Ariel Ortega

Arnaldo Ariel Ortega (Ledesma, March 4, 1974), nicknamed El Burrito, is an Argentine former soccer player, who worked as a forward and forward. Historic River Plate player, he is recognized as one of the most unbalanced forwards in the history of Argentine soccer. He stood out for his great technical quality and facility for dribbling, with a very particular style based on sudden hooks and changes of pace when it comes to eluding, as well as his facility to define Vaseline.

He made his debut at River in 1991 at the age of 17, under the technical direction of Daniel Pasarella. It would quickly establish itself as one of the most important appearances in Argentine soccer, and would go on to consolidate within Ramón Díaz's team that would dominate Argentine soccer during the 90s, winning numerous championships: the 1991, 1993, 1994, and 1996 Aperturas, and the Copa Libertadores of 1996. In 1997 he would move to European football, having short spells in Valencia, Sampdoria and Parma, until his return to River in 2000; With more experience, Ortega would become one of the football leaders of the Núñez team, along with an emerging generation of youth stars such as Saviola, Pablo Aimar, D'Alessandro and Fernando Cavenaghi, among others. Once again technically directed by Ramón Díaz, he would once again have a brilliant level, winning a new local tournament, the Clausura 2002. After a short period at Fenerbahçe, he would fall back to Newell's Old Boys, where he would obtain the Apertura 2004 with a excellent performance, causing his return to River in 2006. In Cholo Simeone's team, they would win the Clausura 2008, but he would end up leaving the club in 2010 after the club plunged into an economic and structural crisis, added to his personal problems of indiscipline and non-attendance to training. This would cause him to be loaned to All Boys and Defensores de Belgrano, from the Primera B Nacional, and finally making his retirement official on November 8, 2012.

He had an important stage as a regular player for the Argentine soccer team, with which he played 88 games and scored 17 goals, played in three World Cups and was runner-up in the 1995 Confederations Cup. At the Olympic level, he won the Gold Medal in the 1995 Pan American Games, the Silver Medal in the 1996 Olympic Games and the 1996 Pre-Olympic Tournament.

Sports career

River Plate (1991-1996)

Discovery and arrival at the club

Ortega made his amateur debut at the club of his hometown, at the age of 14. Atlético Ledesma was playing at that time in the old Torneo del Interior, a Third Division competition for clubs indirectly affiliated with the AFA. He is remembered for scoring a goal on the hour against Sportivo Alberdi, Atlético's classic rival.

At the beginning of 1991, Roberto Gonzalo (technical director of the first team) saw his great potential, and offered to try him out in the minor divisions of Independiente and Boca Juniors, clubs with which he maintained "contacts". Ortega agrees to travel to Buenos Aires, with the sole condition of playing for River Plate, the "club of his love". After being selected in that club, his great performances meant that he only took 10 months to make his debut with the first team.

Debut and first seasons

He made his River debut on December 14, 1991 against Platense by Daniel Passarella, establishing himself as one of River's most decisive players, who dominated Argentine soccer in the 1990s. His first title at River Plate was He got it that same year, and it was the 1991 Opening Tournament.

On July 5, 1992, he scored his first goal in the First Division against Quilmes in his team's 3-1 victory. Ariel Ortega began to become the undisputed starter in the River Plate squad based on great performances that showed the great future he had, and the talent that would later lead him to be one of the best players in the world. The following year he won his second title in River Plate: the 1993 Apertura Tournament.

Golden era in Ramón's team

On the afternoon of Saturday, April 30, 1994, he wrote one of the most glorious pages in the history of River, when with a perfect performance, which included a goal, he was the hero of the victory against Boca Juniors at La Bombonera by 2 to 0. Eight years had passed since the last millionaire victory on Boquense land and, in addition, there was an adverse streak of results that offended and caused discomfort. His performance was so good that he was called up to the Argentine team that would play the World Cup in the United States that same year, in which he was the one who replaced the suspended Diego Armando Maradona in the match against Romania, at the age of 20. In that year he would win the 1994 Opening Tournament with River.

