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| Raúl Albiol |
Basque, Catalonia, Castile without Madrid players, Madrid Community, Andalusia, Galicia, Asturias, Aragon.
Canary Islands, Ceuta and Melilla, Extremadura, Murica.
Spain without Real Madrid and Barcelona players
Spain without Real Madrid and Barcelona players
Valencia CF All-Time Team for Spanish Players
Valencia CF All-Time Team for Foreign Players
Valencia CF
Valencia CF All-Time Team for Foreign Players
Valencia CF
The Valencian Community is an autonomous community of Spain. It is the fourth most populous autonomous community after Andalusia, Catalonia and Madrid with more than 4.9 million inhabitants. Its homonymous capital Valencia is the third largest city and metropolitan area in Spain. It is located along the Mediterranean coast on the east side of the Iberian peninsula. It borders with Catalonia to the north, Aragon and Castilla–La Mancha to the west, and Murcia to the south. The Valencian Community consists of three provinces which are Castellón, Valencia and Alicante.
The football club in this region included Valencia CF, Villarreal CF, Elche CF, Levante, CD Alcoyano, Hércules CF, and CD Castellón.
Team
GK: Andreas Palop
Andreas Palop played with Valencia and Villarreal before going Sevilla. As a backup keeper, he won the UEFA Cup with Valencia. As a starter, he won it twice with Sevilla in 2006 and 2007. He moved aborad to play for Bayer Leverkusen at the end of his career in 2013. Despite being called up by Spain numerous times, he never took the field for the national team, but he was a part of the team that won European Championshp in 2008 as the third goalkeeper.
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| Andreas Palop |
Joined Atletico Madrid in 1995, he helped the club win a Double (league and Copa del Rey) in his first year. However, after Atletico Madrid relegated after the 1999-2000 season, he moved to Deportivo La Coruna and lasted until 2006. He played one season with Levante. He made his national team debut in 1996 as an outfielder because the team had used up all the subs. He also went to Euro 1996 and 2000, and France 1998.
GK: Pepin
Pepín joined UD Las Palmas in La Liga in 1951, making his competition debuts in the 1951–52 season (still not aged 20) and appearing in 14 games in a relegation-ending campaign. He joined in 1960. Pepín played twice for Spain, his debut coming in a 1964 European Nations' Cup match against Northern Ireland, his displays in the 1–0 win (2–1 on aggregate) earning him the nickname "The hero of Belfast".
RB: Juanfran Torres
After starting out at Real Madrid, Juanfran went on to make a name for himself in La Liga with Osasuna and Atlético Madrid. He was an important player under Diego Simeone's side between 2011 and 2019. He joined Sao Paulo in 2019 as the second Spanish footballer to play for the Brazilian club. He had 22 caps for Spain. He presented the nation at the 2014 World Cup, and Euro 2012 and 2016.
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| Juanfran |
From 1956 to 1965, Piquer played for Valencia CF as they won consecutive editions of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. During his spell, he earned a reputation for his man-marking of Real Madrid's Francisco Gento. He later played with Malaga. He had a single cap with Spain in a friendly match against France.
CB: Antonio Maceda
Maceda played with Sporting de Gijón between 1976 and 1985. He then played with Real Madrid, where he won a league/UEFA Cup double. His career ended after an injury in 1988 at the age of 31. Maceda earned 36 caps for Spain. He played in three major tournaments: the 1982 and 1986 World Cup, and Euro 1984. In Euro 84, Maceda headed the winning goal against West Germany side, sending the country to the semifinals and he scored again the semifinal against Denmark.
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| Antonio Maceda |
Ricardo Penella Arias spent 15 seasons out his 16 professional seasons with Valencia and payed 377 matches, winning the 1980 Cup Winners' Cup. He followed the club to the lower division as it relegated after the 1985-1986 season. For the Spanish national team, he only played a single game for Spain in 1979 against Portugal.
CB: Miguel Tendillo
Tendillo started his career with local Valencia CF, being an automatic first-choice since the age of 18 in 1979, winning the 1980 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup. He played there until 1986. After a single season with Real Murcia, he joined Real Madrid in 1987. Tendillo earned his first cap for Spain in 1980 before he was 20. Subsequently, he was called for that year's European Championship and the 1982 World Cup, appearing in a total of 27 matches.
