Roberto Ayala
Roberto Fabián Ayala ([roˈβeɾto faˈβjan aˈʝala]; born 14 April 1973), nicknamed El Ratón ("The Mouse"), is an Argentine former footballer who played as a centre back for the Argentina national football team, as well as Valencia and Real Zaragoza in Spain, Milan and Napoli in Italy, and Ferro Carril, River Plate and Racing Club in his native Argentina.
|
Ayala in 2018 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Roberto Fabián Ayala | ||
| Date of birth | 14 April 1973 | ||
| Place of birth | Paraná, Argentina | ||
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Centre-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Argentina (field assistant) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Ferro Carril Oeste | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1991–1993 | Ferro Carril Oeste | 73 | (1) |
| 1993–1995 | River Plate | 41 | (0) |
| 1995–1998 | Napoli | 87 | (1) |
| 1998–2000 | Milan | 24 | (0) |
| 2000–2007 | Valencia | 187 | (9) |
| 2007–2010 | Real Zaragoza | 74 | (4) |
| 2010–2011 | Racing Club | 15 | (0) |
| Total | 501 | (15) | |
| International career | |||
| 1996 | Argentina U23 | 6 | (0) |
| 2004 | Argentina Olympic (O.P.) | 6 | (0) |
| 1994–2007 | Argentina | 116 | (7) |
Medal record | |||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Regarded as one of the best central defenders of his generation, he stood out for his leadership and ability in the air throughout his career in spite of his small stature as a centre back. Ayala captained Argentina in a record 63 matches. He played in three FIFA World Cups and made a total of 115 international appearances, behind only Javier Mascherano, Javier Zanetti and Lionel Messi in terms of international appearances.