This Valencia all-time XI consists of some world beaters!
Founded in 1919, six-time La Liga champions Valencia have been one of the most consistent clubs in Spain for quite some time. Despite some major off-field issues that they suffered in the last couple of decades, Valencia are still one of the most successful clubs in Spain.
have won six Spanish League titles, eight Copa del Rey titles, one Uefa Cup, one Cup Winners' Cup and two Super Cups among other continental accolades. They also reached two Champions League finals in a row (2000 and 2001).
Their youth academy is one of the best in the world, giving rise to global talents like Gaizka Mendieta, David Silva, Jordi Alba, Isco and many others.
So it's clear that their best XI in history will be a sight to behold!
Let's take a look!
GettyGK: Santiago Canizares
Santiago Canizares arrived at Valencia from Real Madrid in 1998.
The Spanish goalkeeper helped Valencia win the Spanish Cup and Supercup finals in 1999, while also helping them reach consecutive Champions League finals (2000 and 2001).
In the 2001 Champions League final, he saved a penalty from Bayern Munich's Mehmet Scholl in normal time of an eventual penalty shootout defeat.
Canizares won La Liga with Valencia in the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons along with the Uefa Cup and Supercup in 2004.
Two other Valencia goalkeepers deserve a special mention here.
First is Ignacio Eizaguirre. The Spaniard joined in 1940 and went on to make 197 appearances for the club before returning to his former club Real Sociedad in 1950. He won three La Liga titles and two domestic cups at Valencia.
The second is Diego Alves. The Brazilian shot-stopper joined Valencia from Almeria in 2011 and made 146 appearances for . However, Real Madrid and Barcelona's dominance in Spain meant he couldn't win a single trophy at the club despite delivering tremendous performances over his eight-year spell.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesRCB: Ricardo Arias
It was difficult, almost impossible, to pick the best right centre-back in Valencia's three-man defence, but we had to go with Ricardo Arias.
Arias spent 15 of his 16 professional football years at Valencia after graduating from the club's academy.
Between 1976 to 1992, Arias made 501 appearances for the club, winning three major titles including the 1980 Cup Winners' Cup, the 1978-79 Copa del Rey and the 1980 Super Cup.
In La Liga, he played 377 matches for
Two other defenders who were quite legendary for Valencia are Carlos Marchena and Jocelyn Angloma.
Marchena joined the club in 2001 and went on to make 230 appearances for them until 2010, winning two La Liga titles, a Copa del Rey, a Uefa Cup and a Super Cup.
Angloma arrived at the Mestalla towards the end of his career in 1997, making 120 appearances in a five-year spell. In those five years, he won a La Liga title, a Copa del Rey, a Spanish Super Cup and the Uefa Intertoto Cup along with leading Valencia to back-to-back Champions League finals in 1999-2000 and 2000-01.
Getty ImagesCB: Roberto Ayala
The greatest central defender in Valencia's history, Roberto Ayala was known for his incredible aerial ability and tough tackling.
The Argentina legend played for Los Che for seven seasons, earning 187 caps and two La Liga titles along with a Uefa Cup.
Ayala's impressive performances in the 2001 Champions League saw Valencia reach the final before losing to Bayern Munich in a penalty shootout.
If not for Ayala's brilliance, Miguel Tendillo would have been worth a shout. The defender made 208 appearances for the club between 1979 and 1986, winning a Copa del Rey, a Cup Winners' Cup and a Super Cup.
GettyLCB: Amedeo Carboni
After spending most of his career in Italy, defender Amedeo Carboni arrived in Spain with Valencia in 1997.
The Italian went on to stay nine years at the club, inspiring them to win two La Liga titles, a Copa del Rey, a Spanish Super Cup, a Uea Cup, a Super Cup and an Intertoto Cup, before retiring from professional football.
Carboni is to date fondly remembered by the Valencia faithful. He played 245 games for the club and made his last appearance for them at the age of 41.
Paco Camarasa's contribution to Valencia can never be undermined. He remained a one-club man throughout his career, making 266 appearances for the senior team between 1988 to 2000. Camarasa helped Valencia win the Intertoto Cup in 1998 and the Copa del Rey in the 1998-99 season.