Founded in 1919, Valencia boast 6 La Liga titles and 8 Copa del Rey trophies. Two Champions League finals in the early 2000s and a La Liga-UEFA Cup double under Rafael Benitez cemented their status as Spain's perennial "fourth force".

Since Singaporean businessman Peter Lim became owner in 2014, the club has entered a prolonged decline. Key players have been repeatedly sold, relations with fans have deteriorated severely, and "Lim Out" protests have become a regular feature of matchdays.

Mestalla, opened in 1923 with a capacity of 49,430, remains one of Spain's most atmospheric grounds. Plans for a "Nuevo Mestalla" began in 2007, but the half-built shell has sat abandoned for over a decade due to financial problems — a stark symbol of the club's turmoil.

Manager Carlos Corberan has navigated difficult circumstances, working with limited resources in a relegation battle. The summer of 2025 saw goalkeeper Mamardashvili sold to Liverpool and defender Mosquera to Arsenal, continuing the pattern of losing key players.