The Heroes of the Fan League

Twenty years ago, in 2002, Valencia lifted its sixth league title after a season to remember. The Fan League. Radio Valencia Cadena SER and Diario AS gather in La Petxina a wide representation of the squad that was proclaimed champion of the League in 2002. These were the protagonists:

1. Canizares

Captain, team leader, Zamora de la Liga and undisputed starter in the Spanish National Team. At 32 years old, in his fourth season at Valencia, Cañizares was going through the sweetest years of his career. He conceded 23 goals in 32 games for his third Zamora in the competition, the second as a Valencianista. Currently he is a sports analyst at Cadena Cope and Movistar +. Also, he has his own Youtube channel.

13. Palop

Already 28 years old, Palop was still in the shadow of Cañizares waiting for his moment based on hard work despite not having the opportunities he wanted. He participated in six games and conceded only four goals. He currently works as a coach and is without a team after trying himself on the benches of UD Ibiza and Alcoyano.

23. Curro Torres

He took over the right lane after returning from his loan at Tenerife, directed by Rafa Benítez. He was branded as one of the revelations of the season and his high level took him to the World Cup in South Korea and Japan. An old-fashioned winger, who prioritized closing his wing. Another of Benítez’s pupils who made the leap to the benches. Today he is the coach of Cultural Leonesa, of the First RFEF.

20. Angloma

Despite the fact that his physical form did not show the passing of the years, the truth is that at 36 years old, Benítez cut the wings of the side of Guadalupe, who the previous year had played more than 2,000 minutes with Héctor Cúper. It was his last season at Valencia. He is currently the coach of Guadeloupe.

4. Ayala

He was the leader of the defense with the fewest goals scored during the season in the League. The Argentine was the common denominator in the rotations in the rearguard, assiduously forming a couple with Pellegrino. At 28 years old he was one of the best in the world in his position. His goal in Malaga certified the league title for Valencia. Currently he is a member of the AFA.

2. Pellegrino

The ‘Flaco’ lived his best years in Valencia and lived in 2001-02 his most complete season as a black and white, establishing himself in the eleven alongside Ayala despite competition from the veteran Djukic and the young Marchena. His size and experience gave the team a lot, despite the fact that he did not quite convey confidence to some fans.

5. Djukic

At the age of 35, he lived his last throes at Valencia, where he had been a fixture since his arrival in 1997. The Serbian understood his role and was essential, contributing from the bench in Benítez’s famous rotations, providing experience and class. A guarantee. Today he is without a team after a long career as a coach. His last career was at Sporting de Gijón in 2019-20.

12. Marchena

The Sevillian debuted in Valencia with the League title after being repatriated from Benfica. Benítez knew how to give him space to be able to demonstrate his quality and not cut off his progression, despite the fact that the competition in the center of defense was fierce and he started as the last on the list.

15. Coal

It was his fifth season at Valencia and at the age of 36 he still had the rope for a while. He was still a rock on defense, despite the fact that he was turning less and less to the inside left. However, with Vicente or Kily, the problems were different. To attack, the ace in the hole was next on the list. He currently resides in Barcelona and acts as an intermediary for various clubs and companies.

3. Fábio Aurélio

It was the antithesis of what Carboni offered. A fine Brazilian winger, with excellent hitting, with an offensive spirit and gaps in defense. A different player who, at 22, grew up following the figure of the Italian. He left a goal in Malaga for history, his only goal of the season. Today he acts as a scout.

6. Albelda

‘Stopper’ by definition and de facto partner of the most recognizable midfield in the history of Valencia, along with Rubén Baraja. With Benítez he lived the confirmation of him at 24 years old, exercising the dark tasks in the midfield of the league champion. Currently, after trying out as a coach at Azteneta, he works as a sports analyst at Cadena Cope.

8. Deck

He was the engine of the team despite the fact that injuries weighed him down for a good part of the season. He alone was able to complete 17 games, but scored seven goals. In fact, he was the team’s top scorer. When he returned from his injury, he was the real catalyst for the title, scoring decisive goals. Another member of the litter that was thrown to the benches. He is currently without a team after finishing his brief spell at Real Zaragoza in 2020.

22. Saints

He arrived as one of the most expensive signings in history from Malaga, but he did not meet the expectations generated by his incorporation. Albelda’s appearance left him with little margin, but despite this he was an important rotation player. He did not finish connecting with the stands and his continuous trips with Uruguay reduced his weight in the team. Currently he is without a team, after trying himself on the bench and in sports management.

