Juan Foyth
VIL
Center Back
Ball-Playing Center Back
Jan 12, 1998 (28)
Right
6'2"
183 lb
Fit moving forward
Foyth (undisclosed) participated in full training Tuesday and is fit moving forward, according to Actualidad Castellon.
Analysis: Foyth didn't join the Argentina squad for the international break to work on his recovery from an undisclosed injury, and the decision paid off, as the defender has logged back-to-back full training sessions to begin the week and should be available to face Real Madrid on Oct. 10. Foyth will add some much-needed depth for Villarreal since he can play both at center-back and right-back.
Spotted in team training
Foyth (undisclosed) was spotted back in team training Monday, according to the club.
Analysis: Foyth had been withdrawn from Argentina's squad due to the muscle injury that has kept him out since August 28, missing four consecutive matches, including Villarreal's Champions League opener, before going unused on the bench against Levante. This return to full team training now marks a significant step forward, positioning him to build toward his first competitive minutes in more than a month when La Liga resumes on Oct. 10 against Real Madrid for the yellow submarine.
Withdrawn from Argentina squad
Foyth has been withdrawn from Argentina's squad because of injury, the Argentine Football Association announced Wednesday.
Analysis: Foyth has not played since sustaining a muscle problem against Alaves on Aug. 28 and missed four matches in a row, including Villarreal's Champions League opener, before being passed fit to sit on the bench against Levante on Sunday, Sept. 20. He went unused in that match, which leaves him more than three weeks without minutes. His release from Argentina duty gives him the international window to continue working on his recovery with Villarreal, while his ability to resume full training should provide the clearest indication of when he is ready to return to competitive action.
Returns to bench
Foyth is available off the bench for Sunday's match against Levante after missing the previous four matches with an undisclosed injury.
Analysis: Foyth returns to the matchday squad after a four-match absence, confirming he has recovered sufficiently from the issue that kept him sidelined. The defender had resumed training ahead of Sunday's contest but remains on the bench for his first game back, suggesting Villarreal could ease him into action following the layoff. Foyth could receive minutes during the match before pushing for a return to the starting XI after the international break.
Late call for Levante clash
Foyth (undisclosed) is a late call for Sunday's clash against Levante, according to coach Inigo Perez. "Juan is training with us, we have to see if he can return tomorrow."
Analysis: Foyth had missed four consecutive matches as Villarreal took a cautious approach with his recovery, though manager Inigo Perez had already targeted this match as the expected point for his return. His involvement in training now offers an encouraging sign, with a final decision on his availability still to come.
Targeting Sunday return
Foyth (undisclosed) will remain unavailable for Thursday's clash against Malaga but is expected to return for Sunday's match against Levante, according to coach Inigo Perez. "We don't have any injuries. Foyth is going to come into the squad against Levante"
Analysis: Foyth will miss a fourth consecutive match Thursday as Villarreal continues to take a cautious approach with his recovery. The defender has been progressing well and is now expected to rejoin the squad against Levante on Sunday, providing a clear target for his return to competitive action. His role and potential workload will depend on his fitness following the extended absence.
Won't face Betis
Foyth (undisclosed) is out for Monday's match against Betis, according to manager Inigo Perez, per Victor Franch of Marca. "We are taking things a bit more slowly with Juan-he won't be available tomorrow-but he is feeling very good, and his progress has been very smooth and, so far, rapid. Hopefully, we'll all be back together again soon."
Analysis: Foyth is not yet ready for action as Villarreal prepares for Monday, with the defender training but not at a high enough level to play. This will keep him out for a third straight game, leaving the club without a starting center-back. The good news is that a return seems to be nearing, potentially returning in their next contest.
Doubtful for Betis clash
Foyth (undisclosed) worked away from the group in Friday's session and remains a doubt for Monday's fixture against Real Betis, Castellon Plaza reports.
Analysis: Foyth has been sidelined for two weeks with the muscle problem he sustained against Deportivo Alaves, and while Villarreal had indicated he was approaching a return, he is still working apart from the group rather than back in full sessions. That makes him a doubt at best for Monday's fixture with Real Betis, with no timeline set publicly and only the sessions through Sunday morning left to change the picture. Pau Navarro and Logan Costa are the alternatives at the back for coach Inigo Perez depending on how he chooses to cover the position, and the realistic marker for Foyth is a return to collective training, which has yet to happen despite the earlier optimism around his progress.
