Best Valencia Defenders of all time

Before we go to the exciting list of all-time best Valencia defenders, allow us to explain about the club and its’ stadium.

Valencia CF were founded in 1919 and have played their home games at the 55,000-seater Mestalla since 1923. They were expected to move into the new 75,000-seater Nou Mestalla in the northwest of the city in 2013, but the final move date has been postponed due to ongoing financial problems.

Valencia is the fourth-most supported football club in Spain, behind Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atlético Madrid. It is also one of the biggest clubs in the world in terms of number of associates (registered paying supporters), with more than 50,000 season ticket holders and another 20,000+ season ticket holders on the waiting list, who can be accommodated in the new 75,000-seater stadium.

Valencia has been home to many successful players in the world of football, such as David Silva, David Villa, David Albelda, Santiago Canizares, Raul Albiol,

,

, and Ferran Torres. They have achieved global reputation for their extraordinary youth academy, or Academia. They have achieved 6

titles and 8 Copa del Rey titles in their productive history. Valencia’s loyal fans are very well-known all around the world.

There are several different types of defender, ranging from the old fashioned and tough-tackling centre back with the warrior-like spirit to the marauding, pacey full-back who dribbles the ball down the wing before delivering a pin-point cross, but let’s not forget, they all try to stop attackers from scoring. This article lists defenders, who have actually helped Valencia achieve titles. Some of these names on this list, are extraordinary defenders, that are unknown to many young and teenage football fans out there. But, to many of us football nerds, defenders like Roberto Ayala, or Carlos Marchena, are very well-known to us football nerdies. Now, without further ado, let’s explore the list of best Valencia defenders of all time.

Best Ever Valencia Defenders

In this list, we go through top ten

all-time best Valencia defenders

.

Miguel (Luis Miguel Brito Garcia Monteiro)

The 1st name on the list of best Valencia defenders of all time is Miguel. His full name, like all Portuguese, is a full title itself. A classic right wing-back, he excelled in both attacking and defending. He enjoyed seven seasons with Valencia, out of which, he was a first choice right wing-back for Los Che for over 3 year. With Valencia, he earned one Copa del Rey in 2007-2008 season. Miguel’s international career was not as fruitful as his club spell. He was mostly a backup to Paulo Ferreira and Jose Bosingwa. Overall, he made 59 appearances for Portugal national team. Miguel was a great right back, and probably one of the best ever

defenders.

Jocelyn Angloma

The 2nd player on the list of best Valencia defenders of all time is Jocelyn Angloma. Another right wing-back, and the only French player on the list. He enjoyed 120 appearances with Valencia in Spain. He won several titles with Los Che, including one La Liga with Rafa Benitez, one Copa del Rey, one Spanish Super Cup, and one UEFA Intertoto Cup.

He also was a member of the Valencia squad, that became UEFA Champions League runner-ups in two consecutive seasons, 1999-2000 and 2000-2001. Angloma played 37 caps for France, and was part of the squad in Euro 1992 and Euro 1996. However, he also played 14 caps for his native region, Guadeloupe. This was valid, since Guadeloupe is not a FIFA member, and only plays in regional competitions. Jocelyn Angloma made a great partnership with Amedeo Carboni, another great defender on this list. He should definitely be held in high regards, and without a doubt, he is one of the all-time best

defenders.

Fabio Aurelio

The 3rd and only Brazilian on the list of best Valencia defenders of all time is Fabio Aurelio. Fabio Aurelio is a Brazilian former professional football player, who used to play as a left wing-back. Occasionally, he was employed as a left winger too. He signed for Valencia after the 2000 Olympics, helping Rafael Benitez’s team to their first La Liga championship in 31 years.

The next year, Aurelio established himself as one of the league's best left-backs after scoring eight league goals (ten in all competitions). He won the domestic La Liga championship as well as the 2003–04 UEFA Cup, defeating Marseille 2–0 in the latter competition's final. Injuries plagued most of Aurelio’s career, thus, he played 96 caps for Valencia in 6 seasons. Aurelio was known for his great set-piece taking, and shooting skills. He has a number of exceptional goals to his name. Fabio Aurelio is one of the

all-time best defenders at Valencia.

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Miguel Tendillo

The 4th name on the list of

best Valencia defenders of all time

is Miguel Tendillo. Tendillo used to play as a central defender. He was notably famous for his nearly 300 official appearances with Valencia. He won a Copa del Rey, a UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, and a

Later on, after Los Che’s relegation in 1986, he earned the interest of La Liga giants, Real Madrid.

The exact Miguel Tendillo’s statistics are as follows: he played in 327 complete matches, he was substituted in 22 of them, and he was a substitute in 17. he won 164 matches, drew 91, and lost 115. thus, recording a winning rate of 44%. in year 1980, he started in 31 matches, which was his record for Valencia. His son, Alberto Tendillo, has played for Valencia U-19, and Valencia B team. Yet, he has failed to make his way into the Los Che first team. Miguel Tendillo should definitely be regarded as one best Valencia defenders ever.

