From Mareo to Mestalla: Diego López's Emotional Cup Homecoming Awaits
Valencia's 'Guajín' Diego López follows in the footsteps of Eloy Olaya and David Villa as former Sporting players returning to El Molinón in Valencia colours
The Sporting-Valencia Pipeline Continues
When the Copa del Rey draw pitted Valencia against Sporting Gijón, one player must have felt a proper mix of emotions. Diego López – affectionately nicknamed ‘Guajín’ – will return to where it all began, though wearing the white and black of Los Che rather than the red and white stripes of his boyhood club.
The young talent represents the latest chapter in a fascinating connection between the Asturian club’s famed Mareo academy and Valencia CF – following a path previously trodden by some proper Valencia legends.
The Sporting-Valencia Alumni Association
While López’s career is still in its early stages compared to his predecessors, his journey mirrors two significant Valencia figures who also emerged from Sporting’s youth system:
- Eloy Olaya (Valencia 1988-94) – The diminutive attacker helped restore Valencia to European competition after their mid-80s relegation
- David Villa (Valencia 2005-10) – ‘El Guaje’ became a Valencia icon, winning the Copa del Rey and later lifting the World Cup while on Valencia’s books
Bittersweet Homecomings
Both Olaya and Villa experienced that strange sensation of scoring against their former club at El Molinón:
- Olaya netted for Valencia in a 1-1 draw during the 1989-90 season, showing respect to the Gijón faithful after scoring
- Villa scored in a thrilling 3-2 Valencia victory at El Molinón in the 2008-09 campaign
Interestingly, both players also managed to score against Sporting when the Asturians visited Mestalla – Olaya bagging a brace in a 3-1 win in 1991-92.
López’s Roundabout Route
Diego López’s path to Valencia wasn’t direct. Despite his promise at Mareo, he left Gijón prematurely for Real Madrid’s youth setup. When that didn’t work out, he had a stint at Barcelona’s La Masia before finally finding his feet at Valencia’s Paterna academy.
Now established as a first-team regular, the upcoming cup tie offers López a chance to write his own chapter in this curious sporting connection – though whether he’ll join the scoring club remains to be seen.
Not every former Sporting player has managed to net on their return – Miguel Ángel Angulo, another Mareo graduate who represented Valencia, played at El Molinón in December 1997 but couldn’t find the back of the onion bag.
For López, regardless of the result, the fixture represents a proper full circle moment in his young career. From Mareo prospect to Valencia regular, the Copa del Rey has delivered a homecoming that’s sure to be emotional for the ‘Guajín’.