www.castelloninformacion.com/villarreal-futbol-murcia-empate-trigueros/|title=Manu Trigueros salva al Villarreal de la derrota en la Nueva Condomina en el minuto 94 (1–1)|trans-title=Manu Trigueros saves Villarreal from defeat at the Nueva Condomina in the 94th-minute (1–1)|publisher=Castellón Información|language=Spanish|date=15 April 2013|accessdate=4 February 2014}} as the Yellow Submarine won instant promotion;{{cite news|url=http://www.lavozdetalavera.com/noticia/33860/Deportes/El-talaverano-Trigueros-logra-el-ascenso-a-Primera-Division-con-el-Villarreal-CF.html|title=El talaverano Trigueros logra el ascenso a Primera División con el Villarreal CF|trans-title=Talavera's own Trigueros achieves promotion to Primera División with Villarreal CF|newspaper=La Voz de Talavera|language=Spanish|date=9 June 2013|accessdate=4 February 2014}} his 15th appearance activated a clause that paid €100,000 to Murcia.{{cite news|url=https://www.laopiniondemurcia.es/deportes/2012/12/02/manu-trigueros-deja-cien-mil-31421568.html|title=Manu Trigueros deja cien mil euros en las arcas del Real Murcia|trans-title=Manu Trigueros leaves one hundred thousand euros in Real Murcia's coffers|newspaper=La Opinión de Murcia|first=Ángela|last=Moreno|language=Spanish|date=2 December 2012|accessdate=1 April 2022}}
Trigueros made his maiden appearance in the top flight on 19 August 2013, coming on as a 53rd-minute substitute for Tomás Pina in 3–2 away victory over UD Almería.{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/en/report/373216/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=null|title=Valiant Villarreal open with win|publisher=ESPN FC|date=19 August 2013|access-date=4 February 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140225193921/http://espnfc.com/en/report/373216/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=null|archive-date=25 February 2014}} As a starter, he scored his first goal in the competition, his team's second in the 3–1 home defeat of CA Osasuna on 3 February 2014.{{cite web|url=http://espnfc.com/en/report/373000/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=null|title=Perbet at the double|publisher=ESPN FC|date=3 February 2014|access-date=4 February 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140226110631/http://espnfc.com/en/report/373000/report.html?soccernet=true&cc=null|archive-date=26 February 2014}} That October, his contract was extended from 2017 to 2019;{{cite news|url=https://www.lavozdetalavera.com/noticia/38324/el-talaverano-trigueros-amplia-su-contrato-con-villarreal-hasta-2019.html|title=El talaverano Trigueros amplía su contrato con Villarreal hasta 2019|trans-title=Talavera-born Trigueros extends his contract with Villarreal until 2019|newspaper=La Voz de Talavera|language=Spanish|date=16 October 2014|accessdate=14 January 2021}} in November 2016, a new deal tied him to Villarreal until 2022.{{cite news|url=https://www.lavozdetalavera.com/noticia/45196/deportes/villarreal-cf-valora-y-premia-al-talaverano-manu-trigueros-con-la-ampliacion-de-su-contrato-hasta-2022.html|title=Villarreal CF valora y premia al talaverano Manu Trigueros con la ampliación de su contrato hasta 2022|trans-title=Villarreal CF value and reward Talavera-born Manu Trigueros with the extension of his contract until 2022|newspaper=La Voz de Talavera|language=Spanish|date=9 November 2016|accessdate=14 January 2021}}
On 21 May 2017, Trigueros scored in a 3–1 win at local rivals Valencia CF on the last day of the season, securing fifth place and qualification for the UEFA Europa League.{{cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/en/football/spanish-football/2017/05/21/5921c40e46163f0f7d8b45f4.html|title=Villarreal secure fifth place finish with Valencia win|newspaper=Marca|date=21 May 2017|accessdate=1 May 2020}} He netted his first in that continental competition on 19 October, as the team fought back for a 2–2 group stage draw with SK Slavia Prague at the Estadio de la Cerámica.{{cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/villarreal/2017/10/19/59e90550268e3eb5318b4626.html|title=Trigueros se estrena en el mejor momento|trans-title=Trigueros opens his account at the right moment|newspaper=Marca|first=M. Á.