- This article is about a Spanish football (soccer) player. For the Spanish boxer, see Vicente Rodríguez (boxer).
| Vicente | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name |  Vicente Rodríguez Guillén |
|
| Date of birth | July 16 1981 | |
| Place of birth | Valencia, Spain | |
| Height | 175 cm : 72 kg | |
| Playing position | Left Winger | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Valencia |
|
| Number | 14 | |
| Youth clubs | ||
| ? - ? | Atlético Benicalap CF | |
| Senior clubs1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 1997–00 2000– |
UD Levante Valencia |
54 (9) 214 (34) |
| National team | ||
| 2001– | Spain |
38 (3) |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
||
Vicente Rodríguez Guillén, more commonly known simply as Vicente, (born July 16, 1981 in Valencia) is a professional Spanish footballer. He currently plays for his native club Valencia CF in La Liga and the Spain national football team. A very quick left winger with an exceptional technique and a definite eye for goal, Vicente has grown to become one of the most illustrious footballers in the history of Valencia CF alongside legendary players like Mario Kempes and Roberto Fernández. Many still consider him as the best winger in La Liga, despite the fact that a series of ankle and muscle injuries has sidelined his career since 2005.
Former Valencia manager Claudio Ranieri had once said: "It is clear that he is one of the best players. Some footballers are a little more than others and Vicente is one of them".
Contents |
Club career
Levante UD (1997-2000)
A Valencia CF supporter since childhood, Vicente started his professional career in the community, with the Segunda division team Levante UD, and made his debut for the club in November 23, 1997 againgst Leganés. He immidietly called the attention of the leading teams of the European and Spanish soccer like Real Madrid and Arsenal where manager Arsene Wenger has seen him us the perfect prospect for the Gunners. Eventually it was Valencia and sporting director of the club Javier Subirats who convinced the youngster to sign for them.
Valencia CF (2000-present)
After two seasons at Levante, he signed on for Valencia in the summer of 2000 where his performances were lauded but he faced tight competition operating on his favourite left winger position, then occupied by Kily Gonzalez. Despite the serious contention for a first-team place, he managed to net 5 goals in 33 La Liga games and made 13 appearances in the UEFA Champions League although he was left on the bench for the final against Bayern Munich. The arrival of Rafael Benítez as coach in the 2001-02 season would mark Vicente's opportunity to prove himself and he did not disappoint as his progress led to the club's first league title in over 30 years. The emergence of this quick-paced left midfielder signalled the end of Kily's career at Valencia. The 2003-04 season would perhaps be one of Vicente's finest seasons with the club as his energetic efforts propelled Los Ches to their second league title under Benítez and also European success with victory of the UEFA Cup. His runs down the left wing was vital to provide crosses for striker Mista to finish the goalscoring job just as right winger Francisco Rufete was doing at the opposite flank. In the 2004-05 season, however, under the management of Claudio Ranieri, his forays into the left wing position appeared stagnated as Ranieri opted to favour fellow Italian left wingback Emiliano Moretti to provide support for him rather than to let him have a free role along the left. Further, ankle injuries blighted his season and he spent much of the beginning of the season recuperating. His return to the club's starting eleven appeared to be too little too late as Ranieri was by then sacked and the club was struggling to find its once formidable form. The 2005-06 season would be much like the last one. The left winger has been dampened by an ankle injury again, playing only in 21 games. In his absence Valencia's results suffered, as they were unable to challenge for the title, finishing third behind Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Vicente was injured yet again in 2006-07, most notably in the first leg of a UEFA Champions League quarter final clash with Chelsea, ending his season. As a result of his injury, Valencia's results suffered as they finished fourth in the La Liga after having been title contenders for most parts of the season. They were also kicked out of the Champions League by Chelsea in the second leg.
Spain national team
Usually a regular with the Spanish national team Vicente marked his debut for the national side in a friendly against France in March 2001 although he was overlooked for the 2002 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by Japan and South Korea. Nevertheless, Vicente appeared in his first major tournament in the Euro 2004 competition in Portugal being one of Spain's key players, although the Furia Roja's insipid performances meant that he had to be content with only playing in the group matches, as Spain was eliminated. Failing to overcome on time from his injury Vicente was left once again out of the Spain squad for FIFA World Cup 2006.
Honours
Valencia
- Spanish La Liga: 2002, 2004
- UEFA Cup: 2004
- European Super Cup: 2004
- Spanish young footballer of the Year: 2003/04
Trivia
- Levante chairman Pedro Villarroel once added a €150m buy-out clause in the teenager's contract.
- Vicente is the fan's favourite at the Estadio Mestalla.
- The tattoo on his right arm means Vicente in chinese.
- His extraordinary skills has earned him the nickname "la joya de la corona" (the jewel in the crown}.
External links
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