Be honest. When you think of La Liga, three teams – Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid – come to mind.
Dig a bit deeper, and you'll probably consider Valencia, Sevilla and maybe Villarreal. It will probably take a while before arrive at Celta de Vigo. Indeed, Celta aren't among Spain's most historically significantly clubs. Not even close.
They've won the Spanish second division three times and finished runners-up in the Copa del Rey on three occasions. It's not much to write home about. However, if not for their trophy count, Celta deserve more recognition for the remarkably long list of extremely famous and accomplished players who’ve passed through their ranks over recent years.
Here are 6 of the best.
1. Rodrigo
Celta period: 2005-2009
Current club: Leeds United
Record transfer: £27m (to Leeds United)
Brazil-born Rodrigo moved to Spain in his early teens (and ultimately decided to play internationally for Spain) and was given a shot at a career in football by Celta's academy. After a worthwhile four-year education at Celta, he was snapped up at the age of 18 by Real Madrid.
After two seasons with Real Madrid's B and C sides, Rodrigo went on to play for Benfica, for whom he thrived (when he wasn't on loan to Bolton Wanderers). In 2015, a second loan spell became a permanent move, to Valencia. He starred for five seasons in Valencia before joining the Marcelo Bielsa-led revolution at Leeds United in 2020. To date, he has bagged seven goals across 29 matches in all competitions for the club.
2. Diego Costa
Celta period: 2007-2008
Current club: Atlético Mineiro
Record transfer: £32m (to Chelsea)
Another Brazil-born Spain international, Diego Costa, spent the 2007-08 campaign on loan at Celta from Atletico Madrid. In fact, all three forwards in Spain's 2018 World Cup squad (Costa, Rodrigo and Iago Aspas) played for Celta in 2007-08.
Costa scored six goals in 31 appearances for Celta in the Segunda Division, before going on to star for Atletico Madrid, and later for three years at Chelsea, before returning to Atletico.
3. David Silva
Celta period: 2005-2006
Current club: Real Sociedad
Record transfer: £24m (to Man City)
Just about every English football fan will be familiar with David Silva. The Spanish magician graced the Premier League for a decade before returning home in 2020, to join Real Sociedad.
However, most won't be aware that Silva, at the time a Valencia player, spent the 2005-06 season on loan at Celta, scoring four goals in 34 appearances. He's since gone on to become one of the best playmakers in Europe, won four Premier League titles, two European Championships, a World Cup, and the undying admiration of his countryman and now-former manager, Pep Guardiola.
“What he has done is incredible, fantastic,” the Man City head coach said. “Not just for the game today, for the last 10 years. What we want is for the people to come back to the Etihad for a game for him as one of the legends of the club.”
“In the small spaces, he is maybe the best I have seen. As I say, the way he works in the pockets, is incredible. The young players learn from David by example, not by the words.”
4. Claude Makélélé
Celta period: 1998-2000
Current club: Technical mentor at Chelsea
Record transfer: £16.8m (to Chelsea)
It's not often a player effectively re-brands a position as his own, but such was one Frenchman's impact on the game. However, though most fans equate the birth of the “Makélélé Role” with the stalwart midfielder time at Real Madrid, whom he joined in 2000, the role was, in fact, actually defined – and refined – at Celta, where Makélélé made 86 appearances over two seasons, before departing for the Spanish capital.
Three years later, Makélélé joined Chelsea and became a vital cog in Jose Mourinho’s unstoppable machine. He is now back at Stamford Bridge, as a youth coach and technical mentor.
5. Jordi Cruyff
Celta period: 1999
Current club: Technical director at Barcelona
Record transfer: £1.4m (to Man United)
Being the son of one of football's true legends was always going to make things difficult for Jordi Cruyff. It must be said, however, that the former midfielder's career did include stints with two of Europe's biggest clubs: Manchester United and Barcelona.
Towards the end of his time at Old Trafford, Cruyff was loaned to Celta, where he scored two goals in nine matches. Subsequent spells in Spain, with Alavés and Espanyol, and sides in Ukraine and Malta followed, before Cruyff retired in 2010. He's since coached in China and Israel and the Ecuador national side, before assuming his current role, as technical director at FC Barcelona.
6. Sylvinho
Celta period: 2001-2004
Current club: Manager of Corinthians
Record transfer: £3.3m (to Celta Vigo)
Sylvinho made a combined 88 appearances in England for Arsenal and Manchester City in England, but he truly made his mark in Spain.
The Brazil international was one of Celta’s stand-out players between 2001-2004. Those efforts earned him a move to Barcelona, where he enjoyed the most successful spell of his career, winning three La Liga titles and a pair of Champions Leagues. He's since taken to management as well. His first spell in charge, with Lyon, lasted just five months before he was sacked in October 2019. Since May 2021, he's been back in Brazil, coaching with his boyhood club, Corinthians.