Ortega, Ariel Arnaldo

River Plate & Argentina

Birthdate: March 4, 1974
Birthplace: Jujuy, Argentina
Height: 171 cms
Weight: 65 kgs
Position: Midfielder
Games & Goals with National Team: 67 caps, 16 goals (as of June 6, 2000)
Debut in Argentine Championship: December 14, 1991 vs Platense

A brilliant dribbler and the most talented player in the Argentine side. Ortega cannot really be termed a midfielder - the Argentine's playmaking talents preclude such a tag. He is happiest playing in the hole behind the strikers although he can comfortably play more of a holding role in midfield or as a forward. Long considered heir apparent to Diego Maradona, Ortega has often been handed a free role in the Argentine midfield and with it Maradona's old number 10 shirt. He scored a superb goal against Ireland in an April 1998 friendly that said everything about his balance, deft touch and eye for goal. Played extraordinarily in all Argentina's France 1998 World Cup games, but was ejected vs. Holland after hitting Edwin van der Sar on the head. Transferred from relegated Sampdoria to AC Parma for $12 Millions of Dollars.

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