26/10/2006
Roberto Ayala
1.77 m, 76 kg
12 April 1973 - Paraná, Argentina
Clubs:
Ferro Carril Oeste (1991-94), River Plate (1994-95), Napoli (1995-98), AC Milan (1998-2000), Valencia (2000- )
Season 2005-2006:
Primera Division: 23 matches, 2 goals
2006 World Cup: 5 matches, 1 goal
Although Roberto Ayala is not very tall for a central defender he is very strong in the air and he regularly scores with his head. He began his football career 15 years ago with Ferro Carril Oeste in Argentina. Via River Plate he finally arrived at Napoli in Italy. Ayala has been playing for Valencia since 2000. Here he has won the national championship twice and the UEFA Cup once.
Following the seventh place in the Primera Division in the 2004/2005 season the objective for Valencia last season was qualification for the Champions League. Thanks to a third place in the competition this objective was achieved under Ayala's captaincy.
The 2006 World Cup so began well for Argentina that they became the title favourite after the group phase. This was not only due to their good attack, but definitely also to their solid defence. Top centre-forwards as Kezman, Van Nistelrooy and Borgetti were played off the field by Ayala. The elimination after penalties in the quarter-finals by Germany came therefore as an unpleasant surprise.