Vicente Rodríguez

Vicente Rodríguez Guillén, more commonly known simply as Vicente, (born July 16, 1981 in Valencia (city in Spain)) is a professional Spain football (soccer). He currently plays for Spanish club Valencia CF in La Liga and the Spain national football team.

One of the most illustrious and famous footballers in the history of Valencia CF, Vicente is a very quick left Midfielder Winger with an exceptional technique and a definite eye for goal. He is still widely considered as the best winger in La Liga, despite the fact that a series of ankle and muscle injuries has sidelined his career since 2005.

Club career

A Valencia CF supporter since childhood, Vicente started his professional career in the community, with Levante UD, and made his debut for the club in the 1997-98 season. After two seasons at the club, he signed on for Valencia CF 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 La Liga 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 La Liga season 2001/2002 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 La Liga season 2003/2004 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 (footballer) to finish the goalscoring job just as right winger Francisco Rufete was doing at the opposite flank.

In the La Liga season 2004/2005 season, however, under the management of Claudio Ranieri, his forays into the left wing position appeared stagnated as Ranieri opted to favour fellow Italy 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 La Liga season 2005/2006 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 La Liga season 2006/2007, most notably in the first leg of a UEFA Champions League 2006-07 quarter final clash with Chelsea F.C., 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 Spain national football team Vicente marked his debut for the national side in a Football World Cup qualifying game against Austria national football team in September 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 2004 UEFA European Football Championship competition in Portugal being one of Spain's key players, although the Furia Rojas 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 player he most admires is Raúl González.