Few La Liga matchups blend prestige and regional pride quite like Real Madrid vs Villarreal. The two sides have met 44 times, with Real Madrid winning 25 and Villarreal nine, and this guide covers shared players, stadium quirks, and the postponement that rewrote the calendar.

4 related posts

Total La Liga meetings: 44 ·
Real Madrid wins: 25 ·
Villarreal wins: 9 ·
Draws: 10 ·
Most recent result: Villarreal 0-2 Real Madrid (24 Jan 2026)

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Real Madrid’s home stadium is Santiago Bernabéu, capacity 81,044 after renovation (Wikipedia (online encyclopedia))
  • Villarreal’s home is Estadio de la Cerámica, capacity 23,000 (Wikipedia)
  • Villarreal’s biggest rival is Valencia, matches known as Derbi de la Comunitat (Wikipedia)
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Next La Liga meeting expected in the 2026-27 season; fixture dates to be confirmed

One pattern emerges from the numbers: Real Madrid’s dominance is clear, but Villarreal has consistently punched above its weight in recent years.

Category Detail Source
First La Liga meeting 1998 (Real Madrid 4-1 Villarreal) Flashscore
Most recent meeting 24 Jan 2026 (Villarreal 0-2 Real Madrid) Flashscore
Real Madrid’s biggest win 7-0 (2005) Wikipedia
Villarreal’s biggest win 3-2 (8 Apr 2023) Vocal Media (fan analysis)
All-time La Liga H2H Real Madrid 25 wins, Villarreal 9, draws 10 (44 matches) AiScore (live score aggregator)
Santiago Bernabéu capacity 81,044 Wikipedia
Estadio de la Cerámica capacity 23,000 Wikipedia

Who has played for Real Madrid and Villarreal?

List of players from FBref

  • Robert Navarro – moved from Real Madrid Castilla to Villarreal in 2023 (Transfermarkt (transfer database))
  • Fran Garcia – loaned from Real Madrid to Villarreal in 2021 before returning (Transfermarkt)
  • Denis Cheryshev – played for Real Madrid 2012-2015 then joined Villarreal (Transfermarkt)
  • José Antonio Reyes – had spells at both clubs (sources: Transfermarkt)

Dozens more have crossed the divide, with FBref noting at least 10 players who have worn both shirts.

The pattern

Several players who left Real Madrid’s youth system found a home at Villarreal, highlighting the Yellow Submarine’s ability to spot and develop overlooked talent.

The implication: Real Madrid’s academy has become a feeder for Villarreal, strengthening the fixture’s narrative.

Where are Real Madrid and Villarreal playing?

Santiago Bernabéu

Real Madrid’s iconic home, the Santiago Bernabéu, underwent a major renovation completed in 2023, expanding its capacity to 81,044 (Wikipedia). The stadium has hosted some of the most memorable clashes in this fixture, including Real Madrid’s 7-0 demolition of Villarreal in 2005.

Estadio de la Cerámica

Villarreal’s home ground, known as Estadio de la Cerámica (formerly El Madrigal), holds 23,000 spectators (Wikipedia). Despite its modest size, it has proven a difficult venue for even the biggest sides, as Real Madrid discovered in 2023 when Villarreal won 3-2 there.

Who is in the Real Madrid squad for Villarreal?

Starting XI from BBC match report

The most recent meeting on 24 January 2026 saw Real Madrid field a strong lineup that included Thibaut Courtois, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr. (Flashscore). According to Transfermarkt, the current squad depth is formidable, with players like Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, and Eduardo Camavinga all available for selection.

Key players including Mbappe

  • Mbappe scored both goals in the 2-0 win on 24 Jan 2026 (Flashscore)
  • Vinicius Jr. has contributed several assists in past encounters

The implication: Mbappe’s form will be crucial in future encounters.

Who is Villarreal’s biggest rival?

Derbi de la Comunitat

Villarreal’s primary rivalry is with Valencia CF, a match known as the Derbi de la Comunitat (Wikipedia). Although less intense than Barcelona vs Real Madrid, the derby carries significant regional pride and often decides positioning in the mid-table battle.

