Javier Baraja


Javier Baraja Vegas is a Spanish retired footballer who played as a defensive midfielder or a central defender, and the manager of Real Valladolid B.
He spent most of his professional career with Valladolid, appearing in 229 competitive games and playing six La Liga seasons with the club.

Playing career

Born in Valladolid, Castile and León, and a product of hometown Real Valladolid's youth system, Baraja's first appearance in La Liga was on 26 August 2001 as he played 17 minutes in a 0–4 away loss against Deportivo de La Coruña. He only featured in one more match in that first season, totalling just 107 minutes of action.
After stints in Segunda División, appearing scarcely with Getafe CF in two years and spending one season with Málaga CF's reserves, Baraja returned to Valladolid in 2005–06. He played 28 times as the club returned to the top flight the following campaign.
Relatively used during the 2007–08 and 2008–09 seasons, Baraja scored his first goal for Valladolid on 13 September 2008, netting a penalty in a 2–1 home win over Atlético Madrid. He experienced a further two top-flight relegations with them until his retirement at the age of 34, adding one promotion in 2012 and often acting as team captain.

Coaching career

On 23 May 2019, Baraja was appointed the new manager of Valladolid's reserves in Segunda División B, replacing Miguel Rivera who had stepped down two days earlier.

Personal life

Baraja's older brother, Rubén, was also a footballer. The midfielder was also groomed at Valladolid but played mainly for Valencia CF, and collected nearly 50 caps for Spain.

Managerial statistics

Honours

Valladolid
Spain U16