CB: Raúl Albiol
Albiol started with Valencia CF in 2004. He joined Real Madrid in 2009, where he played until 2013. From 2013 to 2019, he played for Napoli in Italy. Then, he joined Villarreal, where he helped them to win Europa League in 2021. From 2007 onward, he earned 56 caps for Spain. He was a part of Spain's triple crown(Euro 2008 and 2012 and World Cup 2010), but he was an unused player in 2010 and 2012. He also went to the 2014 World Cup Finals.
Like his son, Manuel, he represented Real Madrid and Spain. They were one of only three father/son pairs to have won the European Cup/Champions League. He played in 213 La Liga games over the course of ten seasons. He also represented CD Condal, Real Valladolid and Córdoba CF. An international during nearly two years, Sanchís appeared with the national team at the 1966 World Cup.
LB/CB: Raúl Bravo
Raul Bravo spent 6 seasons with Real Madrid during the first "Galactico" years after graduating from Real Madrid's academy. In 2007, he left for Olympiakos in Greece, where he played another 4 seasons. He was capped 14 times for the Spanish national team. He played every game at the 2004 European Championship in Portugal.
DM: Antonio Puchades
From 1949 to 1958, Antonio Puchades played for his hometown Valencia, his only club. He won the only league title in his debut season, but he only played 4 games that season. For Spain, he received 23 caps between 1949 and 1954, and went to the 1950 World Cup Finals, starting every game. Spain finished 4th in Brazil. He was born in 1925.
DM/CM: David Albelda
Except for two loan spells, David Albelda played his entire career with Valencia. He was the heart and soul of the team that won two legaue title, an UEFA Cup and two runnerup medals at the Champions' league. He was known for his midfield partnership with Ruben Baraja. He also served as their captain from 2001. He was capped 51 times for Spain. He went to two World Cup Finals and a single European Championship. He narrowly missed the European Championship in 2008.
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| David Albelda |
From 1966 to 1978, Jose Claramunt played for his only club, Valencia. He won the league title in the 1970-71 season, but also lost three Copa del Rey Finals in row during the early 1970's. He earned 23 caps, six of which as the captain, but he never played in any major international tournament. His brother Enrique also played for Valenca at the same time.
CM: Guillermo Amor
Amor was a product of FC Barcelona's youth ranks, and made his first-team debuts in the 1988–89 season. He was a part Johan Cruyff's Dream Team that the 1992 European Cup. Amor left Barça in 1998, whet he was among the leader in appearance for the club. He then played for Fiorentina and Villarreal CF. At the international level, he earned 37 caps. He appeared in Euro 1996 and the 1998 World Cup Finals.
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| Guillermo Amor |
Asensi began his career at Elche CF before joining FC Barcelona in 1970. During his time at the club, he was instrumental in helping the Catalans win the league in 1974, also adding the Cup Winners' Cup in 1979 and scoring in the final. Asensi represented Spain 41 times, scoring seven goals. He went to the 1978 World Cup Finals and Euro 1980.
AM: Fernando Gomez Colomer
Better known as Fernando, he has the appearance record and 4th highest scorer for Valencia. He made his professional debut wuth them as a 18 years old. He was voted the best player in La Liga for 1988 and 1989. He also played for English First Division side Wolverhampton Wanderers at the end of his career for a single season. He played 8 times for Spain. He went to the World Cup Finals in 1990 for Spain, making a single appearance in the Finals against South Korea.
RW: Lobo Carrasco
Between 1978 and 1989, Lobo Carrasco played for Barcelona FC. He held the record with most Cup Winners' Cup titles. He then spent three seasons with Ligue 1 club FC Sochaux-Montbéliard. He retired after a short stint with UE Figueres. He had 35 caps with Spain between 1979 and 1988, and attended the Euro 1980 and 1984, and the 1986 World Cup Finals in Mexico.
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| Lobo Carrasco |
Vicente moved to Valencia from Levante in 2000. He was a part of the great team that won two League titles and the 2004 UEFA Cup. At his peak, he was among the best wingers in the world, but his injuries limited his career. He later played with Brighton & Hove Albion in England at the end of his career. For the national team, he only managed 38 caps between 2002 and 2005. He only made it to Euro 2004.
