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Vicente Rodríguez

For other people named Vicente Rodríguez, see Vicente Rodríguez (disambiguation).
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Rodríguez and the second or maternal family name is Guillén.

Vicente Rodríguez Guillén (Spanish pronunciation: [biˈθente roˈðɾiɣeθ ɣiˈʎen]; born 16 July 1981), known simply as Vicente, nicknamed El puñal de Benicalap (The dagger of Benicalap),[2] is a Spanish former professional footballer.

Vicente
Vicente as a Valencia player in 2010
Personal information
Full name Vicente Rodríguez Guillén[1]
Date of birth (1981-07-16) 16 July 1981 (age 43)[1]
Place of birth Valencia, Spain[1]
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[1]
Position(s) Winger
Youth career
Benicalap
Levante
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2000 Levante 60 (9)
2000–2011 Valencia 243 (36)
2011–2013 Brighton & Hove Albion 29 (5)
Total 332 (50)
International career
1997–1998 Spain U16 11 (1)
1998–1999 Spain U17 15 (6)
1999–2000 Spain U18 7 (1)
2000–2001 Spain U21 11 (1)
2001–2005 Spain 38 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

A left winger with outstanding technique, pace and scoring ability, his professional career, blighted by constant injuries,[3][4][5][6][7][8] was mainly associated with Valencia with whom he appeared in 340 competitive matches over 11 seasons, winning five major titles including two La Liga championships.

Vicente represented Spain in the first half of the 2000s, and played at Euro 2004.

Club career

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Levante

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A Valencia CF supporter since childhood, Valencia-born Vicente started his professional career in the community with Segunda División side Levante UD, making his professional debut on 23 November 1997 against CD Leganés aged only 16.[9]

He immediately attracted attention of leading teams like Arsenal, Valencia CF and Real Madrid[9] but, eventually, Valencia (and its sporting director Javier Subirats) convinced the youngster to sign for the club.[10]

Valencia

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Vicente joined Valencia in the summer of 2000. Initially, his favoured position of left winger was occupied by Argentine Kily González[11] but, despite serious contention for a first-team place, he still managed to net five goals in 33 La Liga matches, adding 13 appearances in that season's UEFA Champions League although he was left on the bench for the final against FC Bayern Munich.[12]

The arrival of Rafael Benítez as coach in 2001–02 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. While appearing in fewer games (31) he was already first-choice, and produced similar numbers the following campaign, netting his only goal in a 3–0 home win over Recreativo de Huelva.[13]

2003–04 was Vicente's finest season as his energetic efforts propelled the Che to their second league title under Benítez,[14] adding two goals in seven matches in the team's victorious run in the UEFA Cup, including one in the final where he also assisted Mista in the second (the pair combined for 30 league goals, 12 from Vicente, a career-best,[11] with Francisco Rufete pitching in from the right flank).[15]

After a productive year, Vicente was linked with a host of important teams, but turned down any eventual move and agreed to a further four-year extension, stating: "I'm happy to remain at Valencia because I was born here and it's my home."[16] In the 2004–05 season, however, under the management of Claudio Ranieri, his forays down the wing appeared stagnated as the coach opted to favour fellow Italian Emiliano Moretti to provide support for him rather than to let him have a free role along the left; furthermore, ankle injuries hindered his campaign.[17] As he returned, the manager had already been sacked, Valencia ranked seventh and he only made 12 league appearances.[18][5] In the following year more of the same, as the side finished 11 points behind eventual champions FC Barcelona and he was again bothered by an ankle condition.[19]

"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".

– Claudio Ranieri, former Valencia manager.

Vicente was again often injured in 2006–07, most notably in the first leg of a Champions League quarter-final clash with Chelsea which ended his campaign.[20][21] The English won that tie 3–2 on aggregate while the player only took part in 16 league matches, with his team ending fourth.

Vicente made an impressive comeback, opening the 3–0 victory against IF Elfsborg in the Champions League third qualifying round at the Mestalla Stadium.[22] However, another injury occurred shortly after, this time during training, and he would end up spending another large spell in the sidelines.

Disappointed, the player publicly blamed the medical staff for his continuing injuries:

"My morale is very low. I've lost all confidence in the medical staff, that's it. I've been defending them for the last two years, but I don't see any of this 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".[23]

"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 the person who loses the most is me, because I can neither play football nor 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 these statements, citing: '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'.[24] The "injury saga" came to an end when the player was fined €1,200 following controversial remarks made regarding the club's medical staff.

