Valencia’s top 11 players
The 2000’s were an exceptional decade for Valencia CF. From Spanish league titles to Champions League finals, Valencia supporters were spoiled rotten.
Things deviated somewhat towards the end of the decade, with a financial meltdown and a relegation battle. But overall, Valencia experienced a renaissance.
Who were the players that spurred that resurgence?
Using a 4-3-1-2 system, here are Valencia’s top 11 players of the decade from my version.
Goalkeeper – Santiago Cañizares
Can there be another? The platinum blond, former Real Madrid ‘keeper was a rock in the net, playing in over 300 matches for Los Che. He won 4 Zamora trophies as best goalie in the country, played in 46 internationals with Spain and had it not been for an unfortunate aftershave bottle incident in 2002, started the World Cup for La Furia Roja.
While many of his acrobatic saves could be listed as his best moment in the Valencia shirt, the one that stands out is the tears he shed after losing the Champions League final to Bayern Munich on penalties in 2001.
The emotion he showed captivated many fan’s hearts. He displayed his devotion for the club and the fans who suffered with the team. He’s truly a VCF legend.
Defenders – Roberto Ayala, Mauricio Pellegrino, Amedeo Carboni, Carlos Marchena.
Defense carried Valencia to two league championships and two successive Champions League finals early in the decade.
The rock in the middle of the defense was Ayala, who recently retired. He captained Argentina more times than anyone else (63 times) and his solid play in the middle meant opposing offenses had to be creative to score against Valencia. He was a true defensive pest. They don’t make defenders like Ayala anymore.
Joining Ayala in the middle is Mauricio Pellegrino. He amassed nearly 200 appearances with Los Che and along with Ayala, anchored the best defense in Europe.
Italian international Amedeo Carboni played nine years for Los Che, eventually becoming sporting director. His fiery play and aggressive marking were a major reason clubs couldn’t count on wide play against Valencia’s defense. In 2005, Carboni became the oldest player in La Liga history at age 40.
Carlos Marchena rounds out the defense. While Marchena splits opinion with Valencia fans, the man’s impressive defensive abilities can’t be argued. He’s hard nosed and aggressive. He’s appeared with Los Che over 220 times and won the Euros and World Cup with country. Simply one of the best Valencia defenders ever.
Defensive Midfielder – David Albelda, Ruben Baraja, Gaizka Mendieta
While the defense anchored Valencia’s impressive record in the ‘00’s, the midfield provided service to the forwards and goals galore.
First up is David Albelda, another player who splits fan opinion. Some love him, some hate him. What can’t be argued is his devotion to the club, where he’s spent his entire career, over 300 games. Albelda isn’t flashy or creative. But he’s solid and an above average stopper. He’s in his twilight these days, but his contribution will not be forgotten.
Ruben Baraja is a true Valencia icon, one of the most underrated midfielders of the decade. He could shoot, he could create, he could out hustle, pass and defend with the best. He played a full decade with the squad and when he retired after last season, the club lost an influential presence they’ve yet to replace.
Gaizka Mendieta, who played as a midfielder. Versatile, with good offensive and tackling skills, also being capable of creating goals for teammates and himself. Mendieta had an even better year in 1999–2000. However, the biggest triumph of the season was helping Valencia reach the final of the season's UEFA Champions League, a 0–3 loss to fellow league side Real Madrid; later, he was awarded the "European Midfielder of the Season" award.
Playmaker - Pablo Aimar
Pablo Aimar is a strange case. An attacking midfielder with a range of skills, Aimar entertained the Valencia faithful for years with his silky passes, his genial midfield play and his gorgeous goals. Problem was, he couldn’t stay healthy and never truly fulfilled his promise. Still, many of his signature plays will forever live in the minds of Valencia fans.
Forwards – David Villa / Mista.
Any list of Valencia’s best has to include El Guaje, David Villa. Arguably the world’s best striker, Villa played for Los Che from 2005 to 2010, scoring an impressive 108 goals in 166 appearances. He was top scorer of Euro 2008, scored 5 goals in helping Spain win the 2010 World Cup and has scored 44 for country, tied with the legendary Raul.
Villa won the hearts of Valencia’s fans and although we would have loved to keep him, the financial debt forced our hand. Villa now plays for Barcelona and he’s continuing his impressive form, leading the offensive arsenal of arguably the world’s best club.
The last choice might seem odd, but while Mista isn’t as impressive as others on this list, his accolades at the club speak for themselves.
When Mista came to Valencia from Tenerfie in 2002, the club had a solid midfield and a superb defense but a shoddy offensive line.
In comes an unremarkable Mista, who straps on his work clothes and out hustles defenses, scoring 24 goals in all competitions en route to the UEFA Cup and league championship in 2004.
