The 10 best Left backs in the world (Part 6) - Joan Capdevila
Joan Capdevila i Mendez or Joan Capdevila in short, is a Spanish football player currently on the Pay cheque of Spanish La Liga outfit Villarreal FC. Capdevila was born on 3rd February 1978 in Tarrega region of Catalunya.
Joan has been a prodigious player ever since he was young and his talent has not gone unnoticed. Catalan outfit RCD Espanyol took the youngster into their youth academy at a very young age. It was at Estadi Cornellà-El Prat where Capdevila took his first
footballing lessons. At the tender age of 19, Capdevila made his debut for Espanyol in the first team. In his first full season with Blanquiblaus, Capdevila managed to score four goals in 29 appearances. Four goals for a defender are a good return by any stretch
of imagination and Atletico Madrid duly signed the youngster the following season.
Joan continued his good from with Atletico and managed a further 31 appearances in the 1999/2000 season. However, Capdevila’s good form wasn’t enough to steer Los Rojiblancos away from relegation. Capdevila was too good for the hardships of Spanish second
division and Deportivo La Coruna approached Atletico for the player’s services. Deportivo were a rising force at the start of the millennium and Capdevila was a welcome addition to a squad that was challenging for honours. Capdevila had developed his game
by now and the player was equally adept at both left back and left wing positions.
With Super Depor struggling to match their previous accomplishments and financial woes crippling the club, Capdevila was forced to move clubs. The Spanish International was a loyal servant to Branquiazuis for seven years and indeed he is still wildly adored
by Depor.
In the summer of 2007, Capdevila was signed by a rising outfit in Villarreal. The yellow submarines finished runner-ups in the league that season and Capdevila was pivotal to their success with his forays from the back. The following season went even better
for the Catalan player as he scored an impressive five goals while assisting in a hatful. The player was like a soldier at the back and even the silkiest of wingers found it hard to get past him. By this time Capdevila had become the undoubted number one for
the Spanish National team. The player, owing much to his ruthless consistency, was a favourite under Luis Aragones as La Furia Roja won the Euro 2008. Capdevila missed just a single game for the eventual champions. The Villarreal wingback formed a water tight
defence alongside Carlos Puyol, Carlos Marchena and Sergio Ramos.
Despite turning 32 earlier this year, Capdevila was in supreme condition physically at the World Cup. Yellow submarine’s fullback played all the minutes for the La Furia as they recorded an unprecedented world cup triumph in Spanish history.
Capdevila’s consistency and quality has won him many admirers. FC Barcelona and Real Madrid both tried to sign the player. Even though a move never materialised, interest from such mighty opponents is a testimony to the player’s ability. Capdevila might
not be the flashiest of players. He might not have the searing pace of Patrice Evra or Ashley Cole, but there are a few defenders harder to beat. Capdevila is fundamental to both the Spanish national team and Villarreal. With the best years almost past him,
Capdevila still remains one of the best in the business. When the player hangs up his boots a few years from now, he will look back at a career that was not built around sheer talent, rather a ‘never say die’ attitude and tireless hard work; traits that should
be truly cherished.
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