|last=Rodríguez|language=Spanish|date=19 October 2017|accessdate=1 May 2020}} On 23 December, in another derby at Mestalla, he was sent off for the first time in his career in a 1–0 victory.{{cite web|url=https://es-us.deportes.yahoo.com/noticias/villarreal-gana-valencia-allana-camino-150041068.html|title=El Villarreal gana al Valencia y allana el camino del Barça hacia la Liga|trans-title=Villarreal beat Valencia and smoothen Barça's path to the league title|publisher=Yahoo!|language=Spanish|date=23 December 2017|accessdate=1 May 2020}}
Trigueros reached 300 matches for the club on 10 November 2019, in a 3–1 away loss against RCD Mallorca.{{cite news|url=https://www.elperiodicomediterraneo.com/noticias/deportes/derrota-partido-300-manu-trigueros_1256972.html|title=Derrota en el partido 300 de Manu Trigueros|trans-title=Defeat in Manu Trigueros' 300th game|newspaper=El Periódico Mediterráneo|language=Spanish|date=11 November 2019|accessdate=1 May 2020}} In March 2021, he entered Villarreal's top three appearance makers, overtaking Marcos Senna's 363 and trailing only his contemporaries Bruno Soriano and Mario Gaspar.{{cite news|url=https://www.elperiodicomediterraneo.com/deportes/2021/03/22/trigueros-historia-villarreal-43841801.html|title=Trigueros hace historia en el Villarreal|trans-title=Trigueros makes history at Villarreal|newspaper=El Periódico Mediterráneo|language=Spanish|date=22 March 2021|accessdate=20 April 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://noticiesdigitals.com/manu-trigueros-es-puja-al-podi-de-les-llegendes-grogues/|title=Manu Trigueros es puja al podi de les llegendes grogues|trans-title=Manu Trigueros rises to the podium of yellow legends|publisher=Notícies Dígitals|language=Catalan|date=23 March 2021|accessdate=20 April 2021}} He played 14 times that season in their victorious Europa League campaign (54 in all competitions),{{cite web|url=https://castellonplaza.com/ImpecablecaminodelVillarrealalafinalsinderrotasysinsufrir|title=Impecable camino del Villarreal a la final, sin derrotas y sin sufrir|trans-title=Immaculate Villarreal run to the final, without defeats and without suffering|publisher=Castellón Plaza|language=Spanish|date=23 May 2021|accessdate=20 April 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.sport.es/es/noticias/villarreal/manu-trigueros-luz-submarino-amarillo-12990497|title=Manu Trigueros: la luz del 'submarino amarillo' hace historia en Villarreal|trans-title=Manu Trigueros: the light of the 'yellow submarine' makes history at Villarreal|newspaper=Sport|first=Maite|last=Jiménez|language=Spanish|date=16 December 2021|accessdate=21 April 2022}} scoring the opening goal of a 2–1 semi-final win over Arsenal on 29 April.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56892082|title=Villarreal 2–1 Arsenal|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 April 2021|accessdate=26 May 2021}}
In November 2021, Trigueros' link was lengthened to 2025, with him remaining a key part of manager Unai Emery's plans.{{cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/villarreal/2021/11/11/618cdff7e2704ea5608b45a0.html|title=El Villarreal renueva a Manu Trigueros hasta 2025|trans-title=Villarreal renew Manu Trigueros until 2025|newspaper=Marca|first=Víctor|last=Franch|language=Spanish|date=11 November 2021|accessdate=1 April 2022}} On 15 December, he made his 400th appearance in a 7–1 rout of Atlético Sanluqueño CF in the second round of the Copa del Rey, trailing Bruno's overall record by just 25.{{cite news|url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/villarreal/2021/12/16/61bb096446163fa1388b45a0.html|title=Trigueros hace historia en el Villarreal|trans-title=Trigueros makes history at Villarreal|newspaper=Marca|first=Víctor|last=Franch|language=Spanish|date=15 December 2021|accessdate=14 January 2022}} He took the record on 8 September 2022 in a 4–3 UEFA Europa Conference League group victory at home to Lech Poznań.{{cite news|url=https://www.elperiodicomediterraneo.com/villarreal-cf/2022/09/08/trigueros-convierte-jugador-partidos-villarreal-75207539.html|title=Trigueros se convierte en el jugador con más partidos en la historia del Villarreal: 426|trans-title=Trigueros becomes the player with the most matches in the history of Villarreal: 426|newspaper=El Periódico Mediterráneo|first=Ismael|last=Mateu|language=Spanish|date=8 September 2022|accessdate=15 December 2022}}