21. Pablo Aymar

The magic of Valencia League champion. His explosion in the second round of the championship coincided with the best black and white game, being the reference in attack, despite scoring only four goals. The different player, with his mythical ’21’ on his back. He floated above the green. He currently works as coach of the Argentine U-17 and is part of Lionel Scaloni’s coaching staff in the senior team.

19. Laundry

His brace against Espanyol changed the history of Valencia. He was a fixture on the right wing, appearing in 33 games and scoring five goals. His offensive contribution was key, with the goals widely distributed throughout the team. What’s more, he was one of the most successful players in front of goal of the season. Today he is the sports director of Espanyol.

10. Angulo

His versatility made him a coveted piece for Rafa Benítez, both on the right and on the wing. Despite this, he did not stand out especially in his position, despite the fact that his attitude was always irreproachable. He scored four goals, making himself known offensively in the final stretch of the season. The player with the most titles in the history of Valencia is today the coach of Valencia Mestalla, with whom he has certified promotion to the Second RFEF.

14. Vicente

At the time, and only 20 years old, he was one of the most coveted wingers on the market. Despite his youth, he was already beginning to win the game against Kily González, despite the fact that said struggle somehow cut off his projection. He energized the team’s football from the left wing, bringing together all the qualities of a good winger. Today he acts as a scout after trying his luck in sports management.

18. Kily González

The fury of Valencia infected the team with its winning character. However, he was a player whose performance dropped a lot when he played away from Mestalla. He was the 12th player on that team, the player beyond eleven in the aggregate who accumulated the most minutes. Currently, he was dismissed last March as coach of Rosario Central, a team where he hung up his boots in 2011.

11. Adrian Illie

It was a shadow of his best years in Valencia. Nicknamed the ‘Cobra’, he had indisputable quality, despite not showing it that season, but injuries, lack of work and professionalism ended up leaving him as practically an anecdote in Benítez’s plans. Despite this, he scored two goals in his last season as a black and white. He currently owns a hotel in his homeland, Romania.

7. Carew

The Norwegian giant lost ownership due to his lack of aim, being more important the year of the League title in European competitions. It should be remembered that he was only 22 years old at the time, after signing a great first year as a black and white at the hands of Héctor Cúper. He only played 15 games, with six starts and scored one goal. He is currently an actor, producer and photographer.

17. Juan Sanchez

He lost prominence after signing his second best season in terms of goals as a Valencian player, forming a couple with Carew in the Cúper stage. With Rafa Benítez he was a real shock in the League title, participating in 25 games, with only 12 starts and four goals to his credit. He currently works as a soccer player agent at Interstardeporte.

24. Mista

He arrived along with Rafa Benítez and Curro Torres from Tenerife and little by little he opened a hole in the team based on goals. Although his explosion would come a few years later, he contributed a lot from the bench in his first year at the Mestalla team. He is also currently a coach and ended his career in Canada last December, directing Atlético Ottawa of the Canadian Premier League.

9. Crossbow Save

He scored goals when he enjoyed continuity, but the truth is that he was the striker with the most opportunities in the eleven. He participated in 22 games, with 19 starts and four goals. He confronted the coach and ended up losing, losing prominence in the final stretch of the course. In fact, he has not played since matchday 30. Recently, last March, he was dismissed as coach of UCAM Murcia.

Special mention

16. Serban

The Romanian midfielder was an anecdote in Valencia, but he finished his career at the club with four titles in just over 200 minutes in his four seasons at the entity. In 2001-02 he participated in three games (Celta, Villarreal and Osasuna), with only 32 minutes. Today he has an apartment rental business.

25. Rangel

If Palop had it complicated, imagine Rangel, the third goalkeeper of that team. He promoted from the Mestalla and was part of the squad for the League title. Today he works at Valencia, forming part of the first team staff.

26. Jandro

The Asturian midfielder, who already made his debut with the first team in 1998-99, left his name printed on the participants in the League title after only playing two minutes against Villarreal. He is currently coach of CD Acero.

31. David Navarro

The homegrown defender participated in two games despite fierce competition in central defense. He completed 107 minutes in his first appearances for the first team at the age of 21. He is out of work after finishing his stage in Levante’s sports management at the end of November.

34. Garrido

Valencian right-back, trained in Paterna, made his debut with the first team at the age of 22 against Celta, in the same match in which David Navarro made his debut. Years later, in the year of the double, it would be important. He is currently a soccer player agent.