Alberto Moleiro demonstrates confidence prior to the upcoming Under-21 match against England: "We harbor no doubts about our capabilities."
Alberto Moleiro's Big-Money Move to Villarreal
The whopping €16 million transfer fee (with potential add-ons) for Alberto Moleiro to join Villarreal marks the most significant outlay the Castellón club has ever made for a midfielder. If classified as a forward, it'd be amongst the top six expensive attackers in the club's history. The Canarian player is ecstatic about this move and looks forward to facing the Spanish Under-21 team this Saturday in the quarter-finals of the European Championship against England.
Boasting confidence in La Rojita's victory against the current champions, Moleiro acknowledges the team's cohesiveness and the high stakes involved as "we are Spain, and we have to win all the games."
"We are Spain, and we have to win all the games"
Shining as a substitute in the first two matches against Slovakia and Romania, Moleiro's performance as a starter in the third match against Italy was remarkable. He set up the play that led to Jesús Rodríguez's goal against Italy and is a vital asset to a team aiming to advance in the tournament.
Thriving in the team's positive atmosphere during the European Under-21 Championship in Slovakia, Moleiro underscores the squad's faith in their winning potential, despite England being a formidable opponent.
"We have zero doubts in our possibilities"
A force to be reckoned with when it comes to controlling the game, Moleiro shared his comfort playing in any position but prefers being "in contact with the ball" and "associating inside" to potentially hurt the opposing team.
Expressing excitement about joining Villarreal, Moleiro views it as a stepping stone towards a promising future and wishes UD Las Palmas luck, a club and fanbase that he fondly remembers.
England: A Stubborn Challenger
Facing Spain, England qualified despite a 1-2 loss to Germany but managed to secure their spot thanks to a 3-1 win against the Czech Republic and a goalless draw against Slovenia, the replay of the last final of the European Under-21 Championship, which England won (1-0).
England has won eight out of its last ten final phase matches in the European Championship, posing a tough challenge for Santi Denia's team. With four goals scored by Charlie Cresswell, Harvey Elliott, Jonathan Rowe, and Alex Scott, the English team seems to be a tough nut to crack.
The young Ethan Nwaneri, aged 18, is one of England's valuable assets, although he hasn't dominated the previous three matches. Moleiro and his Spanish teammates will have their work cut out for them to overcome this formidable opposition.
Born on September 30, 2003, in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Alberto Moleiro is a talented young attacking midfielder/winger. Known for his vision, dribbling skills, and ability to break defensive lines, his previous performances for UD Las Palmas have caught the attention of various clubs. In the summer of 2025, he transferred to Villarreal CF on a five-year deal, marking a significant step in his career.
Regarded as Villarreal’s first major signing for the upcoming season, the club sees Moleiro as an essential addition to their squad. His creativity, versatility, and potential to fill gaps left by possible departures such as Alex Baena are seen as vital to Villarreal’s strategy of strengthening their squad for both La Liga and European competitions.
Currently, Moleiro is a key player for Spain’s Under-21 team, participating in the European Championship in Slovakia. His performances at this level have been noteworthy, earning him recognition as a high-potential player with the potential to advance to the senior national team.
"Alberto Moleiro is excited about his move to Villarreal, a stepping stone towards a promising future in football."
"England, with their formidable opponents and impressive performance, will pose a tough challenge for Moleiro and Spain in the quarter-finals of the European Championship."
