Club Day: Valencia - All Time XI

Santiago Canizares (1998-2008)

Santiago Canizares developed at the youth academy of Real Madrid and signed for Valencia after failing to settle in the Spanish capital. He was supposed to fill in the yawning boots of Andoni Zubizzareta and he more than did so. In 10 seasons at the Mestalla, nesides sporting weird hair-styles, Canizares featured in 300 league matchs and in over 400 official matches for Valencia. He was a huge player for Los Che in these 10 years and developed into one of the best goalkeepers of all time and into a Valencia legend. He won the Spanish league twice with Valencia and also won the UEFA Cup in 2003-2004.

Roberto Fabian Ayala (2000-2007)

Roberto Fabian Ayala played for Valencia for seven years and was one of the best central defenders during the time. Known for his cynical challenges and tackles, Ayala was also a huge leader for Los Che both on and off the pitch and featured in 183 league matches. Ayala won La Liga twice with Valencia and also won the UEFA Cup in 2003-2004.

Amedeo Carboni (1997-2006)

Amedeo Carboni might have tarnished his image somewhat after the stint as Valencia's sporting direstor but as a player, he is an absolute legend for Los Che. He moved to Valencia in 1997 and went on to play almost 250 league matches. A world class left back, Carboni won the Spanish first division title twice with Valencia and also won the UEFA Cup in 2004.

Mauricio Pellegrino (1999-2005)

Mauricio Pellegrino played for Valencia between 1999 and 2005 and expressed his versatality by playing as either as†a centre-back or a sweeper. He featured in 197 league fixtures for Valencia and won two Spanish first division titles and one UEFA Cup medla with Valencia. He missed the decisive penalty against Bayern Munich in the final of the UEFA Champions League in 2001.

Antonio Puchades (1946-1958)

Antonio Puchades Casanova is a Valencia legend and spent his entiring playing career at the club. He made a close to 300 league appearances for Valencia and was a huge figure at the club, winning the Liga once and the Copa del Rey twice. He played as a defensive midfielder.

David Albelda (1996-)

David Albelda developed at the youth academy of Valencia and has been at the Mestalla all his life. A defensive midfielder by trade, Albelda is known for his tackles, vision, anchormanship and leaderships qualities. He is a huge favourite among the fans and is an ever present figure in the Valencia although he was weirdly chucked ot of the squad last seaon by the now departed coach Ronald Koeman.

Pablo Aimar (2001-2006)

Pablo Aimar arrived at the Mestalla from River Plate with the reputation of being the New Maradona and played like one too in his time at Valencia. His tricks and runs and wonderful goals and moves made him a hugely popular figure among the Valencia supporters and a world class footballer. He featured in 162 league matches for Valencia and won the Spanish league twice and the UEFA Cup once.

Gaizka Mendieta (1992-2001)

Gaizka Mendieta established himself as a world class midfielder in his time at Valencia. Known for his versatality, quick thinking abilities and chiseled vision, Mendieta played over 200 league matches for Los Che and progressed to become one of the best players for Valencia during the time. His great display for Valencia earned him a 48 million euro transfer move to Italian club Lazio.

Kily Gonzalez (1999-2003)

Argentine winger Kily Gonzalez was part of the Valencia squad that rocked Europe at the turn of the century. His runs and exquisite crosses from the left wing were key in Valencia establishing themselves as a force to be reckon with. He finished runenr-up with Valencia in the UEFA Champions League in 2000 and 2001 and won the league in 2002 with Los Che.

David Villa (2005-)

David Villa is only in his fourth season at the Mestalla but he has become one of the best players. He not only scored goals, he creates them and takes most of the free-kicks and corner kicks for his side. Villa came to Valencia as a promising young Spanish striker and has developed into a truly world class player who is arguably the best striker in the Spanish top flight at the moment. Many suggest that the 2008-2009 season cold be his last in a Valencia shirt but even then he would have carved his name in the hstory of the club. 

Mario Kempes (1977-1981; 1982-1984)

Argentine legend Mario Kempes was a huge star at Valencia and scored goals for fun. He was arguably the best player for Valencia at the time and scored 95 goals in 143 league matches and 21 goals in 42 league matches in his second spell at the club.

Subhankar Mondal