Sidelined for UCL opener
Foyth (undisclosed) won't be an option for Tuesday's game against Dortmund, according to manager Inigo Perez. "Juan [Foyth] and Carlos [Romero] didn't travel with us; they're not available for tomorrow."
Analysis: Foyth didn't train Monday due to an undisclosed injury, so it's not surprising to see the veteran defender sidelined for the UCL opener. With Foyth sidelined, Pau Navarro should continue to start next to Renato Veiga at center-back for the Submarino Amarillo.
Unlikely against Dortmund
Foyth (undisclosed) was not training Monday and will likely miss Tuesday's Champions League opener against Dortmund, according to A Punt Esport.
Analysis: Foyth had already been ruled out of the recent match against Deportivo La Coruna, with coach Inigo Perez saying that he shouldn't be out for a long time as he knows his body well. This continued absence extends his layoff further, adding to a recurring pattern of fitness issues for the defender, with Pau Navarro figuring to continue alongside Renato Veiga in central defense until Foyth returns to full speed.
Ruled out against Depor
Foyth (undisclosed) is ruled out for Saturday's clash against Deportivo La Coruna, according to coach Inigo Perez. "He won't be available, but he shouldn't be out for a long time, he know his body perfectly and is progressing well."
Analysis: Foyth had left an earlier training session early with muscular discomfort, a scare that led to medical tests to determine the extent of the issue. His injury history has been a recurring concern in recent seasons, including an Achilles rupture that ended a previous campaign early, and this latest setback continues that pattern for a player who has struggled to stay consistently available. Pau Navarro figures to step into the back line alongside Renato Veiga in his place until he returns to full speed.
Stops training with discomfort
Foyth left Tuesday's training session early after experiencing muscular discomfort and will undergo medical tests to determine whether an injury is involved, leaving his availability for Saturday's match against Deportivo in doubt, according to Jornada Perfecta.
Analysis: Foyth completed only part of Tuesday's session before being forced to stop with muscular discomfort, with the Villarreal defender now set to undergo tests to establish whether he has sustained an injury. He has not been ruled out for Saturday against Deportivo, but his availability cannot be clarified until the scan results are known and his response during the remainder of the week is assessed. Should the tests confirm a problem that keeps him out, Pau Navarro would be in line to step into the back line alongside Renato Veiga.
Starts, plays 45 minutes
Foyth (Achilles) started and played 45 minutes in Villarreal's preseason friendly against Levante, the club announced.
Analysis: Foyth had continued working on his recovery plan without seeing any minutes in friendly action, making this his first appearance since returning to training after a lengthy layoff from his Achilles injury, with Pau Navarro having seen increased playing time alongside Renato Veiga in central defense during his absence. His involvement marks a clear step forward in his buildup, and Foyth is expected to continue building up his match fitness as preseason progresses.
Progressing towards return
Foyth (Achilles) has continued to work on his recovery plan and is hopeful to be in contention for the new season, but the club has yet to specify when he'll make his competitive comeback, Carlos Subiela of Superdeporte.es reported Saturday.
Analysis: Foyth has trained with the team during the offseason, but the fact that he hasn't seen any minutes even in friendly action after a lengthy period on the sidelines makes it difficult for him to be heavily involved in the early stages of the 2026/27 period. The team will continue to handle the defender's return with caution and likely won't rush him into the starting lineup until he's in optimal shape. Meanwhile, Pau Navarro should see increased playing time alongside Renato Veiga in the middle of the back line.
Trains at full intensity
Foyth (Achilles) is training at full intensity during preseason without issue and is available for the new 2026/27 LaLiga season under new coach Inigo Perez, the club posted.
Analysis: Foyth had been sidelined since January with an Achilles injury that also cost him a spot at the World Cup with Argentina, and his return to full intensity training is an encouraging sign heading into the new 2026/27 La Liga campaign. If he stays healthy through the remainder of preseason, he should be well positioned to compete for a starting role on the right side of Villarreal's defense.
Back in training
Foyth (Achilles) participated in full training Thursday and should be an option for Villarreal during the pre-season friendlies ahead of the start of the 2026/27 season in August, according to Julian Burgos of Diario AS.
Analysis: Foyth suffered an Achilles injury in January, and while the injury prevented him from representing Argentina in the World Cup, it seems he'll be ready to play in preseason and, most importantly, the new LaLiga season. If Foyth stays healthy in preseason, he should compete for a starting role on the right side of Villarreal's defensive line.
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