During his career, Botía won multiple titles, including La Liga with Barcelona and the Super League Greece with Olympiacos.
Botía played as a centre-back throughout his professional football career.
Alberto Botía is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a centre-back.
Biography
Early Life
Alberto Botía was born in Alquerías, Region of Murcia, Spain. His football journey began at the tender age of eight when he started playing for Beniel. After three years, he moved to Real Murcia, where he honed his skills before making a significant leap to FC Barcelona in 2003. After three seasons in the youth setup, he was promoted to Barcelona's B team.
Career
Botía's professional career took off when he made his official debut for FC Barcelona's first team on May 30, 2009, during a UEFA Champions League match against Manchester United. Shortly after, he was loaned to Sporting de Gijón for the 2009-2010 season, where he quickly became a regular starter and later signed a four-year deal with the club. His time at Sporting was marked by notable performances, including his first top-flight goal against Mallorca.
In 2012, following Sporting's relegation, Botía transferred to Sevilla FC. His career continued to flourish as he played for several clubs, including Olympiacos F.C. from 2014 to 2018, where he won multiple league titles. He later played for Al Hilal SFC and currently represents Al Wehda FC.
Botía also had a notable international career, representing Spain at various youth levels and making his debut for the senior national team in 2011. He was part of the squad for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Personal Life
In his personal life, Botía began a relationship with Eleni Foureira, a Greek singer, in 2017. The couple welcomed their son in 2023, marking a new chapter in Botía's life beyond football.
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Gallery
Career & Clubs
On 7 February 2007, Botía was summoned for the Spain under-19 team, being an unused squad member at the "XXXIII International Atlantic Cup". Almost exactly two years later he received his first under-21 callup, for a friendly with Norway. On 25 August 2011, Botía was selected for the first time to the full side by manager Vicente del Bosque, for games against Chile and Liechtenstein. He was included in Luis Milla's squad for the 2012 Summer Olympics, playing the last two matches against Honduras and Morocco as the team were eliminated without scoring a goal.
Barcelona
Botía was born in Alquerías, Region of Murcia. Aged just eight years old he began playing for Beniel, soon joining neighbours Real Murcia and remaining there for three years. In 2003 he moved to Barcelona, being inserted into its B team after a further three seasons. In late May 2009 Botía, alongside fellow youth graduate Marc Muniesa, was first called to the main squad for a UEFA Champions League match against Manchester United. He made his official debut on the 30th, coming on as a second-half substitute for Gerard Piqué in the final game of the campaign, a 1–1 away draw against Deportivo de La Coruña.
Sporting Gijón
On 14 July 2009, Botía was sent to fellow La Liga club Sporting de Gijón on a season-long loan. A regular starter throughout his first year in the top tier, he decided to extend his stay with the Asturians in a four-year deal, with Barcelona keeping a buy-back clause for the first three. Botía scored his first top-flight goal on 12 September 2010, opening a 2–0 home win over Mallorca. On 14 November, he was sent off in the last minute of a 1–0 loss to Real Madrid also at El Molinón for a foul on Cristiano Ronaldo.
Sevilla
On 8 August 2012, following Sporting's relegation, Botía signed with Sevilla for a fee believed to be in the region of €3 million. He was brought in with the help of the Doyen Group, an Anglo-Portuguese investment firm. He made his official debut for his new team 18 days later, playing the second half of…
- Club
- FC Barcelona (2009–2010)
- Club
- Sporting de Gijón (2009–2010)
- Club
- FC Barcelona Atlètic (2006–2009)
- Club
- Sporting de Gijón (2010–2012)
- Club
- Sevilla FC (2012–2014)
- Club
- Elche CF (2013–2014)
- Club
- Olympiacos F.C. (2014–2018)
- Club
- Spain national under-20 football team (2009–2009)
- Club
- Spain national under-21 association football team (2009–2011)
- Club
- Spain national under-23 football team (2012–2012)
- Club
- Spain Olympic football team (2012–2012)
- Club
- Al Hilal SFC (2018–2020)
- Club
- Al Wehda FC (2020–)
- National team
- Spain
Personal
In 2017, Botía began a relationship with Eleni Foureira, an Albanian-born Greek singer who represented Cyprus at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest. Their son was born in 2023.
Legacy
Barcelona
La Liga: 2008–09 Olympiacos
Super League Greece: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17 Greek Football Cup: 2014–15; runner-up: 2015–16 Al-Hilal
Saudi Super Cup: 2018 Spain U20
Mediterranean Games: 2009 Spain U21
UEFA European Under-21 Championship: 2011
Clubs
- Al Wehda FC2020current
- FC Barcelona Atlètic2006–2009
- FC Barcelona2009–2010
- Spain national under-20 football team2009–2009
- Spain national under-21 association football team2009–2011
- Sporting de Gijón2009–2010
- Sporting de Gijón2010–2012
- Sevilla FC2012–2014
- Spain Olympic football team2012–2012
- Spain national under-23 football team2012–2012
- Elche CF2013–2014
- Olympiacos F.C.2014–2018
- Al Hilal SFC2018–2020
Played together with
Aarón MartínSpain national under-21 association football team
Aarón ÑíguezElche CF · 2013–2015- Aarón ÑíguezSpain national under-20 football team · 2009–2009
- Aarón ÑíguezSpain national under-21 association football team · 2008–2009
Abde EzzalzouliFC Barcelona · 2021–2023- Abde EzzalzouliFC Barcelona Atlètic · 2021–2022
- Abdeljalil HaddaSporting de Gijón · 1998–2001
- Abdessamad RafikAl Wehda FC · 2009–2010
Abdou Kader ManganeAl Hilal SFC · 2012–2015
Abdoulay KonkoSevilla FC · 2008–2011- Abdulatif Al-GhanamAl Hilal SFC · 2004–2015
- Abdulaziz Al-AazmiAl Hilal SFC · 2012–2013
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Alberto Botía is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a centre-back.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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