Maybe he peaked that season, as his offensive prowess fell back to Earth soon after. But for those years, Mista was a blessing, doing nothing remarkable but scoring goals when we needed them.
Things deviated somewhat towards the end of the decade, with a financial meltdown and a relegation battle. But overall, Valencia experienced a renaissance.
Who were the players that spurred that resurgence?
Using a 4-3-1-2 system, here are Valencia’s top 11 players of the decade from my version.
Goalkeeper – Santiago Cañizares
Can there be another? The platinum blond, former Real Madrid ‘keeper was a rock in the net, playing in over 300 matches for Los Che. He won 4 Zamora trophies as best goalie in the country, played in 46 internationals with Spain and had it not been for an unfortunate aftershave bottle incident in 2002, started the World Cup for La Furia Roja.
While many of his acrobatic saves could be listed as his best moment in the Valencia shirt, the one that stands out is the tears he shed after losing the Champions League final to Bayern Munich on penalties in 2001.
The emotion he showed captivated many fan’s hearts. He displayed his devotion for the club and the fans who suffered with the team. He’s truly a VCF legend.
Defenders – Roberto Ayala, Mauricio Pellegrino, Amedeo Carboni, Carlos Marchena.
Defense carried Valencia to two league championships and two successive Champions League finals early in the decade.
The rock in the middle of the defense was Ayala, who recently retired. He captained Argentina more times than anyone else (63 times) and his solid play in the middle meant opposing offenses had to be creative to score against Valencia. He was a true defensive pest. They don’t make defenders like Ayala anymore.
Joining Ayala in the middle is Mauricio Pellegrino. He amassed nearly 200 appearances with Los Che and along with Ayala, anchored the best defense in Europe.
Italian international Amedeo Carboni played nine years for Los Che, eventually becoming sporting director. His fiery play and aggressive marking were a major reason clubs couldn’t count on wide play against Valencia’s defense. In 2005, Carboni became the oldest player in La Liga history at age 40.
Carlos Marchena rounds out the defense. While Marchena splits opinion with Valencia fans, the man’s impressive defensive abilities can’t be argued. He’s hard nosed and aggressive. He’s appeared with Los Che over 220 times and won the Euros and World Cup with country. Simply one of the best Valencia defenders ever.
Defensive Midfielder – David Albelda, Ruben Baraja, Gaizka Mendieta
While the defense anchored Valencia’s impressive record in the ‘00’s, the midfield provided service to the forwards and goals galore.
First up is David Albelda, another player who splits fan opinion. Some love him, some hate him. What can’t be argued is his devotion to the club, where he’s spent his entire career, over 300 games. Albelda isn’t flashy or creative. But he’s solid and an above average stopper. He’s in his twilight these days, but his contribution will not be forgotten.
Ruben Baraja is a true Valencia icon, one of the most underrated midfielders of the decade. He could shoot, he could create, he could out hustle, pass and defend with the best. He played a full decade with the squad and when he retired after last season, the club lost an influential presence they’ve yet to replace.
Gaizka Mendieta, who played as a midfielder. Versatile, with good offensive and tackling skills, also being capable of creating goals for teammates and himself. Mendieta had an even better year in 1999–2000. However, the biggest triumph of the season was helping Valencia reach the final of the season's UEFA Champions League, a 0–3 loss to fellow league side Real Madrid; later, he was awarded the "European Midfielder of the Season" award.
Playmaker - Pablo Aimar
Pablo Aimar is a strange case. An attacking midfielder with a range of skills, Aimar entertained the Valencia faithful for years with his silky passes, his genial midfield play and his gorgeous goals. Problem was, he couldn’t stay healthy and never truly fulfilled his promise. Still, many of his signature plays will forever live in the minds of Valencia fans.
Forwards – David Villa / Mista.
Any list of Valencia’s best has to include El Guaje, David Villa. Arguably the world’s best striker, Villa played for Los Che from 2005 to 2010, scoring an impressive 108 goals in 166 appearances. He was top scorer of Euro 2008, scored 5 goals in helping Spain win the 2010 World Cup and has scored 44 for country, tied with the legendary Raul.
Villa won the hearts of Valencia’s fans and although we would have loved to keep him, the financial debt forced our hand. Villa now plays for Barcelona and he’s continuing his impressive form, leading the offensive arsenal of arguably the world’s best club.
The last choice might seem odd, but while Mista isn’t as impressive as others on this list, his accolades at the club speak for themselves.
When Mista came to Valencia from Tenerfie in 2002, the club had a solid midfield and a superb defense but a shoddy offensive line.
In comes an unremarkable Mista, who straps on his work clothes and out hustles defenses, scoring 24 goals in all competitions en route to the UEFA Cup and league championship in 2004.
Maybe he peaked that season, as his offensive prowess fell back to Earth soon after. But for those years, Mista was a blessing, doing nothing remarkable but scoring goals when we needed them.
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