José Luis Gayá: A Captain’s Crucial Goals

José Luis Gayá may not score frequently, but when he does, it often has a significant impact. His goals tend to set a direction or establish a trend, particularly in critical situations where the team’s performance is under scrutiny. This was evident once again in Getafe, where he found the net in the 83rd minute, securing three crucial points that help the team avoid slipping into the relegation zone.

A look back at Gayá’s historical goal contributions reveals that many of his strikes come at pivotal moments, embodying the qualities of a true captain. These are the essential goals scored during tense or challenging circumstances that uplift the team’s spirit and performance.

For instance, during the final stretch of the 2016-17 season, Valencia faced Espanyol in Cornellà. The match was locked at 0-0 until Gayá scored in the 86th minute, leading his team to a vital victory, gifting them two much-needed points.

In the 2018-19 season, Valencia found themselves trailing 0-1 against Leganés at Mestalla. In a critical moment, Gayá equalized in the 85th minute, salvaging a point during a challenging phase of the season under Marcelino.

The 2020-21 campaign saw Gayá shine again as he netted the equalizer against Alavés in the 89th minute, preventing a home defeat.

During the 2021-22 season, with the team behind 1-2 against Mallorca in stoppage time, Gayá emerged once more, scoring the equalizer in the 95th minute to earn a point for Valencia.

In addition to these crucial goals, Gayá has also contributed in other matches, scoring in domestic cup competitions against Barakaldo nearly a decade ago, against Cádiz in league play two seasons ago, and netting his first goal for Valencia against Córdoba in 2014.