Villarreal CF have promoted Carlos Maciá, Rubén Gómez and Alassane Diatta to their first-team squad. The club confirmed on Tuesday that the three academy graduates will wear first-team numbers for the 2026/27 season, as reported by El Periódico Mediterráneo.
Midfielder Carlos Maciá, 20, will wear the number 16 shirt. Goalkeeper Rubén Gómez, 19, takes the number 13. Defender Alassane Diatta, 21, will occupy the number 5. All three players have come through the club's famed 'Cantera Grogueta' and will now be part of head coach Iñigo Pérez's plans.
What squad numbers will they wear?
The assignment of first-team numbers solidifies their promotion. Carlos Maciá inherits the number 16, a shirt that has seen rotation in the squad in recent seasons. Rubén Gómez secures the number 13, traditionally reserved for the third-choice goalkeeper at the club. For Alassane Diatta, the number 5 shirt carries significant weight as an iconic number for a centre-back.
This triple promotion comes during a season where Villarreal are looking to solidify their project. The team currently sits sixth in LaLiga EA Sports with 10 points from five matches. You can see the full league table on our standings page.
How do they fit into the current squad?
The arrival of Maciá, Gómez and Diatta adds depth to key areas. Maciá provides a creative alternative in central midfield, a zone where the squad features players like Dani Parejo and Francis Coquelin. Rubén Gómez becomes the third option in goal, behind Filip Jørgensen and Iker Álvarez.
Alassane Diatta bolsters the central defence, which has seen the departures of Eric Bailly and Aïssa Mandi in recent years. His promotion is a direct response to the need for cover and to give minutes to homegrown talent. The complete squad list, with all ins and outs, is available in our squad section.
What does this say about the club's philosophy?
This move reinforces Villarreal's commitment to its academy. Over the past decade, players like Yeremy Pino, Álex Baena and Pau Torres have progressed from the youth setup to the starting eleven. Promoting three players at once underscores a model that prioritises internal growth.
The club has invested heavily in its training facilities, considered among the best in Spain. This commitment to development translates into real opportunities for young talents. The first team's next test is on Sunday, 6 September, an away trip to face Real Betis at the Benito Villamarín. All fixtures and opponents are on our fixtures schedule.
Iñigo Pérez has shown trust in the academy players during pre-season. The decision to integrate them officially comes just before the transfer window closes, sending a clear message about faith in the long-term project. Carlos Maciá signed his last professional contract with the club in 2025.
