2. Ariel Ortega: ’91 – ‘96, ’00 – ’02, ’06 – ’12: 272 apps 65 gls
– El Burrito – the little donkey
Not to be outdone, this River Plate Number 10 also spent three playing periods at the club. Starting in 1991, he was still technically on their books (albeit away on-loan) until 2012.
This temperamental fantasista was famed for his close dribbling skills and clever body swerves, using them to scurry past his opponents. Due to his Pibe like appearance and playing style he was one of the first players, post-Maradona, to be tagged as the ‘new Maradona’, and one can’t help but think it was a burden that weighed heavy on his troubled shoulders.
Debuting in 1991, he was part of the all-conquering River side that won the 1996 Copa Libertadores and won three other titles during his first period. He moved to Spain later that year, before ending up in Italy. An unsuccessful spell in the Peninsula culminated in him being made a make-weight as part of the deal that saw Hernan Crespo leave River Plate for Parma – with Ortega making the return trip. He won the 2002 Clausura before leaving again, this time for Turkey.
He returned to River in 2006 (after serving a worldwide ban and paying a massive fine for not fulfilling his contract in Turkey) but was not the same player. Ortega has been treated for alcoholism, and has been the subject of various rumours and alleged scandals. Due to personal issues, River loaned him out on a number of occasions during his final stint at the club.