In 2008–09, although playing fewer minutes, Vicente was able to contribute more regularly, while competing for first-choice status with young Juan Mata. He came from the bench in the season opener, a 3–0 home defeat of RCD Mallorca,[25] and, majorly used as a substitute (usually for Mata) during the season, still contributed six league goals.[26]

Vicente's fitness problems persisted in the following campaign, as he only made his first appearance on 6 January 2010, replacing Mata for the final 15 minutes of the 1–2 home loss against Deportivo de La Coruña in the first leg of the Copa del Rey's round-of-16.[27] Aged 29, he was released after a link that lasted 11 years.[11]

Brighton & Hove Albion

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On 2 September 2011, Vicente signed a one-year deal with Football League Championship side Brighton & Hove Albion.[28] He made his official debut on the 21st, in a 1–2 home loss against Liverpool for the season's Football League Cup, winning a penalty which resulted in the Ashley Barnes goal.[29]

Vicente scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 away defeat to Ipswich Town on 1 October 2011.[30] However, he was afflicted by injury soon after, and was out for over three months; he returned on 4 February 2012 to provide the assist for Will Buckley in the 1–0 victory over Leicester City.[31] The following weekend, also from the bench, he set up two goals in a 2–1 win against Leeds United at Elland Road.[32]

On 10 March 2012, Brighton beat Portsmouth 2–0 at home, with Vicente scoring a brace – including one from a low free kick – lifting his team into the play-off places and stretching their unbeaten run to 12 games.[33] In May 2013, after only 13 appearances during the season, he was released alongside Gary Dicker and Marcos Painter;[34] following his departure he described his former boss, Gus Poyet, as "the worst person I've come across in football", "selfish" and "egocentric".[35]

On 17 April 2014, Vicente announced his retirement from football.[36] He returned to work with Valencia as a member of the technical staff from 2016 to 2018, before coming back once again to take on ambassadorial duties with the club in January 2023.[37][38]

International career

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Vicente made his debut for Spain in a friendly against France on 28 March 2001, replacing Pedro Munitis in the 72nd minute of a 2–1 win at the Mestalla.[39] He was overlooked for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.

Vicente appeared in his first major tournament at the UEFA Euro 2004 in Portugal,[40] playing three complete group-stage matches.[41][42] Constant injuries would mean he would also fail to make the final cut for the 2006 World Cup, Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup.

Career statistics

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Club

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Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[43][44][45]
Club Season League Cup Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Levante 1997–98 Segunda División 3 1 0 0 — 3 1
1998–99 Segunda División B 21 2 3 0 — 24 2
1999–00 Segunda División 36 7 1 0 — 36 7
Total 60 9 4 0 — 64 9
Valencia 2000–01 La Liga 33 5 2 1 14 0 48 6
2001–02 La Liga 31 2 1 0 8 1 39 3
2002–03 La Liga 28 1 2 0 11 0 39 1
2003–04 La Liga 33 12 4 1 7 2 42 14
2004–05 La Liga 12 3 1 1 4 2 15 5
2005–06 La Liga 21 3 1 0 5 0 22 3
2006–07 La Liga 16 4 0 0 5 0 21 4
2007–08 La Liga 17 0 6 1 4 1 25 2
2008–09 La Liga 27 6 8 4 5 0 38 10
2009–10 La Liga 11 0 2 0 2 0 13 0
2010–11 La Liga 14 1 3 2 2 0 17 3
Total 243 36 30 10 67 6 340 52
Brighton & Hove Albion 2011–12 Championship 17 3 2 0 0 0 19 3
2012–13 Championship 12 2 1 0 0 0 13 2
Total 29 5 3 0 0 0 32 5
Career total 332 50 37 10 67 6 436 66

International

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Appearances and goals by national team and year[46]
National team Year Apps Goals
Spain 2001 3 0
2002 7 0
2003 10 1
2004 9 1
2005 9 1
Total 38 3
Scores and results list Spain's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Vicente goal.[46]
List of international goals scored by Vicente
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 19 November 2003 Ullevaal, Oslo, Norway   Norway 2–0 3–0 Euro 2004 qualifying
2 8 September 2004 Bilino Polje, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina   Bosnia and Herzegovina 1–0 1–1 2006 World Cup qualification
3 17 August 2005 El Molinón, Gijón, Spain   Uruguay 2–0 2–0 Friendly

