Valencia CF11 February 2019

Roncaglia's unlikely hero

The Valencia CF defender had a childhood idol from his homeland of Argentina

Facundo Roncaglia is best known for his defensive qualities, and the Argentinian defender demonstrated those in his debut for Valencia CF against Real Sociedad last Sunday. However, the versatile player, who turned 32 on the day of his maiden appearance for the club, had a first footballing hero who featured a little higher up the field.

When he was a child, playing for Club Atlético Ferrocarril inChajarí (Entre Ríos, Argentina) he had great admiration for Gabriel Batistuta. Roncaglia started out as a number 9, before being dropped back into the defence at Boca Juniors.

Roncaglia would also follow in 'Batigol's footsteps, playing at Fiorentina in Italy. It was there that Batistuta rose to fame, scoring 207 goals in 332 appearances. 

Now he is part of a great tradition of Argentinian defenders at Valencia CF, which includes the likes of Roberto Ayala, Mauricio Pellegrino, Nicolas Otamendi and current teammate Ezequiel Garay.

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