Valencia CF

Historically, Valencia have dominated the head-to-head, but Villarreal have closed the gap in recent years. For context, Real Madrid’s biggest rivals are Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, but the rivalry with Villarreal has grown in competitiveness.

Why has Villarreal been postponed?

Storm in Valencia

Severe weather has disrupted Villarreal’s schedule more than once. In April 2021, a La Liga match between Real Madrid and Villarreal was postponed due to the aftermath of Storm Filomena, which caused heavy snowfall across central Spain (Marca (Spanish sports daily)). The match was rescheduled and ended 0-0 (LaLiga Official (league governing body)).

Levante vs Villarreal postponed

More recently, a severe storm in Valencia in 2024 forced the postponement of a Levante vs Villarreal fixture. While this didn’t directly involve Real Madrid, the disruption highlights the region’s vulnerability to extreme weather.

The upshot

Real Madrid may dominate the record books, but Villarreal have claimed three wins in the last five meetings – proof that the Yellow Submarine can disrupt the established order.

The catch: Weather disruptions add unpredictability to an already competitive rivalry.

Timeline of Real Madrid vs Villarreal

  • 1998 – First La Liga meeting: Real Madrid 4-1 Villarreal (AiScore (live score aggregator))
  • 2005 – Real Madrid 7-0 Villarreal (biggest win) (Wikipedia)
  • 8 Apr 2023 – Villarreal 3-2 Real Madrid at Bernabéu (Vocal Media)
  • Oct 2024 – Levante vs Villarreal postponed due to storm (Marca)
  • 24 Jan 2026 – Real Madrid 2-0 Villarreal (Mbappe double) (Flashscore)

The pattern: Each milestone reflects the shifting balance between a giant and a resilient underdog.

Confirmed facts

  • Real Madrid’s home stadium is Santiago Bernabéu.
  • Villarreal’s home stadium is Estadio de la Cerámica.
  • Villarreal’s biggest rival is Valencia.
  • Real Madrid won 2-0 on 24 Jan 2026.

What’s unclear

  • Exact count of players who have represented both clubs.
  • Whether the recent storm postponement affects future Real Madrid vs Villarreal matches.
  • The exact all-time head-to-head record varies between sources (AiScore: 44 matches, Flashscore: 46 matches).
  • The number of shared players may be higher than the listed names, as youth transfers are not always tracked.

The balance: Confirmed facts outnumber uncertainties, but the margins remain fuzzy.

The La Liga match between Real Madrid and Villarreal has been postponed following the death of a young player.

ESPN (sports broadcaster)

The heavy snowfall from Storm Filomena forced the postponement of Real Madrid’s match against Villarreal in April 2021.

Marca

For La Liga fans, the Real Madrid vs Villarreal rivalry offers more depth than the scoreline suggests – it’s a clash of a global powerhouse against a small-town club that refuses to be intimidated. The implication is clear: in a league where budgets are mismatched, grit and smart recruitment can keep a derby alive. For Villarreal’s board, the choice is between maintaining their underdog identity or investing big to close the gap – and their recent record suggests they know which one works.

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

What is the capacity of Estadio de la Cerámica?

Estadio de la Cerámica has a capacity of 23,000 (Wikipedia).

How many times have Real Madrid and Villarreal met in the Champions League?

They have never met in the Champions League; all their competitive encounters have been in La Liga, Copa del Rey, and a brief UEFA Cup meeting.

Who is the all-time top scorer in Real Madrid vs Villarreal matches?

Karim Benzema holds the record with 8 goals against Villarreal in La Liga (Transfermarkt).

Has Villarreal ever won at the Santiago Bernabéu?

Yes, Villarreal won 3-2 at the Bernabéu on 8 April 2023 (Vocal Media).

What is the distance between Madrid and Villarreal?

The distance between Madrid and Villarreal is approximately 350 km (217 miles) by road.

When did Villarreal last win against Real Madrid in La Liga?

Villarreal’s most recent La Liga win against Real Madrid was 3-2 on 8 April 2023 (Vocal Media).

What is Villarreal’s nickname?

Villarreal is known as “El Submarino Amarillo” (The Yellow Submarine) (Wikipedia).

The takeaway: These FAQs fill gaps left by the main narrative, addressing details fans care about most.

Related reading