Honours

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Valencia

Individual

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "VICENTE Rodríguez Guillén" (in Spanish). El Mundo. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  2. ^ Picó, Diego (20 January 2016). "Vicente Rodríguez vuelve al Valencia" [Vicente Rodríguez returns to Valencia] (in Spanish). Marca. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  3. ^ Vicente faces threat of surgery; UEFA, 19 November 2004
  4. ^ Vicente missing until March; UEFA, 3 January 2005
  5. ^ a b Vicente targets quick comeback; UEFA, 16 January 2006
  6. ^ Hamstring woe for Valencia's Vicente; UEFA, 4 April 2007
  7. ^ Unlucky Vicente sidelined again; UEFA, 6 April 2007
  8. ^ Vicente out for another month; UEFA, 7 September 2007
  9. ^ a b Jiménez, Mayca (28 March 2018). "¿Qué fue de Vicente?: el puñal de Benicalap que brilló en Mestalla" [What happened to Vicente?: the dagger from Benicalap who shone in Mestalla] (in Spanish). Diario AS. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  10. ^ Ros, Cayetano (12 June 2016). "Javier Subirats: "El ego de ser director deportivo lo tengo cubierto"" [Javier Subirats: "My ego is satisfied in the sporting director department"] (in Spanish). Levante-EMV. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  11. ^ a b c Gil, Alfonso (14 May 2011). "Vicente, adiós a 11 años en Mestalla" [Vicente, farewell to 11 years in Mestalla] (in Spanish). El Mundo. Retrieved 22 November 2013.
  12. ^ "Bayern crowned European champions". BBC Sport. 23 May 2001. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  13. ^ Pérez Ortiz, Juan (15 September 2002). "El Valencia gana con facilidad a un Recreativo muy plano" [Valencia defeat see-through Recreativo easily] (in Spanish). El País. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  14. ^ "El Valencia, campeón de Liga" [Valencia, League champions] (in Spanish). UEFA. 10 May 2004. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  15. ^ "Valencia 2–0 Marseille". BBC Sport. 19 May 2004. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  16. ^ Vicente extends Valencia deal; UEFA, 20 August 2004
  17. ^ "El Valencia sufre la dependencia de Vicente" [Valencia ache as Vicentedependant] (in Spanish). El País. 21 October 2004. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  18. ^ Ros, Cayetano (26 February 2005). "El Valencia se deshace de Ranieri" [Valencia get rid of Ranieri] (in Spanish). El País. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  19. ^ "Vicente sufre una distensión en su tobillo izquierdo" [Vicente distends his left ankle] (in Spanish). Diario AS. 28 July 2005. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  20. ^ "Vicente injury clouds Valencia's Champions League draw at Chelsea". Pravda.ru. 5 April 2007. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  21. ^ García, Miguel Ángel (30 October 2007). "Vicente, el mejor 'fichaje' del Valencia" [Vicente, Valencia's best 'signing'] (in Spanish). Marca. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  22. ^ Rodríguez, Tito (14 August 2007). "Cómoda goleada 'ché'" [Easy 'ché' rout] (in Spanish). UEFA. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  23. ^ Vicente, frustrado y sincero: "He perdido toda la confianza en el equipo médico del club" (Vicente, frustrated and frank: "I have lost all confidence in the club's medical staff); Diarios de Fútbol, 5 September 2007 (in Spanish)
  24. ^ Expedientan a Vicente por sus críticas a los médicos (Vicente disciplined for criticising medical staff); Marca, 5 September 2007 (in Spanish)
  25. ^ Valencia 3–0 Mallorca; ESPN Soccernet, 30 August 2008
  26. ^ Tronchoni, Nadia (9 March 2009). "El Valencia roza el ridículo" [Valencia border on the ridiculous] (in Spanish). El País. Retrieved 19 June 2018.
  27. ^ Ros, Cayetano (7 January 2010). "El Depor conquista Mestalla" [Depor conquer Mestalla] (in Spanish). El País. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  28. ^ Brighton complete signing of ex-Valencia winger Vicente; BBC Sport, 2 September 2011
  29. ^ Brighton 1–2 Liverpool; BBC Sport, 21 September 2011
  30. ^ "Ipswich 3–1 Brighton". BBC Sport. 1 October 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
  31. ^ Naylor, Andy (10 February 2012). "Vicente in frame for starting role". The Argus. Retrieved 9 November 2022.
  32. ^ Leeds 1–2 Brighton; BBC Sport, 11 February 2012
  33. ^ Brighton 2–0 Portsmouth; BBC Sport, 10 March 2012
  34. ^ "Brighton release Gary Dicker, Marcos Painter & Vicente". BBC Sport. 16 May 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2013.
  35. ^ Owen, Brian; Naylor, Andy (18 May 2013). "Vicente blasts Poyet". The Argus. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  36. ^ "Vicente Rodriguez today announced his retirement from football. One of the greatest players to have ever worn the Albion shirt". Twitter. 17 April 2014. Retrieved 23 July 2014.
  37. ^ "Vicente Rodríguez returns to VCF as member of technical staff". Valencia CF. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
  38. ^ "Vicente Rodríguez returns home as institutional ambassador for Valencia CF". Valencia CF. 6 January 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  39. ^ Segurola, Santiago (29 March 2001). "España gana 2–1 a la selección francesa, actual campeona del mundo" [Spain win 2–1 to France national team, current World champions] (in Spanish). El País. Retrieved 22 January 2016.
  40. ^ Modia, Iván (20 May 2004). "Sáez selects Spain squad". UEFA. Retrieved 7 May 2016.
  41. ^ Spiro, Matthew (17 June 2004). "Greece profit as Charisteas stops Spain surge". UEFA. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  42. ^ Farrelly, David (20 June 2004). "Portugal leave Spain in shade to light up Lisbon". UEFA. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  43. ^ Vicente at BDFutbol
  44. ^ "Vicente". Soccerway. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  45. ^ "Vicente". Footballdatabase. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  46. ^ a b "Vicente Rodríguez". European Football. Retrieved 23 March 2017.
  47. ^ Pla Díaz, Emilio. "Spain – Footballer of the Year". RSSSF. Retrieved 8 June 2020.
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