- published: 26 Jan 2009
- views: 15658
Joan Capdevila i Méndez (Catalan pronunciation: [ʒuˈaŋ kədːəˈβiɫə]; born 3 February 1978) is a former Spanish professional footballer who played as a left back.
Over the course of 15 La Liga seasons he amassed totals of 410 games and 36 goals, mainly for Deportivo and Villarreal where, from his defensive position, he often contributed in the scoring department.
A Spanish international on 60 occasions, Capdevila represented the nation in one World Cup and two European Championships, winning one tournament in each competition.
Born in Tàrrega, Lleida, Catalonia, and a product of RCD Espanyol's youth system, Capdevila made his debut for its first team during the 1998–99 season, in a 2–2 La Liga draw at Athletic Bilbao, and joined Atlético Madrid the following year.
After the Colchoneros' relegation, however, he signed with Galician side Deportivo de La Coruña in the summer of 2000, and would be a regular fixture in the team as left-back, first competing with Enrique Romero then as the undisputed first-choice. On 16 September 2006, he scored twice as Depor overcame Villarreal CF 2–0 at the Riazor Stadium.