In 2023–24, Trigueros was more often a substitute, as the managerial hotseat revolved between Quique Setién, Pacheta and Marcelino García Toral. On 2 November, playing as an attacking midfielder for the second of those coaches, he scored his first career hat-trick in a 5–0 win away to sixth-tier Chiclana CF in the first round of the cup.{{cite news|url=https://castellonaldia.elmundo.es/deportes/villarreal-cf/un-nuevo-rol-de-trigueros-en-el-villarreal-OB17432804|title=Un nuevo rol de Trigueros en el Villarreal|trans-title=Trigueros' new role at Villarreal|newspaper=El Mundo|first=Edu|last=Chova|language=Spanish|date=4 November 2023|accessdate=5 January 2024}}
Trigueros finished his spell with 477 matches, leaving on 8 August 2024.{{cite web|url=https://villarrealcf.es/en/manu-trigueros-farewell-to-a-legend/|title=Manu Trigueros, farewell to a legend|publisher=Villarreal CF|date=8 August 2024|accessdate=8 August 2024}}
=Granada=
Hours after leaving Villarreal, Trigueros joined second-division side Granada CF on a two-year contract.{{cite web|url=https://www.granadacf.es/noticias/comunicado-oficial-or-manu-trigueros-nuevo-jugador-del-granada-cf|title=Comunicado oficial {{!}} Manu Trigueros, nuevo jugador del Granada CF|trans-title=Official announcement {{!}} Manu Trigueros, new player of Granada CF|publisher=Granada CF|language=Spanish|date=8 August 2024|accessdate=8 August 2024}}
Personal life
Both of Trigueros' parents were teachers,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/may/06/villarreal-manu-trigueros-dressing-room-classroom-qualified-teacher-arsenal|title=Villarreal’s Manu Trigueros: ‘A dressing room is harder than a classroom’|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Sid|last=Lowe|date=6 May 2021|accessdate=26 May 2021}} and he graduated in Primary Education in 2017.{{cite news|url=https://as.com/futbol/2017/07/06/primera/1499332121_053483.html|title=Manu Trigueros se gradúa en Educación Primaria|trans-title=Manu Trigueros graduates in Primary Education|newspaper=Diario AS|first=Alberto|last=Pérez Sierra|language=Spanish|date=6 July 2017|accessdate=26 May 2021}} While some sources erroneously named his alma mater as CEU San Pablo University, it was actually the Castellón de la Plana campus of a linked establishment, CEU Cardinal Herrera University.{{cite web|url=https://www.castelloninformacion.com/universidad-ceu-cardenal-herrera-reune-deportistas-relacion-educacion-deporte/|title=El CEU reúne a deportistas de competición y expertos para abordar la relación entre educación y deporte|trans-title=CEU brings together competitive sportspeople and experts to address the relation between education and sport|publisher=Castellón Información|language=Spanish|date=25 May 2021|accessdate=26 May 2021}}
Trigueros' father, also named Manuel, played in the second tier for Granada CF. His cousin Pablo, a defender, was also active at that level for SD Ponferradina.{{cite news|url=https://www.lanuevacronica.com/el-futbol-se-lleva-en-la-sangre|title=El fútbol se lleva en la sangre|trans-title=Football is carried in the blood|newspaper=La Nueva Crónica|first=Alejandro|last=Cardenal|language=Spanish|date=13 August 2018|accessdate=26 May 2021}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 15 August 2024}}{{BDFutbol|200072}}{{Soccerway|manuel-trigueros-munoz/192645}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan=2|Club !rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|Copa del Rey !colspan=2|Europe !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | |||||||||
| Division||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals||Apps||Goals | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan=3|Murcia Imperial
