Last update 28 March, 2025 by Alberto Llopis
The Vallecano Ray, founded in 1924 In the heart of Vallecas, It is a club that breathes football and fights. los Best players in the history of Rayo Vallecano, Those who have left an indelible legacy in the strip. From historical scorers to modern icons, These players have marked the identity of a team that, although without great titles, has known how to earn the respect of Spanish football.
Who are the best players in the history of Rayo Vallecano?
Fernando Morena: The Uruguayan scorer who scored an era
Fernando Morena, Arrived at Rayo Vallecano in the season 1979-80, It is an indisputable legend. From Peñarol, where he scored 180 goals in 140 parties, The Uruguayan was a media signing that cost 750,000 dollars, A fortune for the time.
In his only season in Vallecas, frame 21 goals in 34 First Division matches, A record that still remains the greatest number of goals in a campaign for a Rayista player. Despite its impact, The team descended, And Morena left for Valencia CF. His step was brief, But its quality left an eternal mark on the Vallecas football 2025.
Óscar Trejo: The foreigner most faithful to the strip
Óscar Trejo, The Argentine who has made Vallecas his home, It is a symbol of loyalty. Until October 2024, has disputed 270 Ray matches, becoming abroad with more meetings in the history of the club.
Con 37 goals and 45 assists, Trejo has been key at times such as promotion to First in 2017-18, where he marked 12 goals and gave 10 assists. In 2025, to their 36 years, It is still a leader, although with less minutes. His connection with the fans makes him an icon, But some question whether their statistical impact matches its emotional legacy.
Manolo Peñalva: The hero of the first promotion to second
Manolo Peñalva is a name recorded in the history of Rayo Vallecano. In 1956, He scored three goals in the victory for 5-3 Against Tarragona Gymnastic, achieving the first rise of the club to Second Division.
Peñalva played more than 200 matches between 1940s and 1950s, scoring 87 goals, And then he was a team coach. His versatility and leadership made him an idol, although the lack of complete records of that era makes it difficult to compare it with modern players. His legacy, however, It's a ray pillar.
Hugo Sanchez: The Mexican who brought glamor to Vallecas
Hugo Sánchez arrived at Rayo Vallecano in 1993-94, to the 35 years, After shining at Real Madrid. Despite his age, The Mexican marked 16 goals in 29 league matches, showing his class in a team that fought for permanence.
Although the ray descended, Sánchez's signing was a media blow that raised the club's profile. Its impact was more symbolic than practical, But his name is still one of the most recognized in Rayista history, A testimony of its eternal quality.
Guilherme Alves: The Brazilian who conquered Vallecas with goals
Guilherme de Cássio Alves, Conocido as Guilherme Alves, He arrived at Rayo Vallecano in January 1995 Since São Paulo FC, where he had won the Copa Libertadores and the Intercontinental.
This Brazilian striker, born on 8 May 1974 EN Marilia, He left an indelible brand in Vallecas during his two and a half years with the club. In your first campaign, in Second Division, frame 14 goals in 17 parties, being key to promotion to First Division.
in the season 1995-96, that of LaLA, noted 10 goals, including a double in a historic victory for 1-2 against Real Madrid at Bernabéu, which caused the cessation of Jorge Valdano as coach Merengue. In his last season, 1996-97, frame 14 more goals, But the ray descended to second. In total, Guilherme added 38 goals in 77 Official matches with lightning, According to TransferMarkt.
years later, in 2014, expressed his love for the club: “The years I spent in Rayo Vallecano were very important for my personal and football growth. It is one of the two teams that I have in my heart ". His scoring smell and legacy make him one of the Best players in the history of Rayo Vallecano.
Diego Costa: THE TRAMPOLINE TO THE ELITE
Diego Costa had a fleeting but crucial step by Rayo Vallecano in 2011-12, Ceded by Atlético de Madrid. in alone 16 parties, frame 10 goals and gave 3 assists, being key to the first permanence.
His power and claw made him a favorite of the fans, And his performance catapulted him to Atlético, where it became a world star. Costa is an example of how lightning can be a springboard for great talents.
Wilfred Idinavbare: Eternal idol of Vallecas
Wilfred left an indelible mark on Rayo Vallecano during his stage between 1990 y 1996. This Nigerian goalkeeper, born in lakes in 1966, He arrived at the Madrid club with the dream of triumphing in Europe and achieved it by far, At least on the strip team, becoming an eternal idol for the fans of Vallecas.
In his six years with the team, disputed 189 official matches, A record for a foreigner at the club until 2021, When Oscar Trejo surpassed him. His agility, Feline reflexes and charisma made him a fundamental pillar in a stage of ups and downs.
Wilfred was key in the rise to the league in the season 1991-1992, playing the 38 League matches and fitting alone 27 goals, What made him the second goalkeeper less thrashed in the Second Division that year. His presence under the sticks was synonymous with security, and your connection with fans, unwavering.
Throughout his ray career, He lived two promotions and two descents, showing its commitment in each party, Regardless of the category. Beyond statistics, Wilfred faced hard moments, as the racism he suffered in a meeting against Real Madrid in 1993, but his professionalism and humility raised him as a symbol of struggle.
You qualify this that happened in the middle of the 90
PD: How much HDP there are for the world and what a good guy was Wilfried pic.twitter.com/wrFWGjFCBx- Colgadosporelfutbol® (@colgadosfutbol) July 20, 2022
Outside the field, His goodness left an equal mark of deep; Many of his former companions described him as “The best person” They knew.
You could also be seen in the television program ‘The boss’, where I was working at the Barojas airport in Madrid where I worked as a waiter.
Although his life ended tragically in 2015 Because of cancer, His legacy lasts in Vallecas, where a mural at the Vallecas stadium immortalizes it. Wilfred not only defended Rayo's goal, but also conquered the hearts of a hobby that, still in 2025, remembers it as a real myth.
