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Name: Vicente Rodríguez Guillén
Birth Date: 16 July 1981
Birth Place: Valencia, Valencia, Valencian Community, Spain
Nationality: Spanish
Height: 1.75 m (5'9'')
Weight: 72 kg (159 lbs)
Position: Left Winger
Number: 14
Contract Expires: 30 June 2011
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Levante UD
A Valencia CF supporter since childhood, Vicente started his professional career in the community, with second division side Levante UD, making his professional debut on 23 November 1997 against CD Leganés, only 16. He immediately attracted attention of leading teams like Arsenal, Valencia and Real Madrid and, but eventually, Valencia (and its sporting director Javier Subirats) convinced the youngster to sign for the club.
Valencia CF
After two seasons at Levante, Vicente signed on for Valencia in the summer of 2000. Initially, his favoured position of left winger was occupied by Argentine Kily González but, despite serious contention for a first team place, he still managed to net five goals in 33 first division games, adding 13 appearances in the UEFA Champions League, although he was left on the bench for the final against Bayern Munich.
The arrival of Rafael Benítez as coach in 2001/2002 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 less games (31, with one goal), he was already first-choice, and produced similar numbers in the following campaign, netting his only goal of the season in a 3–0 home win over Recreativo de Huelva.
The 2003/2004 season was Vicente's finest season with the club as his energetic efforts propelled the Che to their second league title under Benítez, adding two goals in seven outings in the club's UEFA Cup successful run, including one in the final, as he also assisted striker Mista in the second (the pair combined for 30 league goals, 12 from Vicente, a career-best, with Francisco Rufete pitching in from the right flank).
After an amazing year, Vicente was linked with a host of important clubs, but turned down any eventual move and signed a further four-year extension, stating: "I'm happy to remain at Valencia because I was born here and it's my home."
In 2004/2005 season, however, under the management of Claudio Ranieri, his forays down the wing appeared stagnated as Ranieri 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 season and he spent much of the beginning of the season recuperating. As Vicente returned, Ranieri had already been sacked, Valencia finished seventh and he only appeared in 12 league matches 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. In the following season, more of the same, as the club finished 11 points behind eventual champions FC Barcelona and he was again bothered by an ankle condition.
Vicente was often injured, yet again, in 2006/2007, most notably in the first leg of a UEFA Champions League quarterfinal clash with Chelsea, which ended his season. As Chelsea eventually won 3–2 on aggregate, the player only added 16 league matches, with Valencia ending fourth.
He made an impressive comeback, scoring the first goal in Valencia's 3–0 win against IF Elfsborg, in the Champions League third qualifying round, at the Mestalla.
However, another injury occurred, this time during training, and Vicente would end up spending another large spell in the sidelines, being limited to just 17 league games.
Disappointed, the player publicly blamed the medical staff for his continuing injuries:
"I’m very low animically. 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. 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'. The "injury saga" came to an end when the player was fined ¤1,200 following his controversial remarks made regarding the club's medical staff.
In 2008/2009, although playing less minutes, Vicente was able to contribute more regularly, while competing for first-choice status with young Juan Manuel Mata. He came from the bench in the season opener, a 3–0 home win over RCD Mallorca. Majorly used as a replacement (usually for Mata) during the campaign, he still contributed with six league goals.
Vicente had a decent season in 2009/2010. He spent much of the first half of the season injured, but when he eventually did return, he played very well for the club, allowing Unai Emery to give the team a different look offensively.
International Career
Vicente made his debut for Spain 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.
Subsequently, he appeared in his first major tournament at the 2004 UEFA European Football Championship in Portugal, appearing in three complete group stage outings, although the Furia Roja's insipid performances eventually meant an early exit. Constant injuries would mean Vicente would also fail to make the final cut for both the 2006 FIFA World Cup and Euro 2008.
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