According to the newspaper La Voz de Deportivo La Coruña, Deportivo La Coruña captain Diego Villares scored against Real Betis and became the first player to ascend from Primera Federación to La Liga and score in the top division.

At Riazor stadium, Deportivo La Coruña always carries a banner that reads "No one is better than Villares." The banner has been present since the club's promotion to La Liga last season and even traveled on the team bus as the players paraded through the city toward Cuatro Caminos to celebrate the promotion.

In the 87th minute, Mario Soriano received the ball on the left wing. Before it reached Villares' foot, he already understood the opportunity. The two players had known each other for years and required no prior communication. They had played together in Segunda División B and risen together through Segunda División. Now their partnership in La Liga produced a valuable goal for the team. Villares, wearing number 8, made a late run and struck from behind the defense, scoring from an unmarked position.

Villares held the ball and ran along the lower section of the Marathon stand, celebrating proudly as all of Riazor rejoiced. It was his 16th goal for Deportivo La Coruña. Since the 2021/22 season, he has scored in every season he has played for the club.

Villares' journey has always been distinctive. He is a late bloomer who developed at Racing Villalbés before being recruited by Fabril. While playing for Deportivo La Coruña B, he scored in Segunda División B and Tercera División. Due to lack of consistent opportunity, he temporarily returned home before maturing and eventually reaching the right place at the right time. In January 2021, when Deportivo La Coruña was in Segunda División B without funds to sign new players, manager Rubén de la Barrera strengthened the squad with Villares and Rayco. For the then 23-year-old Villares, it was his only path forward. After playing 206 matches, he had firmly secured his opportunities.

His debut was not ideal—Deportivo La Coruña lost 0-2 at Estadio de O Vao—a painful memory for those who were part of the team during its historic low point. From that moment forward, regardless of league level, manager changes, or competitive circumstances, Villares built himself up steadily. Rubén de la Barrera gave him his debut, and he later played under Borja J. M. Giménez, Óscar Cano, Imanol Idiakez, Óscar Gilsanz (who worked with him at Villalbés), and Antonio Hidalgo. Though seasons, divisions, and squads changed, he always maintained an important role. In the 2021/22 season he played 2,622 minutes; in 2022/23 he played 2,484 minutes; in 2023/24 he played 3,057 minutes before the promotion to Segunda División. In his first season in Segunda División he played 3,149 minutes, and upon returning to La Liga he played 2,460 minutes. In his first season with the first team, he averaged 2,754 minutes per season.

After promotion to La Liga, Deportivo La Coruña signed several strong midfielders. Teun Gieselharter (now loaned to Al Ain) arrived first, followed by Lorenzo Amatucci and Marc Casadó, with Ricky Rodríguez joining in January. Villares came off the bench against Elche and Málaga, and at La Rosaleda he made an own goal from which he has not yet recovered. After four consecutive matches on the bench, he felt his role in the season would be diminished, but Casadó's injury in the 34th minute provided Villares with an opportunity—another chance to prove his readiness for a higher level of play. He completed 47 passes with an 87% success rate, recovered the ball three times, lost it only seven times, and finished as one of the match's standout performers with his goal.

At Villares' 200-match milestone celebration, Deportivo La Coruña's former manager Óscar Gilsanz said: "He improves every day, always adapts, and works to become better. That's his greatest quality. Some players who started from Diego's position would never reach where he is today."

Villares' secret has always been his resilience and exceptional adaptability. Whatever the circumstances or role changes, he maintains his performance. Gilsanz added: "I have no doubt he will continue to adapt in his future La Liga career and become an important player. No doubt whatsoever."

At 30 years old, Diego Villares has fulfilled an incomplete dream: playing for Deportivo La Coruña in La Liga wearing the captain's armband. He completed a lengthy journey spanning over 200 matches. During the game, he energized Deportivo La Coruña's pressure, and the team advanced noticeably in the second half against Real Betis. After the match, the midfielder said: "I can't say much. I can't believe it. There are so many mixed emotions, it's unbelievable."

Reflecting on scoring in La Liga, Diego Villares' voice trembled and tears flowed. He emotionally said: "I'm thinking of my family, those who never let me down."

The captain explained that the team made tactical adjustments at halftime that completely changed the match. "We fixed some things at halftime and tried to be more solid. We could have done it earlier," he said.

Antonio Hidalgo also praised him after the match: "Midfield competition is intense, but he's always ready. Villares is an exemplary person for his teammates and captain. This goal in La Liga is a reward for him, and it's very special."

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