CLUB SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Club | Levante UD |
| League | La Liga |
| Manager | Luís Castro |
| Stadium | Ciutat de València |
| Nickname | Los Granotes |
| Founded | 1909 |
| First-Choice Goalkeeper | Mathew Ryan |
| Backup Goalkeeper | Pablo Cuñat |
| Academy Prospect | Ihor Galdin |
| Notable Departure | None significant |
The Defining Moment
Levante’s 2026/27 goalkeeping story is defined by a single decision made in the summer, one that prioritized continuity and experience over the temptation of a rebuild. Mathew Ryan, the Australian international who had spent the previous season on loan at the Ciutat de València, saw his contract expire. He waited, weighing his options after competing in his fourth World Cup with Australia, where he lost his starting position. The club waited too. When Ryan finally accepted the offer to return for a permanent spell, Levante had secured the foundation upon which their second consecutive season in La Liga would be built.
The defining moment came not in a save, but in the quiet recognition that Ryan’s presence had been central to Levante’s miraculous survival the previous season. In 2025/26, Ryan played all 36 league matches, conceding 56 goals and keeping nine clean sheets. Those numbers were not exceptional in isolation, but in the context of a newly promoted side that spent most of the campaign battling relegation, they represented a platform of reliability. Luís Castro, the Portuguese manager who had engineered the great escape after arriving in December, knew that continuity in goal was non-negotiable.
The early returns in 2026/27 have been mixed. Ryan has started all ten of Levante’s opening La Liga matches, conceding 19 goals and keeping two clean sheets. Levante sit fourteenth in the table with ten points from ten matches, a record of two wins, four draws, and four defeats. The defensive record—19 goals conceded, a rate of 1.90 per game—tells a story of a team that is competitive but porous, a side that can beat Real Betis 5-2 and hold Sevilla to a 3-3 draw, but also loses 3-0 at Espanyol and 4-2 at home to Barcelona.
This is the story of Levante’s 2026/27 goalkeepers: an Australian veteran playing for his legacy, a young Spaniard waiting for his opportunity, and a department built on the belief that stability between the posts is the first requirement of survival.
Tactical Context
Luís Castro’s Levante are a side that does not dominate possession. Through the opening weeks of the campaign, Levante have averaged under 50% possession in most matches, with their highest share coming in the 3-3 draw against Sevilla (57%) and their lowest in the 2-4 defeat to Barcelona (25%). That approach places significant demands on the goalkeeper. Ryan is not asked to be a sweeper-keeper in the mould of Ederson or Alisson; he is asked to command his box, claim crosses into a crowded penalty area, and make the saves that keep a team with limited attacking firepower in matches.
The numbers reflect a goalkeeper who has been busy but not always protected. Ryan has faced 51 shots on target in his ten league appearances, saving 32 of them—a save percentage of 62.7%. He has kept two clean sheets—against Osasuna and Málaga—but has also conceded three against Espanyol, four against Barcelona, and three against Villarreal and Sevilla. The pattern is clear: against the league’s mid-table sides, Levante’s defence has been competitive; against the elite, it has been overwhelmed.
The system also demands composure in possession. Levante do not play out from the back with the same ambition as the league’s top sides, but Ryan’s distribution has been competent if unspectacular. His long kicking offers an outlet for the forwards—Yanis Musuayi, Iván Romero, and the supporting wide players—while his shorter distribution has been used sparingly. The Australian is a conventional goalkeeper in a conventional system, and his performances have reflected the limitations of the structure around him.
The structural contrast with last season is minimal. Ryan played every minute of the 2025/26 campaign, conceding 56 goals and keeping nine clean sheets. The defensive frailties that plagued Levante last season have not been fully addressed, and the goalkeeper has borne the brunt of that continuity. The difference this season is that Ryan is no longer a loanee; he is a permanent signing, a leader in the dressing room, and a mentor to the young goalkeepers behind him.
The Goalkeepers
Mathew Ryan
Ryan is Levante’s first-choice goalkeeper, the Australian international who returned for a permanent spell after a successful loan, and the player upon whom the club’s defensive stability depends. The 34-year-old has started all ten of Levante’s league matches, conceding 19 goals and keeping two clean sheets.
His profile is that of the experienced, conventional shot-stopper. At 184 cm, Ryan is not the tallest goalkeeper, but his positioning is sound, his reflexes remain sharp, and his command of the penalty area is authoritative. He is not a spectacular goalkeeper—he does not make the extraordinary saves that define elite shot-stoppers—but he is reliable in the fundamentals: handling, distribution, and communication with his defence.
The context of his season matters. Ryan arrived at Levante in 2025/26 on loan from Roma, seeking regular football after spells at Lens and Roma where opportunities were limited. The move to Valencia offered a chance to rebuild his career, and he seized it, playing every minute of the league campaign as Levante defied expectations to survive. His return on a permanent deal was a statement of intent from both club and player: Levante wanted continuity, and Ryan wanted a home.
The concern is the workload. Ryan has played every minute of every league match for two consecutive seasons, a workload that would test a goalkeeper ten years his junior. At 34, he remains fit and available, but the lack of a credible alternative means he cannot be rested. If he suffers an injury or a dip in form, Levante have no proven replacement.