Ortega had already become the best player in Argentina when River Plate began to be led by Ramón Díaz in 1995 and one of the best teams in the history of Argentine soccer was formed, with Ortega forming an attacking trio with players extraordinary like Enzo Francescoli and Hernán Crespo. It was then that Ortega began to wear the historic number 10 River Plate jacket. They won the Copa Libertadores de América in 1996, victorious in the final against América de Cali, and became runner-up in the 1996 Intercontinental Cup, after losing to Juventus FC, who would later be suspected of taking performance-enhancing drugs. That same year he also became champion of the 1996 Apertura Tournament.

On the sixteenth date of said tournament, against Ferrocarril Oeste, he scored one of the best goals of his career, starting the play from midfield with the ball at his foot, dribbling several rival players, and hitting him the left-footed ball to the opposing goalkeeper. On February 28, 1997, he said goodbye to River by beating Unión de Santa Fe for the 1997 Clausura Tournament, and then emigrated to Europe.

Ortega closed his brilliant first stage in River with 6 titles won: the 1991 Apertura Tournament, the 1993 Apertura Tournament, the 1994 Apertura Tournament, the 1996 Apertura Tournament, the 1997 Closing Tournament and the 1996 Copa Libertadores. Individually, he concluded his first cycle scoring 38 goals in 185 games played, of which there were 30 in 134 in First Division games and 5 in 44 games in international tournaments. Also, during the AFA Centennial Cup he scored 3 goals in 7 games.

Stage in Europe (1997-2000)

Valencia CF

Ortega was transferred to Valencia CF for a very important millionaire figure for the time in which it was given. In the Spanish club he converted one of the best goals of that season against FC Barcelona in the very Camp Nou. However, he never managed to establish himself as the undisputed starter in the Spanish team, since his relationship with coach Claudio Ranieri was not the best, after he lost confidence in the player due to his mismanagement off the field. of game. Because of this, the Spanish leaders transferred him to UC Sampdoria in Italy, despite the fact that when he had to play he did so at a good level.

Ariel Arnaldo Ortega closed his stage as a Valencia CF player having scored 9 goals in 29 games played.

UC Sampdoria

He signed for UC Sampdoria in 1998, closing his spell in the Spanish league. The team that played in the Italian Serie A bought him for 23 million lire, which is equivalent to 8 million euros, and signed him the same contract that he earned at Valencia CF, which stated that his earnings per year would be more than 2 million and a half euros.

The Italian team was not very successful during the season, but Ortega performed well as a second striker, earning him the love of the club's fans.

With the Sampdoria jersey, he played 27 games and scored 8 goals. The most remembered is the one that converted Inter Milan, making a Vaseline over the goalkeeper in a historic 4-0 win. He is also remembered for a free kick goal that he scored against Juventus.

Parma FC

Leaving Sampdoria, Ariel Ortega became a Parma FC player, who bought him for 28 million lire, equivalent to 9.4 million euros. In this club he would convert 3 goals in 18 games. El Burrito shared the dressing room with his compatriot and also former millionaire Hernán Crespo.

Dressing the colors of this club, the Burrito won only one title, the Italian Super Cup. Despite having achieved this important title, Ortega felt it was time to return to his homeland and the team he loved.

Fulfilling his wish, in 2000 he returned to Argentina to wear the colors of River Plate.

First return to River Plate (2000-2002)

He returned to River Plate, after an operation in which Núñez's institution bought half of his pass for 5 million dollars. It was in the club of his loves that he was once again an outstanding figure, forming a powerful attacking quartet along with Juan Pablo Ángel, Javier Saviola and Pablo Aimar, who would be remembered as the "Fantastic Four &#3. 4; and with which River formed a great team.

In the 2002 Clausura he would form a great forward team along with the youth players Andrés D'Alessandro and Fernando Cavenaghi, who would later become Argentine soccer stars and tournament champions. That team is well remembered after a 3-0 victory at Boca's stadium.

