Best Valencia CF Players of All Time: A Comprehensive List

Valencia CF is one of the most successful football clubs in Spain, with a rich history dating back to 1919. Over the years, the club has produced some of the greatest football players in the world, making it difficult to narrow down the list to just a few. In this article, we will take a look at the best Valencia CF players of all time, including those who played during the Golden Era and the Modern Era.

The Golden Era of Valencia CF was in the 1940s and 1950s, where they won six La Liga titles and four Copa del Rey titles. During this time, the club produced some of the greatest players in Spanish football history, including Antonio Puchades, Pasieguito, and Waldo Machado. These players helped establish Valencia CF as one of the top clubs in Spain and Europe.

In the Modern Era, Valencia CF continued to produce legendary players, including Gaizka Mendieta, David Albelda, and David Villa. These players helped the club win two La Liga titles and one UEFA Cup, cementing Valencia CF’s place in Spanish football history as a powerhouse team. In this article, we will take a closer look at the best Valencia CF players of all time, including the goalkeepers, defenders, midfielders, and forwards who made a significant impact on the club’s success.

Key Takeaways

• Valencia CF has a rich history of producing some of the greatest football players in Spain.
• The Golden Era of Valencia CF produced legendary players such as Antonio Puchades, Pasieguito, and Waldo Machado.
• The Modern Era of Valencia CF produced great players such as Gaizka Mendieta, David Albelda, and David Villa, helping the club win two La Liga titles and one UEFA Cup.

Golden Era Players

Valencia CF has had many great players throughout its history, but the Golden Era of the club is often associated with the late 1990s and early 2000s. During this time, Valencia won multiple La Liga titles, reached two consecutive UEFA Champions League finals, and produced some of the best players in the club’s history.

Mario Kempes

Mario Kempes is one of the most iconic players in Valencia CF’s history. The Argentine forward joined the club in 1976 and played for six seasons, scoring 145 goals in 276 appearances. Kempes was instrumental in Valencia’s first La Liga title win in 1979, scoring 24 goals in the league that season. He also helped the club reach the UEFA Cup final in 1980, scoring two goals in the final against Arsenal.

Pablo Aimar

Pablo Aimar is another player who is often mentioned when discussing Valencia’s Golden Era. The Argentine midfielder joined the club in 2001 and played for four seasons, helping Valencia win two La Liga titles and reach the UEFA Champions League final twice. Aimar was known for his creativity and vision on the field, and he formed a formidable partnership with fellow midfielder Ruben Baraja. Aimar scored 35 goals in 164 appearances for Valencia.

David Villa

David Villa is one of the most prolific goalscorers in Valencia CF’s history. The Spanish forward joined the club in 2005 and played for five seasons, scoring 129 goals in 225 appearances. Villa was a key player in Valencia’s 2007-08 season, scoring 28 goals in La Liga and helping the club finish third in the league. He also helped Valencia reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League that season. Villa’s performances for Valencia earned him a move to Barcelona in 2010.

These three players are just a few examples of the great players who played for Valencia CF during the Golden Era of the club. They helped the club achieve great success both domestically and in Europe, and their contributions will always be remembered by Valencia fans.

Modern Era Legends

Dani Parejo

Dani Parejo joined Valencia CF in 2011 and quickly became one of the most important players in the team. He played as a central midfielder, and his vision, passing ability, and leadership skills made him a fan favorite. Parejo was the captain of Valencia CF for several seasons and led the team to win the Copa del Rey in 2019.

Carlos Soler

Carlos Soler is a product of Valencia CF’s youth academy, and he made his first-team debut in 2016. Soler is a versatile midfielder who can play in several positions, including central midfield, attacking midfield, and right wing. He is known for his technical ability, pace, and crossing skills. Soler has already won several individual awards, including the Golden Boy award in 2017.

Rodrigo Moreno

Rodrigo Moreno joined Valencia CF in 2014 and quickly established himself as one of the best strikers in La Liga. He is a fast and agile forward who can score goals from different positions. Rodrigo played a key role in Valencia CF’s success in the 2018-2019 season, scoring 15 goals in La Liga and helping the team to win the Copa del Rey.

These three players are some of the most important modern era legends of Valencia CF. They have contributed to the team’s success in different ways, and their skills and achievements have earned them a place in Valencia CF’s history.

Goalkeepers

Valencia CF has had some of the best goalkeepers in the history of Spanish football. Here are the two best goalkeepers that have played for the club.

Santiago Canizares

Santiago Canizares is one of the greatest goalkeepers in Valencia CF’s history. He joined the club in 1998 and played for them for nine seasons. During his time with the club, he won two La Liga titles, one UEFA Cup, one European Super Cup, two Copa del Reys, and one Spanish Super Cup. He was also a part of the Spain national team that reached the quarter-finals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Canizares was known for his excellent reflexes, positioning, and leadership skills. He won the Zamora Trophy three times in a row from 2000 to 2003, which is awarded to the goalkeeper with the best goals-to-games ratio in La Liga. He played a total of 398 games for Valencia CF, which is the third-highest number of appearances for the club.