Pablo Cuñat
Cuñat is Levante’s backup goalkeeper, a 24-year-old Spaniard who has been at the club since his youth days. He has yet to make a league appearance this season, serving as cover and competition for Ryan.
His profile is that of the developing squad goalkeeper. At 188 cm, Cuñat has the physical attributes to succeed, but he has not yet been tested at the highest level. His role at Levante is to train, to learn from Ryan, and to be ready if circumstances demand. At 24, he is at an age where regular football is essential for his development, and the lack of opportunities at Levante may prompt a loan move in the future.
Ihor Galdin and Alejandro Primo
Galdin and Primo are the academy prospects, young goalkeepers who have been registered with the first team but remain on the periphery. Galdin, a 16-year-old, is registered with a subsidiary licence, while Primo, a 22-year-old, has yet to make a competitive appearance. They are not yet ready for first-team football, but their presence reflects Levante’s commitment to developing homegrown talent.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: Levante UD Goalkeeper La Liga Statistics (2026/27)
| Player | Apps (Starts) | Minutes | Goals Conceded | Clean Sheets | Saves |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mathew Ryan | 10 (10) | 900 | 19 | 2 | 32 |
| Pablo Cuñat | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ihor Galdin | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
TABLE B: Levante UD Goalkeeping Unit – Key Metrics (2026/27)
| Metric | Value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Ryan Goals Conceded per 90 | 1.90 | Reflects Levante’s defensive struggles |
| Ryan Save Percentage | 62.7% | 32 saves from 51 shots on target |
| Ryan Clean Sheet Percentage | 20% | 2 clean sheets in 10 matches |
| Levante Goals Against (La Liga) | 19 | 1.90 per game; 14th in table |
TABLE C: Goalkeeper Career Context & Pedigree
| Player | Nationality | Previous Clubs | Style Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathew Ryan | Australia | Roma, Lens, Real Sociedad, Brighton | Experienced shot-stopper, vocal organiser, leader |
| Pablo Cuñat | Spain | Levante (academy) | Developing squad goalkeeper, physical presence |
| Ihor Galdin | Ukraine | Levante (academy) | Academy prospect, developing |
Tactical Identity & Squad Balance
Levante’s goalkeeping department is a study in continuity and pragmatism. Ryan is the present—an experienced international who knows the club, knows the league, and knows what is required to survive. Cuñat is the future—a young goalkeeper with the physical attributes to succeed, but who is not yet ready to carry the burden of a La Liga starter.
The balance is fragile. Ryan has no credible competition, and his performances have been adequate rather than exceptional. Levante’s defensive record is poor, but the goalkeeper is not the primary cause. The structural issues in front of him—a defence that lacks pace, a midfield that concedes possession—are the root of the problem. The 5-2 victory over Real Betis and the 3-3 draw with Sevilla demonstrated that Levante can compete when the team performs as a unit. The 3-0 defeat at Espanyol and the 4-2 loss to Barcelona exposed the fragility that remains beneath the surface.
The contrast with last season is minimal. Ryan played 36 league matches in 2025/26, conceding 56 goals and keeping nine clean sheets. This season, he is on course for a similar record. The permanent signing has provided continuity, but it has not solved the underlying weaknesses.
The risk is obvious. If Ryan is injured or suspended, Levante must turn to a 24-year-old with no La Liga experience. Cuñat is talented, but he is not proven. The club’s decision to prioritize continuity over competition may prove costly if circumstances force their hand.
The Verdict from the Camp
Diario AS, on Ryan’s return:
“Mathew Ryan returns to Levante with the stripes he earned last season. He ended his contract and waited to make a definitive decision after playing his fourth World Cup with Australia, with whom he lost his starting position. Ryan has the mission to perform in the present and serve as an example to future generations of Levante goalkeepers.”
EFE, on Ryan’s renewal:
“The Australian Mathew Ryan, another World Cup player, finally accepted the renewal and will defend Levante’s goal for another year.”
Statistical analysis, on Ryan’s workload:
Mathew Ryan has played every minute of Levante’s league campaign for two consecutive seasons, a workload that reflects both his importance to the team and the lack of a credible alternative in the squad.
Where Next?
Levante’s goalkeeping priority is stability. Ryan must remain fit and available, because the alternative is a 24-year-old who has never started a La Liga match. The Australian is not an elite goalkeeper, but he is an experienced one, and in a season where survival is the objective, experience matters.
The longer-term question is Cuñat’s development. The 24-year-old was promoted to the first team as backup, and his pathway to the starting role must be managed carefully. Cup matches and opportunities when Ryan is unavailable will be his chance to prove he is ready. If he impresses, the succession plan accelerates. If he struggles, Levante may need to revisit the loan market.
The January window is unlikely to bring movement. Levante’s financial constraints are well-documented, and the club has already invested in Ryan as the short-term solution. A loan exit for Cuñat, should he seek regular football, is possible, but no incoming signings are anticipated.
For now, Levante’s goalkeepers are a reflection of the club’s broader circumstances: pragmatic, resourceful, and reliant on a veteran who has given them stability. Ryan is a goalkeeper playing for his legacy, a leader in a dressing room of young players, and the foundation upon which Levante’s survival hopes rest. The numbers may not be spectacular, but the presence is invaluable.
