Thomas Partey Returns for Villarreal Amid Ongoing Legal Challenges

Ghanaian midfielder Thomas Partey made his long-awaited return to action for Villarreal CF on Wednesday, February 18, featuring in a narrow La Liga victory over Levante UD. The 32-year-old’s appearance marked his first outing since fresh developments emerged in his ongoing legal case in the United Kingdom.

Named among the substitutes, Partey ended a three-match absence and offered a composed cameo during a challenging period both professionally and personally. Villarreal secured a 1–0 win at the Estadi Ciutat de València, boosting their push for European qualification.

Head coach Marcelino García Toral had previously raised concerns about Partey’s recent form, while recurring pubalgia issues have disrupted the midfielder’s rhythm this season. Despite these setbacks, the former Arsenal FC player has made 22 appearances across all competitions in the current campaign, underlining his continued importance to the squad.

Partey’s last competitive appearance came in January against Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Since then, he had remained sidelined as Villarreal sought to maintain momentum in both domestic and European competitions.

Against Levante, he was introduced in the 79th minute, replacing Pape Gueye. In his brief 11-minute spell, Partey demonstrated efficiency and composure in midfield. He completed all his attempted passes, including progressive forward balls, while also contributing defensively with a clearance, a blocked shot, and a successful ball recovery. His disciplined display earned him a 7.0 rating from Sofascore.

The decisive moment of the match came in the 57th minute when Georges Mikautadze found the back of the net to seal the victory. The result ended Villarreal’s three-match winless streak in La Liga and followed their emphatic 4–0 triumph over RCD Espanyol earlier in the month.

While his on-field return provided encouragement for supporters, Partey’s off-field situation remains a focal point. The midfielder is facing additional charges in the United Kingdom, bringing the total number of allegations against him to seven, all of which he firmly denies. The latest counts reportedly involve a separate complainant and relate to incidents alleged to have occurred in 2020. According to reports, the new claims followed a recent investigation by the Metropolitan Police.

Partey is scheduled to appear before Westminster Magistrates' Court on March 13 for an initial hearing in connection with the new charges. His lead counsel, Jenny Wiltshire, has reiterated that the player maintains his innocence and intends to contest all allegations.

Under United Kingdom law, individuals who make allegations in sexual offence cases are granted lifelong anonymity. This legal protection is designed to safeguard complainants’ privacy, prevent potential intimidation, and encourage the reporting of sensitive crimes without fear of public exposure.

For Villarreal, attention now turns to their upcoming league fixture against Valencia CF on February 22 at the Estadio de la Cerámica. As the club continues its pursuit of a top-four finish, Partey will aim to build match fitness and contribute consistently on the pitch while awaiting further legal proceedings off it.

His brief but assured return against Levante serves as a reminder of his technical quality and experience, even as uncertainty surrounds his future beyond the 2025/26 season.