Alberto Botía
A tough and versatile Spanish defender who carved out a long career across La Liga, Greece, and the Middle East, known for his aerial power and resilience.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Spanish footballer·Birthday: January 27·Millennials
Biography
Born in Murcia, Alberto Botía’s football journey began in the youth ranks of Barcelona, though his path to the first team was blocked by an era of legendary defenders. His professional career truly ignited at Sporting Gijón, where his commanding presence at centre-back made him a fan favorite and caught the eye of bigger clubs. A move to Sevilla followed, where he added a Europa League winner’s medal to his name in 2014, contributing to a formidable defensive unit. Rather than settling into a comfortable role in Spain, Botía embraced challenges abroad, becoming a defensive pillar for Olympiacos in Greece, winning multiple domestic doubles, and later playing in Saudi Arabia. His story is one of a player who maximized his talent through adaptability and consistency, proving his worth in multiple top-flight leagues over a 15-year career.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Alberto was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Alberto Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Alberto's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the UEFA Europa League with Sevilla FC in the 2013-14 season.
- Secured three Greek Super League titles and two Greek Cups during his tenure with Olympiacos.
- Played over 150 La Liga matches for clubs including Sporting Gijón, Sevilla, and Elche.
Did You Know?
He was part of the FC Barcelona youth academy but never made a first-team league appearance for the club.
Botía scored his first La Liga goal for Sporting Gijón against his former club, Barcelona.
He played alongside Spanish internationals like Ivan Rakitić and Carlos Bacca during Sevilla's Europa League triumph.
“My job is to defend our goal with everything I have.”
