Dani Parejo: A Brain on the Field
There is something special about being able to write about someone you knew long before they became a well-known figure. Dani Parejo, currently one of the most recognized footballers in Spanish football, was my neighbor back in the days when we were just two kids passionate about football. I remember how he used to come to watch us train with the local team, a regular and quiet presence at the edge of the field. He was always there, observing with the calmness and curiosity that would later define his playing style.
Parejo was “mentored” by the legendary Alfredo Di Stéfano during his time at Real Madrid, and that connection with one of the most iconic names in football history only underscores the talent and promise he represented from a young age. But beyond the glamour of his beginnings at Real Madrid, what makes Parejo a unique player is the way he has developed his playing style: a cerebral midfielder, with almost absolute control of the rhythm of the match, and an ability to dictate the game that few can match.
Dani Parejo’s playing style can be summed up in one word: control. While many players seek to be explosive and direct, Parejo prefers to be the metronome, the axis on which the entire team relies to build play. He has a privileged vision of the field and a deep understanding of how the game unfolds. He is not the type of player who dazzles with blazing speed or spectacular dribbles, but rather one who, with precise passes and intelligent decisions, disarms opponents without the need for overwhelming physical efforts.
One of the most notable aspects of Parejo is his ability to handle pressure. He is a player who remains unfazed when he has opponents around him, always finding space to receive the ball and deliver a clean pass. That ability to stay calm, even when things get complicated, is something he learned from a young age, watching and studying every move from the sidelines. In a way, his ability to read the game started there, on those dirt fields where football was more a matter of passion than technique or physique.
His time at Valencia was what ultimately shaped the player we know today. At Mestalla, he became the captain and leader of the team, shouldering responsibility during difficult times and being the beacon that guided the team in attack. Parejo never shied away from responsibility; he always wanted the ball, always wanted to be the one directing the orchestra. During his years at Valencia, his ability to dominate matches from midfield became one of the keys to the team’s success, especially in the 2018/2019 season, when the club managed to win the Copa del Rey against Barcelona.
Tactically, Parejo is a player who understands when to speed up and when to slow down the game. His ability to detect the exact moments when the team needs to pause or increase the tempo is something only the greatest midfielders possess. Additionally, he is a master of set pieces. His precision in free kicks and his ability to place the ball where he wants are among his main offensive weapons. It is not uncommon to see him score from free kicks with a calmness that makes it look easier than it actually is.
At Villarreal, he has continued to demonstrate his class, being a key figure in their Europa League triumph in 2021. Under Unai Emery, Parejo became the leader of the midfield, providing balance to the team and ensuring that every attack started in the right way. The victory in the final against Manchester United was a perfect showcase of what Parejo brings: serenity, technical quality, and an ability to compete at the highest level without losing his identity as a player.
It is impossible to talk about Dani Parejo without mentioning his personality both on and off the field. He is a player who has always been respected by his teammates, not only for his quality but also for his character. He is not one to seek the spotlight, but he is someone who earns respect through constant work and an unwavering love for the game.
This quality of Parejo, the humility with which he approaches football, is something I witnessed myself during those days when we crossed paths in the neighborhood. He never acted as if he was above anyone else, but rather as a kid who simply loved football.
When Di Stéfano “mentored” Parejo, he did so because he saw something special in him. And he was not wrong. Dani Parejo is one of those players who may not fill the headlines with goals or dribbles, but whose impact on the game is immeasurable.
Parejo’s ability to be the team’s beacon, to bring calm and sense to every play, makes him an irreplaceable player. In a football world that is increasingly fast and physical, Parejo represents one of the last bastions of thoughtful football, where the brain is as valuable, if not more, than the legs.
It is easy to see how players like Parejo go unnoticed by those who only look at statistics. He is not the fastest, nor the one who runs the most, but he is the one who makes others run well. He is the one who anticipates, who makes that pass that breaks a line and opens up a whole range of possibilities for his team. In the era of all-terrain midfielders, Dani Parejo is a modern classic, a reminder that talent and intelligence will always have a place in this sport.
Perhaps for many, Dani Parejo is not the most spectacular player. But for those of us who have followed his career closely, for those of us who saw him as a young boy on those neighborhood fields, it is evident that we are witnessing one of the most privileged minds in Spanish football over the last two decades. A player who, as Di Stéfano predicted, had something special. In the end, football is not just about running fast or jumping high; it is about understanding the game, and few understand it better than Dani Parejo.
By: Juanjo Montero / @JJMont3ro
Featured Image: @GabFoligno / Soccrates Images