Javi Guerra (footballer, born 2003)

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Guerra and the second or maternal family name is Moreno.

Javi Guerra
Guerra after the match vs Sevilla FC in 2023
Personal information
Full name Javier Guerra Moreno[1]
Date of birth (2003-05-13) 13 May 2003[1]
Place of birth Gilet, Spain
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Valencia
Number 8
Youth career
2011–2019 Villarreal
2019–2021 Valencia
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2023 Valencia B 49 (1)
2023– Valencia 82 (8)
International career‡
2021 Spain U19 2 (0)
2023– Spain U21 21 (2)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 27 May 2025
‡ National team caps and goals as of 14:26, 20 June 2025 (UTC)

Javier "Javi" Guerra Moreno (born 13 May 2003) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for La Liga club Valencia.

Club career

Guerra was born in Gilet, Valencian Community, and joined Valencia CF's academy in 2019, from Villarreal CF.[3] On 14 May 2021, he signed his first professional contract, with Valencia, until 2024.[4][5]

Guerra made his senior debut with the reserves on 23 May 2021, coming on as a late substitute for Koba Koindredi in a 1–1 Segunda División B away draw against CE L'Hospitalet, as his side were already relegated. He made his first team debut the following 16 January, replacing fellow youth graduate Hugo Guillamón late into a 1–0 Copa del Rey win over CD Atlético Baleares.[6]

Guerra made his professional – and La Liga – debut on 16 April 2023, replacing Samu Castillejo in a 2–0 home loss against Sevilla FC. Eleven days later, he scored a last-minute winner in a 2–1 home success over Real Valladolid, just minutes after coming on as a substitute.[7]

In May 2023, Guerra further extended his link with the Che until 2027,[8] and was definitely promoted to the main squad ahead of the 2023–24 season.[9] He started the new campaign by scoring the winning goal in the 88th minute in a 2–1 win at Sevilla FC on 11 August, coming on as a substitute in the 66th minute.[10]

In August 2025, Guerra extended his contract for four seasons, keeping him at the club until June 2029.[11]

International career

Guerra was called up to the Spain U19 squad in August 2021, making just two appearances with them.[12]

Guerra received his first call-up to the Spain U21 in September 2023.[13] He made his debut in a 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualification match against Malta.[14] From that point on, he became a regular starter and a key player under manager Santi Denia.[15]

In 2025, Guerra was included in the squad for the 2025 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.[16] He served as the team's second captain and wore the captain’s armband during the match against hosts Slovakia, after first captain Beñat Turrientes was substituted early.[17] Guerra played the full 90 minutes in Spain's second Group A match against Romania, where he was named Player of the Match.[18] He scored his only goal of the tournament from the penalty spot in the quarter-final against England. Spain were eliminated following a 3–1 defeat.[19]

Playing style

Guerra is a talented midfielder who can play either in a holding or more advanced position in the midfield. He covers long distances, has a great short game, is great at delivering through balls and has great tackling skills.[2] He also known for his technical ability and long-range shooting, often posing a threat to goalkeepers from distance with powerful and accurate shots from both feet. He has scored several notable goals from outside the box, showcasing his shooting precision.[20]

Miguel Ángel Angulo, Guerra's coach during his time with Valencia's reserve team, described his tactical versatility: "It depends on the game. If you're dominating possession at home, with the opponent sitting back, a technical number 'six' like him fits well. But in other, more physical matches, he can operate better as an 'eight'."[21]

Career statistics

As of match played 12 July 2025[22]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Copa del Rey Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Valencia B 2020–21 Segunda División B 1 0 — 1 0
2021–22 Tercera División RFEF 23 0 — 23 0
2022–23 Segunda Federación 25 1 — 25 1
Total 49 1 — 49 1
Valencia 2021–22 La Liga 0 0 1 0 1 0
2022–23 La Liga 10 1 0 0 10 1
2023–24 La Liga 36 4 4 0 40 4
2024–25 La Liga 36 3 2 0 38 3
Total 82 8 7 0 89 8
Career total 131 8 7 0 138 9