LB/LW/MF: Vicente Asensi
Asensi spent all his career with Valencia CF where he played 308 games and scored 33 goals. Together with Epi, Amadeo, Mundo and Gorostiza they made up one of the best attacks in the 1940s. He played as left winger during most of his career but was moved further back as he grew older and ended up playing as a defender. At international level, he also gained six caps with Spain between 1945 and 1950.
FW: Vicente Guillot
Vicente played for Mestalla CF from 1959 to 1961 From 1961 to 1970, he played for Valencia CF, where he became a star. His fans over there were known as "Guillotistas" while his teammate Waldo had his own fans better known as "Waldistas". He moved to Elche CF in 1970. At the international level, he was capped 6 times for Spain. He was best remembered for scoring a hat trick against Romania in 1962.
ST: Manuel Badenes
Badenes started his career at CD Castellón. His first season at the club saw him score four goals in ten games which resulted in a move to Barcelona in 1947. He spent two season at the club, winning two La Liga titles before moving to Valencia in 1950. He scored 90 goals in 97 games at Valencia before moving to Real Valladolid, where he won the Pichichi trophy awarded to the top scorer in La Liga in 1958.
ST: Roberto Soldado
After emerging through Real Madrid's youth system, Roberto Soldado had limited actions with the first team. However, he became a more regular for Osasuna, Getafe, and Valencia. After he had an unsuccessful spell with, Tottenham Hotspur, he joined Villarreal. From 2007 to 2013, he had 12 caps and 7 goals for Spain. He went to the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup squad. He also played for Fenerbahçe and Granada.
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| Roberto Soldado |
Honorable Mention
Pablo Hernández, Bruno Soriano, Francisco Rufete, José Luis Gayà, Javi Moreno, Saúl Ñíguez, Paco Alcácer, Juanfranc Garcia, Gaspar Rubio, Fernando Giner, Paco Camarasa,Voro, Ricardo Arias, Javi Navarro, José Luis Gayà, Juan Bernat, Claudio Barragán, Pichi Alonso, Roberto Fernández Bonillo, Enrique Saura, Agustín Sancho, Ferran Torres.
Squad Explanation
-- This is the all-time team for Valencian Community. I also did an Valencia CF All-Time team and a Valencia CF All-Time team for Spanish players for the La liga club team. I used contributions to local clubs in the region as one of the criterias, but I looked beyond the local clubs for my selections. For example, Raúl Albiol was not a member of my Valencia CF All-Time Team because he did not stay long enough with the club. For the Valencian Community, I was looking the overall career of the given player. Albiol is the most capped player ever from this region. He was a part of the Spanish national team that won the triple crown. He has done more than enough to be among the greatest Valenican footballer.
-- I used mainly birthplace as a criteria because it is hard to judge a person by ethnicity. For example, Manuel Sanchís Martínez was born here so he was selected, but his son was born in Madrid. I do not know if Manuel Sanchís Hontiyuelo was an ethnic Valencian. I ruled him ineligible for now. Of course, if a player is obviously a Basque or Catalonian, I would not select him. The internet has plenty of information about the two nationalities, but not about Valencians.
-- Agustín Sancho was the first player from Valencia to play for the national team. He played in Spain's first ever international match. Unfortunately, I can only put him on honorable mention. Raúl Albiol is the most capped player ever from this region. David Albelda is second. Gaspar Rubio is the first Valencian to score for Spain.
-- I have problems finding suitable goalkeepers. José Francisco Molina and Andrés Palop were solid goalkeepers, but they did not get the same recognition outside of La Liga. They played with a number of good Spanish goalkeepers in their prime. Their exposure outside of Spain was limited due to the lack of international caps. I do not know much about José Manuel Sempere and José Bañón. I took Pepin as the third keeper because he helped Spain to qualify for the Finals of 1964 European Championship, in which he earned the nickname of "the Hero of Belfast".
-- Goalkeeper Andrés Palop never played for Spain, but he was an unused substitute on many occasions. He was the third keeper in Euro 2008 as Spain won the tournament. He picked up a major international championship Gold medal without ever receiving a cap.
