The Valencia CF player poker in the Sub-21 selection

The recent call of four players from Valencia CF—Cristhian Mosquera, Javi Guerra, Diego López and César Tárrega—for the Spanish team Sub-21, who are preparing for the friendly March 2025 against the Czech Republic (March 21) and Germany (March 25), has caused a great stir in the Valencian Community and the Spanish football world. This ” valencianista poker”, which has been featured in covers such as Supersport, not only full of pride to the club and its followers, but also highlights the rebirth of Paterna quarry, recognized as one of the most productive in Spain in the formation of new talents. Below is a detailed analysis of these players, their impact on the sport and the viral phenomenon that has emerged around this news to date, March 25, 2025.

Context of the news

The Sub-21 selection, under the direction of Santi Denia, has already secured its place in the European 2025 after an impressive 2024, which includes an Olympic gold in Paris and nine victories in ten qualifying matches. Now, they prepare for these friendly as part of their training for the tournament in Slovakia. An interesting fact is that four Valencia CF players are on the list, announced on March 17th, which marks a milestone: no other club has managed to bring as many football players to this call, surpassing big ones as Real Madrid, Barcelona or Atlético. This fact has been amplified by means such as Supersport, which have titled “Valencia CF is the base of the Sub-21”, turning the news into a viral phenomenon that resonates on social networks and among Valencian fans. For them, these young people represent a ray of hope in a complicated season for the first team, which currently ranks last in LaLiga 2024-2025 under the management of Peter Lim.

The impact goes beyond the sport: it is a recognition of the effort of the VCF Academy, which has given Spanish football figures like David Silva, Isco or Ferran Torres, and now it is seen as a benchmark of emerging talent in Spain. The virality of this story has been fed by the narrative of “local pride” and the contrast between the success of the quarry and the difficulties of the senior team, a theme that is in the mouth of all in the Valencian Community.

Analysis of the players summoned

1. Cristhian Mosquera (Central defense, 20 years)
   • Technical and tactical profile: Mosquera, who is Colombian but trained in Paterna, is a defense
     modern central: it has technique, it is fast and stands out in the output
     Ball. With its 1.88 meters high, it also has an excellent
     reading the game, allowing you to anticipate and cut plays without
     need to use too much physical strength. In season 2024-2025,
     average 1,9 interceptions and 3.2 recoveries per game in LaLiga,
     consolidated as an indisputable holder in Valencia.
   • Trajectory and projection: Debuted with the first team in 2022 and, after highlighting in the 2023 Sub-20 World Championship with Spain, rejected offers from clubs like Chelsea to stay in Mestalla. Its name already sounds for absolute, and CIES values it in 20.3 million euros as one of the Sub-25s with greater potential.
   • Impact on Sub-21: In the friendly against the Czech Republic (2-1), it was key in the lap, providing solidity and a long pass that began the goal of victory.
2. Javi Guerra (Centrocampista, 21 years old)
   • Technical and tactical profileWar is a “every camper” that stands out for his vision, power and ability to arrive. It can be played as both pivot and interior, and is known for its ability to drive the ball (with an average of 2.1 successful regates per game) and its talent to break defensive lines. In LaLiga, he has accumulated two goals and three assists this season, becoming the lighthouse of Valencia in a center of the countryside that has suffered from injuries and absences.
   • Trajectory and projection: He broke in 2022-2023 with a decisive goal before the Valladolid that avoided the descent, and has since been habitual in the Sub-21. His early maturity places him as a candidate to jump to absolute in 2026.
   • Impact on Sub-21: Against Czechia, he marked a golazo of direct fault, a shot at the angle that became viral and that The Desert included in his list of “lack strokes” of the Rojita.
3. Diego López (Delantero/Extremo, 22 years)
   • Technical and tactical profile: López combines speed, overflow and goleador olphate. Usually in the right band, its 1,76 meters does not prevent you from mastering the air game (1,3 aerial duels won per game). In LaLiga, he has four goals and two assistance, highlighting his mobility and association with Hugo Duro.
   • Trajectory and projection: UD Alzira record in 2021, his explosion in 2023-2024 led him to be a fixed holder. His versatility makes him attractive to foreign clubs, but his grip on Valencia reinforces his symbolic value.
   • Impact on Sub-21: In the friendly, he attended Raúl Moro in 1-0, showing his ability to generate danger from the flank.
4. César Tárrega (Central defense, 23 years)
   • Technical and tactical profile: Tárrega is a more physical center than Mosquera (1,94 meters), with strength in the marking and the game air (2,5 duels won per game). Although less polished in the balloon output, its claw and placement make it an ideal complement.
   • Trajectory and projection: He debuted with the first team in 2023 and, after overcoming injuries, he settled as a replacement in 2024-2025. Its call is a prize for its constancy, although its roof seems more limited than that of its companions.
   • Impact on Sub-21: He played the last 20 minutes against Czechia, providing security in a rival pressure section.