|rowspan=2|Segunda División B |2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 2 | 0 | |||
| 2009–10
|8 | 1 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 8 | 1 | |||
| colspan=2|Total
!10||1||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||10||1 | |||||||||
| rowspan=3|Villarreal C
|rowspan=2|Tercera División |25 | 7 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 25 | 7 | |||
| 2011–12
|11 | 6 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 11 | 6 | |||
| colspan=2|Total
!36||13||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||36||13 | |||||||||
| rowspan=3|Villarreal B
|rowspan=2|Segunda División |1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 1 | 0 | |||
| 2011–12
|25 | 3 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 25 | 3 | |||
| colspan=2|Total
!26||3||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||26||3 | |||||||||
| rowspan=13|Villarreal
|Segunda División |36 | 3 | 1 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 37 | 3 | ||
| 2013–14
|rowspan=11|La Liga |35 | 2 | 3 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 38 | 2 | ||
| 2014–15
|33 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 10{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League|name=UEL}} | 0 | colspan=2|— | 50 | 3 | |
| 2015–16
|31 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 12{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | colspan=2|— | 45 | 3 | |
| 2016–17
|37 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 5{{efn|Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, three appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League}} | 1 | colspan=2|— | 45 | 7 | |
| 2017–18
|34 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 7{{efn|name=UEL}} | 1 | colspan=2|— | 44 | 4 | |
| 2018–19
|24 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | colspan=2|— | 34 | 0 | |
| 2019–20
|29 | 2 | 2 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 31 | 2 | ||
| 2020–21
|35 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 14{{efn|name=UEL}} | 1 | colspan=2|— | 54 | 2 | |
| 2021–22
|35 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 9{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League|name=UCL}} | 1 | 1{{efn|Appearance in UEFA Super Cup|name=USC}} | 0 | 47 | 8 |
| 2022–23
|23 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa Conference League|name=UECL}} | 1 | colspan=2|— | 30 | 1 | |
| 2023–24
|14 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 5{{efn|name=UEL}} | 0 | colspan=2|— | 22 | 3 | |
| colspan=2|Total
!366||25||37||8||73||5||1||0||477||38 | |||||||||
| Granada
|Segunda División |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| colspan=3|Career total
!439||42||37||8||73||5||1||0||550||55 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Villarreal
- UEFA Europa League: 2020–21{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57224112|title=Villarreal 1–1 Manchester United|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Simon|last=Stone|date=26 May 2021|accessdate=26 May 2021}}
Individual
- UEFA La Liga Team of the Season: 2016–17{{cite news|url=http://futbol.as.com/futbol/2017/05/22/primera/1495474276_384251.html|title=Once ideal de LaLiga para UEFA: 4 del Madrid, 3 del Barça...|trans-title=UEFA's LaLiga All-Star XI: 4 from Madrid, 3 from Barça...|newspaper=Diario AS|language=Spanish|date=22 May 2017|accessdate=21 November 2017}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [https://villarrealcf.es/en/player/manu-trigueros/ Villarreal official profile]
- {{BDFutbol|200072}}
- {{Soccerbase|59688}}
{{Granada CF squad}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Trigueros, Manu}}
Category:Sportspeople from Talavera de la Reina
Category:Spanish men's footballers
Category:Footballers from the Province of Toledo
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Segunda División players
Category:Segunda División B players
Category:Tercera División players
Category:Real Murcia Imperial players
Category:Villarreal CF C players
Category:Villarreal CF B players
Category:Villarreal CF players
Category:Granada CF footballers