The 10 Greatest Valencia Players of All Time
Valencia are currently facing challenges. The club has experienced considerable difficulties under Peter Lim's ownership and once again finds itself concerned about the lower end of the table. Historically, Valencia have regularly competed for the top positions, aiming for European qualification and occasionally securing a trophy.Therefore, this list celebrates ten of the greatest Valencia players of all time and looks back at better times in the club's history. The chosen players are presented in no particular order.
1. Edmundo Suárez
He is the all-time leading scorer for Valencia CF, a lethal striker who led the legendary "Electric Forward Line". The Basque forward netted 266 goals in 286 appearances for Valencia between 1939 and 1950. He won two Pichichi trophies and is among the highest scorers in La Liga history.He also won three league titles, two Spanish Cups, and the 1950 Copa Eva Duarte with the Valencian club. Mundo is a Valencia legend as a player, but if that wasn't enough, he was also a legend as a manager, winning the 1967 Spanish Cup with iconic players like Sol and Waldo.
2. Rubén Baraja
Rubén Baraja was one of the key players in one of the most successful Valencia CF teams, forming an excellent midfield partnership with David Albelda. He joined the club in the summer of 2000, shortly after Valencia had lost their first Champions League final, and helped them reach the final again in 2001, where they lost to Bayern Munich. "El Pipo" made 362 appearances from 2000 to 2010, scoring 58 goals and winning five titles: two La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, one UEFA Cup, and one UEFA Super Cup.3. Mario Kempes
Mario Kempes is recognized by many as the best player in Valencia CF's history. In the summer of 1976, he arrived in Valencia and made his mark. A powerful striker with skill, speed, and class, he scored 149 goals in 246 appearances for the Valencian club. He won the Pichichi Trophy twice, making him Valencia's third all-time leading scorer, behind Mundo and Waldo. He was Valencia's first World Cup winner, having won the 1978 tournament with Argentina. During his time at Valencia, he won a Copa del Rey, a European Cup Winners' Cup, and a European Super Cup.
Gaizka Mendieta here playing for Barcelona during a footballer legends match in China 2015
4. Gaizka Mendieta
Gaizka Mendieta served as the captain of a prominent Valencia team during the height of his career from 1999 to 2001. During this period, he gained recognition as one of the top players in Europe and helped Valencia win the Copa del Rey and Supercopa in 1999, as well as reach the Champions League final on two occasions (2000 and 2001). He ended his Valencia career with a total of 62 goals in more than 360 matches.Notable moments in his career include a remarkable goal at San Mamés after maneuvering through the Athletic Bilbao defense, a striking volley from outside the box following a corner at the Camp Nou, and a significant goal against Atlético Madrid in the 1999 Copa del Rey final. More than two decades after leaving for Lazio, he continues to be held in high esteem by Valencia supporters.
5. Waldo Machado
One of the greatest Brazilian players in Valencia's history, Waldo Machado combined power, class and precision with the speed to beat his marker. He was also an excellent finisher, both with his feet and in the air. An expert at free kicks, he remains the club's second-highest scorer and is remembered as a true legend. Wearing the Valencia shirt, he played 296 matches and scored 160 goals from the 1961/62 to the 1969/70 season. His trophy cabinet includes two Inter-Cities Fairs Cups (1962 and 1963) and the 1967 Spanish Cup, while he also won the Pichichi Trophy as La Liga's top scorer in the 1966/67 season.6. Pablo Aimar
From 2001 to 2006, Pablo Aimar played an influential role at the club, making 238 appearances, scoring 38 goals, and providing 42 assists. He secured two La Liga titles, one UEFA Cup, and one UEFA Super Cup. In 2002, he was nominated for the Ballon d'Or and in 2006 received the EFE Trophy as the best Ibero-American player in La Liga. His performances helped forge a lasting connection with the supporters at Mestalla.
7. Santiago Cañizares
The goalkeeper Santiago Cañizares won eight titles with Valencia, including two La Liga titles, two Copa del Rey trophies, a UEFA Cup, a UEFA Super Cup, a Spanish Super Cup and a UEFA Intertoto Cup. Cañizares also won three of his four career Ricardo Zamora Trophies during his time at Valencia.
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8. David Villa
David Villa scored 129 goals in 225 appearances for Valencia from 2005 to 2010, although the club won only one title during this period, the 2008 Copa del Rey. Individually, he received the Don Balón Award for the best Spanish player in La Liga in 2006 and won four Zarra Trophies, in 2005/06, 2006/07, 2008/09, and 2009/10. During his prime, he was considered one of the best strikers in the game.9. Roberto Ayala
The Argentinian Roberto Ayala is one of the greatest center-backs in Valencia's history. "El Ratón" (The Mouse) won two La Liga titles, a UEFA Cup, and a UEFA Super Cup with the club. He was even nominated for the 2004 Ballon d'Or as a Valencia player."It's special, I think it might have been love at first sight," Ayala said in 2020. "Putting on that shirt was like a dream, and I don't remember having any bad games there. I felt like I was able to give my best performance as a footballer there, in that stadium. When people talk to me about stadiums, we go to those in England, Italy, and sometimes I don't even mention Valencia's, because I tell them, Mestalla is my home."
"That's where it all ends. I had a tough time when I missed the Centenary match because of my commitment to the national team, as it prevented me from hugging my teammates again and embracing the fans. I missed something wonderful, but I'll make up for it soon by watching Valencia CF matches..."