Jaume Domenech

Jaume Domenech is a current Valencia CF goalkeeper who has been with the club since 2015. He has played for the club in both La Liga and the Copa del Rey. Domenech is known for his excellent shot-stopping skills and his ability to command his area.

Domenech has played a total of 97 games for Valencia CF, keeping 30 clean sheets. He has been a reliable goalkeeper for the club and has helped them to secure some important victories. His performances have earned him a call-up to the Spain national team, where he has played as a backup goalkeeper.

Valencia CF has a rich history of producing world-class goalkeepers, and Canizares and Domenech are two of the best to have played for the club.

Defenders

Valencia CF has had some of the best defenders in the history of football. Here are two of the most notable defenders who have played for the club:

Roberto Ayala

Roberto Ayala is one of the greatest defenders to have ever played for Valencia CF. He played for the club from 2000 to 2007, making over 250 appearances. Ayala was known for his leadership skills and fantastic aerial ability. He was also a great tackler and rarely made mistakes.

Ayala helped Valencia win two La Liga titles and reach two Champions League finals. He was also a key player for Argentina, making over 110 appearances for the national team. Ayala was named Argentine Footballer of the Year three times and was included in the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team in 2006.

Amedeo Carboni

Amedeo Carboni played for Valencia CF from 1997 to 2005, making over 300 appearances for the club. He was a versatile defender who could play as a left-back or a left-wing-back. Carboni was known for his speed, stamina, and excellent crossing ability.

Carboni won two La Liga titles, one UEFA Cup, and one UEFA Super Cup with Valencia. He was also a key player for Roma, making over 400 appearances for the Italian club. Carboni retired in 2007 at the age of 42, making him one of the oldest outfield players to have ever played in Serie A.

Midfielders

David Albelda

David Albelda is a former Valencia CF player who played as a defensive midfielder. He played for the club for over a decade, between 1996 and 2013, making over 400 appearances for the team. Albelda was known for his tough tackling, great work rate, and exceptional leadership skills. He was an integral part of the Valencia team that won two La Liga titles and reached two UEFA Champions League finals in 2000 and 2001.

Ruben Baraja

Ruben Baraja is another former Valencia CF player who played as a central midfielder. He played for the club between 2000 and 2008, making over 250 appearances and scoring 35 goals. Baraja was known for his great vision, passing ability, and excellent ball control. He was a vital player in the Valencia team that won two La Liga titles and reached two UEFA Champions League finals in 2000 and 2001.

Baraja was also a key player in the Spanish national team, winning the UEFA European Championship in 2008 and making over 40 appearances for the national team.

Both Albelda and Baraja were exceptional midfielders for Valencia CF, and their contributions were vital in the team’s success during their time at the club.

Forwards

Valencia CF has had some of the best forwards in the history of Spanish football. In this section, we will take a look at two of the most iconic forwards to have played for the club.

Gaizka Mendieta

Gaizka Mendieta is one of the most technically gifted players to have played for Valencia CF. He was a versatile midfielder who could play on either wing or in the center of the park. However, he was at his best when deployed as an attacking midfielder.

Mendieta joined Valencia CF in 1992 and went on to spend nine seasons at the club. During his time at Valencia, he won two La Liga titles, one UEFA Cup, and reached two Champions League finals. He was also named the UEFA Midfielder of the Year in 2001.

Fernando Morientes

Fernando Morientes is one of the most prolific goal scorers to have played for Valencia CF. He was a lethal finisher who could score goals from anywhere on the pitch. Morientes joined Valencia CF in 2006 and spent two seasons at the club.

During his time at Valencia, Morientes scored 27 goals in 68 appearances. He was instrumental in helping Valencia reach the Champions League final in 2007, where they narrowly lost to AC Milan. Morientes’ partnership with David Villa was one of the most lethal in Spanish football at the time.

Overall, Gaizka Mendieta and Fernando Morientes are two of the best forwards to have played for Valencia CF. Their contributions to the club will always be remembered by the fans, and they will forever be considered as legends of Spanish football.

Conclusion

Valencia CF has had many talented players throughout its history. From the all-time top scorer Waldo to the legendary goalkeeper Santiago Canizares, the club has seen some of the best footballers in the world grace its pitch.

In this article, we have listed some of the best Valencia CF players of all time. These players have made significant contributions to the club and have helped it achieve great success on both the domestic and international stages.

Some of the notable players that have made it to our list include David Villa, Gaizka Mendieta, and Mario Kempes. These players have not only performed exceptionally well for Valencia but have also made significant contributions to the Spanish national team.

It is important to note that this list is not exhaustive and there have been many other great players that have played for Valencia CF. However, the players listed in this article have left an indelible mark on the club and its fans.

In conclusion, Valencia CF has a rich history and has been home to some of the best footballers in the world. The club’s success is a testament to the talent and dedication of its players, coaches, and staff. We hope that this article has provided you with some insight into the best Valencia CF players of all time.