Honours

Individual

References

  1. ^ a b "Javi Guerra (ESP)". UEFA. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  2. ^ a b "El Barça se fija en Javi Guerra" [Barça target Javi Guerra]. Marca (in Spanish). 1 December 2022.
  3. ^ "Javi Guerra, el valioso todocampista de Gilet" [Javi Guerra, the precious all-round midfielder from Gilet]. Cadena COPE (in Spanish). 19 April 2023.
  4. ^ "Javi Guerra toca la puerta del primer equipo y de la renovación" [Javi Guerra knocks the door of the first team and of the renewal]. Valencia Plaza (in Spanish). esportbase media. 12 December 2022.
  5. ^ "El Valencia CF renueva a una de los futbolistas con más proyección de su cantera" [Valencia CF renew one of the footballers with the most projection of their youth setup] (in Spanish). Golsmedia. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
  6. ^ "#CopadelRey | Mosquera, octavo más joven en la historia, y Javi Guerra debutan con Valencia" [#CopadelRey | Mosquera, eight-youngest in history, and Javi Guerra debuted with Valencia]. Valencia Plaza (in Spanish). Plaza Deportiva. 16 January 2022.
  7. ^ "Bendita locura de Javi Guerra" [Javi Guerra's holy madness]. Diario AS (in Spanish). 27 April 2023.
  8. ^ "Javi Guerra: "It's a dream come true"". Valencia CF. 16 May 2023. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Javi Guerra, imprescindible en la medular" [Javi Guerra, essential in the midfield] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 19 July 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
  10. ^ "Sevilla vs. Valencia Game Highlights". 11 August 2023.
  11. ^ "OFFICIAL STATEMENT: JAVI GUERRA". Valencia CF. 9 August 2025. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
  12. ^ "Dos jugadores del Valencia CF en la convocatoria de la Selección española sub19" [Two Valencia CF players in the call-up of the Spain under-19 national team] (in Spanish). Valencia Base. 25 August 2021.
  13. ^ "Javi Guerra aparta su timidez para sacar "el orgullo de dejar en buen nivel al Valencia"" [Javi Guerra puts aside his shyness to express "the pride of leaving Valencia in a good position."]. El Desmarque (in Spanish). 15 October 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  14. ^ "Javi Guerra sueña en grande con la Selección" [Javi Guerra dreams big with the national team]. Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) (in Spanish). 15 October 2023. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  15. ^ "Javi Guerra, el único internacional sub 21 que ha jugado los últimos veinte partidos" [Javi Guerra, the only U21 international who has played the last twenty matches]. Plaza Deportiva (in Spanish). 18 June 2025. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  16. ^ "Javi Guerra coge la 'manija' de la Selección Sub-21" [Javi Guerra takes over the reins of the U-21 national team]. Super Deporte (in Spanish). 11 June 2025. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  17. ^ "Javi Guerra, MVP de la 'Rojita' ante Rumanía" [Javi Guerra, MVP of 'La Rojita' against Romania]. Levante: El Mercatil Valenciano (in Spanish). 15 June 2025. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  18. ^ "Javi Guerra, el MVP del partido ante Rumania del Europeo Sub-21" [Javi Guerra, MVP of the match against Romania at the U-21 European Championship]. Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) (in Spanish). 15 June 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  19. ^ "2025 Under-21 quarterfinal: Spain 1-3 England". UEFA. 22 June 2025. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  20. ^ "Javi Guerra: The Mestalla Product Shining for Valencia". Breaking the Lines. 1 April 2024. Retrieved 26 July 2025.
  21. ^ "Un ciclón llamado Javi Guerra: golazos, referente y... ¡Siestas de 2 horas!" [A cyclone called Javi Guerra: great goals, a role model, and... 2-hour naps!]. Relevo (in Spanish). 19 September 2023. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  22. ^ Javi Guerra at Soccerway. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  23. ^ "Javi Guerra, Named Best Player in Group III of Segunda Federación 22-23 Season by the Spanish Footballers' Association". Valencia CF. 7 November 2023.
  24. ^ "Javi Guerra named LALIGA EA SPORTS Under-23 Player of the Month for September". La Liga. 6 October 2023. Retrieved 6 October 2023.
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