Carlos Marchena

The 5th and perhaps the most famous Spanish player on the list of

best Valencia defenders of all time

, is Carlos Marchena. Signed for Valencia in 2001, he enjoyed nine seasons with Los Che, winning two La Ligas, one Copa del Rey, one UEFA Cup, and one UEFA Super Cup. Marchena was Valencia’s captain, and his teammates used to say that he was a born-leader. He paired up very well with the Argentine beast, Roberto Ayala, and after he left Valencia, Marchena formed a great central defensive pair with teammate David Navarro.

He appeared in 307 games for Valencia, managing to score 11 goals for the club, and providing 7 assists. He got booked 94 times (WOW!), and was suspended four times. (not bad, not bad at all!)

The captain is for sure, one of the top central defenders in Valencia’s history, and one of the all-time best defenders at Valencia. 

Amedeo Carboni 

The 6th and only Italian on the list of best Valencia defenders of all time is Amedeo Carboni. The Italian left-back, was a strange signing for Valencia fans, at first, since he was already 32 when he signed for Valencia in 1997, but the former Roma captain proved himself worthy of 4 million Euros paid for him. He formed a great partnership with Jocelyn Angloma in his first years with Los Che, and this efficient pair-up helped the team win two national championships. Carboni played 44 competitory matches at the age of 38, as the club won La Liga and UEFA Cup double in 2003-04.

He became the oldest player at the age of 40 years six months and 17 days to come on to the field in La Liga, as well as holding the record for being the oldest winner any European club competition when he won the UEFA Cup. Amedeo Carboni should definitely be regarded as one of the best defenders in Valencia history.

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Voro (Salvador Gonzalez Marco)

The 7th name on the list of best Valencia defenders of all time is Voro. His full name is Salvador Gonzalez Marco, although he prefers to go by the name of Voro. Known as Valencia’s Iron Man, you probably know Voro from all the interim manager roles he has had with Valencia. He became Valencia’s caretaker six times in 12 years. (pretty impressive record). Voro was a Valencia CF academy member, born and raised. He played for Valencia B side in his first two years as a senior player. He played for Valencia for eight seasons.

He was appointed as assistant manager to the first team in 2017. In year 2016, he recorded a winning percentage of 40% as Valencia’s manager, with 10 wins and 11 losses out of 25 games. His best record was in 2008, recording 4 wins out of 5 games. Voro (the Iron Man) is surely one of the

best Valencia defenders ever

.

Paco Camarasa

The 8th and most loyal name on the list of

best Valencia defenders of all time

is Paco Camarasa. Paco Camarasa is a former Spanish central defender, who only played for Valencia. He is also on the list of one-club men. He played for Valencia for thirteen professional seasons. He amassed more than 300 overall appearances with Los Che. He won a UEFA Intertoto Cup in 1998, and a Copa del Rey in 1998-1999 season. He also played 14 caps for Spain, and played a part in 1994 FIFA World Cup, playing against

and Switzerland.

Paco played in 226 games and scored 5 goals. He retired on July 2003, and served as Valencia’s B team manager for a brief, one month spell. Later on, he was appointed as Valencia’s first team umpire. His son, Roberto Camarasa is currently without a club. 

Camarasa is definitely one of the

best defenders in Valencia history

.  

Roberto Ayala

The 9th and probably the most famous name on the list of best Valencia defenders of all time is Roberto Ayala. Perhaps the best central defender on the list of best Valencia defenders of all time, Ayala was known for his aerial ability and tenacious tackling, as well as his leadership skills, and consistency throughout his career. Ayala played for Los Che for seven seasons, earning two La Liga titles, and one UEFA Cup. Ayala alongside compatriot Mauricio Pellegrino, formed a formidable defensive pair in UEFA Champions League, with Ayala being named best defender of the 2000-2001 tournament. Valencia paid a total of 6.25 million Pounds for Roberto Ayala, and he made 275 caps during a seven-year spell at the club.

Ayala is considered as one of the club’s all-time legends. He was sold to Villarreal for a fee of 4.8 million Pounds in 2007. He now has the role of assistant manager to Lionel Scaloni, Argentina national team’s manager. One of the best features of Ayala, was his ability to form a great duo with almost every defender, from Mauricio Pellegrino, to Carlos Marchena. There is zero doubt that Roberto Ayala is one of the

best ever Valencia defenders

.

Ricardo Penella Arias

The last player on the list of best Valencia defenders of all time is Ricardo Arias. One of the most loyal men to Los Che, Arias played 16 of his 17 professional seasons with Valencia CF. he made his debut on November 7th 1976, and left the club in 1991-1992 season, signing for CD Castellon in Segunda Division. He was a center-back, but he was also employed as a defensive midfielder on occasions. That made Arias a versatile player. His passing abilities made him a defender who could provide long passes to his teammates during difficult times. He played 218 games for Valencia, scoring 3 goals. Fun fact about him, he played for 18665 minutes for Valencia! (around 311 hours!)

Do you agree with our list of

best Valencia defenders of all time

? Comment down below and let us know who do you think should be added to this list.

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