Vicente Rodríguez

:"This article is about a Spanish football (soccer) player. For the Spanish boxer, see" Vicente Rodríguez (boxer).Football player infobox
playername = Vicente


fullname = Vicente Rodríguez Guillén
height = height|m=1.75
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1981|7|16
cityofbirth = Valencia
countryofbirth = Spain
currentclub = Valencia
clubnumber = 14
position = Left Winger
youthyears = ? - ?
youthclubs = Atlético Benicalap CF
years = 1997–00
2000–
clubs = UD Levante
Valencia
caps(goals) = 54 (9)
228 (34)
nationalyears = 2001–
nationalteam = Spain
nationalcaps(goals) = 38 (3)
pcupdate = November 12, 2007
ntupdate =

Vicente Rodríguez Guillén, commonly known as Vicente, (born July 16, 1981 in Valencia) nicknamed "El puñal de Benicalap" ("The dagger of Benicalap"), is a Spanish footballer. He currently plays for his native club Valencia CF in La Liga and the Spain national football team.

A charismatic left winger with an exceptional technique, blinding pace and a definite eye for goal, Vicente has grown to become one of the most illustrious footballers in the history of Valencia CF. His loyalty and commitment to the club over the years has made him a club legend with Valencia. Many still consider him as the best winger in La Liga, despite the fact that a series of ankle and muscle injuries has sidelined his career since 2005. Former Valencia manager Claudio Ranieri had once said: "It is clear that he is one of the best players. Some footballers are a little more than others and Vicente is one of them".

Club career

Levante UD (1997-2000)

A Valencia CF supporter since childhood, Vicente started his professional career in the community, with the Segunda division team Levante UD, and made his debut for the club in November 23, 1997 againgst Leganés. He immediately called the attention of the leading teams of the European and Spanish soccer like Real Madrid and Arsenal where manager Arsene Wenger has seen him as the perfect prospect for the Gunners. Eventually it was Valencia and sporting director of the club Javier Subirats who convinced the youngster to sign for them.

Valencia CF

After two seasons at Levante, he signed on for Valencia 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 33 La Liga games and made 13 appearances in the UEFA Champions League although he was left on the bench for the final against Bayern Munich.

2001-02

The arrival of Rafael Benítez as coach in the 2001-02 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. He scored 1 goal in 31 La Liga games.

2002-03

In the 2002-03 season the emergence of this quick-paced left midfielder signalled the end of Kily's career at Valencia. He appeared in 28 La Liga games, scoring one goal in a 3-0 home win against Recreativo de Huelva.

2003-04

The 2003-04 season was Vicente's finest season 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 to finish the goalscoring job just as right winger Francisco Rufete was doing at the opposite flank.After an amazing year Vicente linked with Manchester United FC but he turned down the move along with Valencia. "I'm happy to remain at Valencia because I was born here and it's my home." he said.

2004-05

In the 2004-05 season, however, under the management of Claudio Ranieri, his forays into the left wing position appeared stagnated as Ranieri opted to favour fellow Italian 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.

2005-06

The 2005-06 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 11 points behind Barcelona.

2006-07

Vicente was injured yet again in 2006-07, most notably in the first leg of a UEFA Champions League quarter final clash with Chelsea, 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 knocked out of the Champions League by Chelsea.

2007-08

He made an impressive comeback scoring the first goal in Valencia's 3-0 win against IF Elfsborg for the UEFA Champions League third round qualification in Mestalla.An injury will once again keep him out of action, this time on training meaning that he will be on the sidelines for a while. Disappointed that another year will be wasted, Vicente blamed publicly the medical staff for his continuing injuries. "I’m very low animically. I’ve lost all confidence in the medical staff, that is it. I’ve been defending them for the last two years, but I don’t see any way of the situation improving, when I’m still not recovered from one injury I get worse, or suffer from another one. They give me an injection and then I can’t move myself for a week because of the pain.

"On top of this, then they tell me maybe my injury doesn’t exist, and it is psychological. It's very hard, I can’t stand it any longer. I’ve lost all confidence in the doctor, but I don’t want to be bad to anyone, but here the person who loses is me, because I can’t play football nor can help my teammates. I only ask to play twenty minutes in one go.

"That is the worst part about it all, to know that when I have the opportunity to play with good health, things turn out well for me, and I play well, I can help the team," he concluded.

Valencia responded that they would open disciplinary proceedings against Vicente after he criticised the club's medical staff.

'The club will take the necessary action against the player depending on whether his conduct is considered a 'serious' or 'very serious' offence under internal regulations,' the La Liga side said in a statement.

Valencia ended the Vicente injury saga when they decide to fine him 1,200 euros following controversial remarks made regarding the club's medical staff.

2008-09

Vicente Rodriguez started this season well. He came on as a substitute in the first game of the season against Real Mallorca and scored the last goal in a 3-0 win for Valencia C.F.. The other goals came from David Villa and Spanish prodigy Juan Manuel Mata.

pain national team

Usually a regular with the Spanish national team Vicente marked his debut for the national side in a friendly against France in March 2001 although he was overlooked for the 2002 FIFA World Cup co-hosted by South Korea and Japan. Nevertheless, Vicente appeared in his first major tournament in the Euro 2004 competition in Portugal being one of Spain's key players, although the "Furia Roja"'s 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 injuries Vicente was left once again out of the Spain squad for FIFA World Cup 2006 and for the European Championship in 2008 in Austria & Switzerland.

Honours

Valencia

*Spanish La Liga: 2002, 2004
*UEFA Cup: 2004
*UEFA Super Cup: 2004
*Copa del Rey: 2007-08

Individual

*Spanish young footballer of the Year: 2003/04

Statistics

External links

* [http://www.vicenterodriguez81.tk Official Website]
* [http://www.lfp.es/historico/primera/plantillas/historial.asp?jug=6920 Player stats at www.lfp.es]