-- Valencia has a large number of good centerbacks. I have explained Raul Albiol's selection above.
-- Antonio Maceda, Ricardo Arias, Miguel Tendillo, Paco Camarasa and Fernando Giner roughy played in the same time(1980's and early 1990's). Antonio Maceda had the best reputation while Miguel Tendillo had the most international caps. Maceda's injuries while with Real Madrid kept him even becoming a bigger name. He was forced to retire early.
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| Miguel Tendillo |
-- Javi Navarro was more of a club legend with Sevilla, a club not in Valencia. So I put him on honorable mention only.
-- Juanfran established himself with Atletico Madrid under Diego Simeone. Atletico Madrid reached two Champions' League Final during his spell with the club.
-- For leftback, Manuel Sanchís Martínez was probably the most well-known because of his association with Real Madrid. José Luis Gayà and Juan Bernat are too young to be considered at the moment (February, 2020). So I took Raúl Bravo over Antonio López.
-- I selected 4 players named "Vicente" who all played for Valencia CF. Injuries kept Vicente Rodriguez from reaching full potential, but he was among the best wingers in the world while playing for Valencia CF. Vicente Guillot formed forged a letal partnership with Waldo, who was one of the club's greatest players. Rightback Vicente Piquer was known for his battle against Real Madrid's Francisco Gento. Vicente Asensi formed a famous line alongside Mundo, Epi, Amadeo and Guillermo Gorostiza with the club.
-- Saúl Ñíguez is very talented, but at the age of 26, I am not ready to select him over other great players mentioned here.
-- Fernando Gomez Colomer was one of Valencia CF's greatest players. Juan Manuel Asensi is also known as one of Spain's great midfielders of his generation. So I have to leave off Enrique Saura.
-- Then, I selected a number of midfielders who contributed to Valencia CF. So I have to leave off Roberto Fernández Bonillo. But I took another ex-Barcelona player Guillermo Amor over him. Amor was an important during Johan Cruyff's time as Barcelona's coach.
-- Bruno Soriano was an unsung hero for another local club Villarreal, but I have no space for him. I just listed the players ahead of him. Unfortunately, he played in a generation when Spain was full of talents in midfield. His exposure outside Villarreal was limited.
-- The forward line lacked a big name player. Manuel Badenes is among the highest goal scorer in Valencia CF's history.
Formation
-- For leftback, Manuel Sanchís Martínez was probably the most well-known because of his association with Real Madrid. José Luis Gayà and Juan Bernat are too young to be considered at the moment (February, 2020). So I took Raúl Bravo over Antonio López.
-- I selected 4 players named "Vicente" who all played for Valencia CF. Injuries kept Vicente Rodriguez from reaching full potential, but he was among the best wingers in the world while playing for Valencia CF. Vicente Guillot formed forged a letal partnership with Waldo, who was one of the club's greatest players. Rightback Vicente Piquer was known for his battle against Real Madrid's Francisco Gento. Vicente Asensi formed a famous line alongside Mundo, Epi, Amadeo and Guillermo Gorostiza with the club.
-- Saúl Ñíguez is very talented, but at the age of 26, I am not ready to select him over other great players mentioned here.
-- Fernando Gomez Colomer was one of Valencia CF's greatest players. Juan Manuel Asensi is also known as one of Spain's great midfielders of his generation. So I have to leave off Enrique Saura.
-- Then, I selected a number of midfielders who contributed to Valencia CF. So I have to leave off Roberto Fernández Bonillo. But I took another ex-Barcelona player Guillermo Amor over him. Amor was an important during Johan Cruyff's time as Barcelona's coach.
-- Bruno Soriano was an unsung hero for another local club Villarreal, but I have no space for him. I just listed the players ahead of him. Unfortunately, he played in a generation when Spain was full of talents in midfield. His exposure outside Villarreal was limited.
-- The forward line lacked a big name player. Manuel Badenes is among the highest goal scorer in Valencia CF's history.
-- At the time of writing, Roberto Soldado and Vicente Asensi (the latter with the highest number of games played) is the all-time top Valencian scorers with 7 goals for the national team. Soldado got onto the team based upon that.
-- I do not know much about Gaspar Rubio. He was from the pre-War generation.
Formation
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