He played mainly for local Valencia during his extensive professional career, being team captain for over a decade and appearing in 480 competitive matches.[4]
Albelda, along with teammates Santiago Cañizares and Miguel Ángel Angulo was axed from the squad on 20 December 2007 by recently arrived coach Ronald Koeman;[7] in the captain's case, he had ironically just renewed his link with the Che until 2011.[8] In response, on 2 January 2008, Albelda's lawyer claimed that Valencia had ignored his client's plea for an amicable end to the player's contract, with legal recourse the only possible avenue left.[9] With news of this hitting the media, several teams, although he would not be able to join any Spanish team for the remainder of the season, having played more than four league games, studied the possibility of signing him in the winter transfer window, with hopes of a free transfer.
In late April 2008, however, with Koeman's dismissal, all three were reinstated by new manager Voro in a squad seriously threatened with relegation, with five remaining rounds. He returned to action in the second half of the 6–0 away loss against FC Barcelona on 4 May,[10] and received his first post-reinstatement start in a 5–1 victory in the derby away at Levante UD the following week, as the side mathematically retained top-flight status.[11]
For 2008–09, Albelda remained a regular fixture alongside longtime central midfield teammate Rubén Baraja.[12] On 10 January 2009 he delivered an outstanding performance at right-back, replacing suspended Miguel in a 3–3 home derby against Villarreal.[13][14]
Albelda was played intermittently by Valencia from 2010 to 2013, also suffering several injury problems.[15][16][17] On 10 June 2013, it was announced that the 35-year-old would not renew his contract with the club, leaving as a free agent;[18] he announced his retirement two months later.[19]
After having been ousted from the Valencia squad, Albelda would still be called by national team boss Luis Aragonés to a 6 February 2008 friendly with France.[24] He would eventually not make the final cut for Euro 2008, as Spain emerged victorious.
^Cabezas, Francisco (4 May 2008). "El Barça se da un festín a destiempo" [Barça throw a feast when it's already too late]. El Mundo (in Spanish). Retrieved 14 July 2021.