Viral news: Dimensions and analysis

1. Media impact:
   • Supersport He titled “El Valencia CF is the base of the Sub-21” on March 20, accompanying the cover with photos of the four players and an analysis of his contribution to the Rojita. Other media Brand brand (“The Valencian poker that illusions”) and Provinces (“Mosquera, Guerra, López y Tárrega: the future is now”) amplify the story, highlighting the contrast with the crisis of the first team.
   • In X, the hashtag #ADNVCF and mentions to Valencia CF accumulated thousands of interactions. Posts like @valenciacf on March 21 (“Mosquera, Javi Guerra and Diego López, headlines with the Sub-21”) exceeded 10,000 likes, while fans tweeted “The quarry saves Valencia while Lim sinks it.”
2. Pride and local narrative:
   • In the Valencian Community, the news has been like a breath of fresh air in front of the management of Peter Lim, which has been very criticized for the lack of investment and the sports collapse (Valencia occupies the 20th place in LaLiga with only 18 points in 23 days). The hobby sees in these young people a symbol of resistance and connection, with chants like “The Academy will save us” resonating in Mestalla.
   • Virality is nourished by identity: Valencia, a club that has always bet for its quarry, is recovering its prestige just when it most needs it, which has given rise to emotional headlines like “The soul of Valencia lives in Paterna” (ElDesmarque).
3. National and international perspective:
   • At the Spanish level, the poker highlights the image of Valencia as a true seed of talents, only surpassed by the Barça (with figures like Pedri and Gavi) in the last decade. The national press compares it to the golden days of the Valencian quarry, reminding players like Albelda and Angulo.
   • At the international level, media such as The Guardian have pointed out to Mosquera and Guerra as “threatening to follow,” referring them to Spain’s success in the lower categories, where they have achieved five European Championships Sub-21 and an Olympic gold medal.

Implications and projection

1. Sports:
   • For Valencia, these players are the heart of a medium-term project. Mosquera and Guerra have already become pillars of the team, while López and Tárrega are winning important minutes. Its performance in the Sub-21 not only raises its market value, but also attracts the attention of clubs like Liverpool or Bayern, which could mean a good source of income if Lim decides to sell, although it also represents the risk of losing valuable talent.
   • In the Sub-21, its presence reinforces a team that is favorite to revalite the European, with Mosquera and Guerra as possible leaders in the field.
2. Social and cultural:
   • The news has strengthened the bond between the club and its fans, especially after the solidarity shown by the players during the October 2024 DANA, when they joined to clean the affected neighborhoods. This emotional connection made the story go viral, with videos of their solidarity actions re-circling in the networks along with the call.
   • The “poker” has become a symbol of hope, generating debates in programs like El Chiringuito about whether “the quarry can rescue Valencia from the descent”.
3. Future:
   • If they continue with their good rhythm, Mosquera and Guerra could make their debut with the absolute selection in 2026, following the example of Ferran Torres. On the other hand, López and Tárrega have a more extensive tour ahead, but their participation in the Sub-21 gives them good visibility. The key will be how Valencia manages its development in the midst of this institutional crisis.

Conclusion

The phenomenon of the Valencia CF player poker in the Sub-21 goes beyond being just a sporting news; it has become a viral phenomenon that reflects pride, identity and hope. Cristhian Mosquera, Javi Guerra, Diego López and César Tárrega are the brightest representation of a quarry that shines in the midst of the current difficult situation of the club. His impact on the Rojita, with goals, assistance and a solid performance, demonstrates his talent, while the response of the media and the fans raises his story to a story of collective redemption. In a 2025 where Valencia struggles to avoid descent, these young people are proof that even in the darkest moments, Spanish football continues to discover talents in Paterna. This success, which has become viral in its own right, reaffirms that the future of Valencia — and perhaps of Spanish football — depends on its canterans.