His best performance in his second cycle at River was against Unión de Santa Fe at the Monumental, a match in which he scored an impressive 4 goals.

His second cycle as a River Plate player had him with 78 games played and 28 goals scored in two seasons: 56 games with 23 goals for local tournaments and 22 with 5 goals in international ones. His level at this stage led him to be the greatest figure in Argentine soccer again.

Fenerbahçe (2002-2003) and suspension

Following the championship win at River Plate, in May 2002, Fenerbahçe signed Ortega for a fee of US$7,500,000 (US$2,500,000 of which was paid to Parma). Fenerbahçe also bought his image rights for another $1,500,000. Ortega signed a 4-year contract. In the Turkish club he played 14 games and scored 5 goals.

Fenerbahçe was forced to file a complaint with FIFA in April 2003 because Ortega had not returned from international duty since February 12, 2003. In June 2003, the FIFA Dispute Resolution Committee (RDC) ordered Ortega to pay Fenerbahçe USD 11,000,000 as compensation for breach of an employment contract and suspended it until December 30, 2003. Ortega appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in July 2003, but the case it was dismissed on November 5. Ortega served a 4-month suspension from that day.

Return to Argentina (2004-2008)

Newell's Old Boys

In August 2004 Newell's Old Boys negotiated with the Turkish club and unlocked the ban imposed on him by FIFA for breaching his contract with Fenerbahçe. Ortega had not played professional soccer for several months when he accepted the proposal from Newell's, a club that offered to pay the compensation claimed by Fenerbahçe for the Jujuy player to play for the Rosario team.

His great performances with the Rosario team led him to be very loved by the Leprosy fans, since he was fundamental in winning the 2004 Apertura Tournament, in a team technically directed by Américo Gallego, one of his references in soccer. Ortega was the exclusive figure of the championship won and was the soccer leader of that remembered team of "la Leprosa" along with Fernando Belluschi.

In his first season at Newell's, Ortega played 24 games and scored 5 goals, while his second season as a player for Leprosa Rosarina concluded with 29 games played and 6 goals scored. In total, he played 53 games and scored 11 goals wearing the Newell's Old Boys jersey.

Playing for Newell's Old Boys, El Burrito scored three goals against Club Atlético River Plate, one of them with a controversial celebration making gestures that symbolized the payment of money. He also scored in a classic against Rosario Central, from a penalty to tie the game that the & # 34; Lepra & # 34; for 1-0.

Second return to River

From August 2006 he returned to play for his initial club, River Plate. His return to the courts occurred on November 5 of that year against San Lorenzo de Almagro, for the 14th date of the Apertura Tournament, with a good performance by the River Plate team at the Monumental de Núñez. The "Burrito" He entered for Fernando Belluschi, with whom he shared a team at Newell's, 22 minutes into the second half. In that game he scored a great goal, chipping the ball over the rival goalkeeper Sebastián Saja, and thus again winning the affection of the fans & # 34; millionaires & # 34; and demonstrating his enormous talent, despite already being 32 years old.

In January 2007, in the middle of the pre-season in Mar del Plata, and one day after playing an excellent game in which he scored a goal, he surprised everyone with another relapse, after which the doctors at River suggested to the coach that Ortega should return to Buenos Aires to continue treatment for his alcoholism problem.

Trainer Daniel Passarella later brought de Ortega back, stating that he was ready to return. On March 15, during the 2007 Copa Libertadores playing against Liga de Quito, Ortega was part of River's bench, but was not given the chance to play. However, three days later, in a match for the local championship against Club Atlético Quilmes, he came on in the second half for Rubens Sambueza to help break through the opposing team's defense in a match that resulted in a tight 0-0. 0 up to that point. Ortega scored a controversial goal with his hand, in the 93rd minute, to give River the victory against a Quilmes who was in the fight against relegation.

Ortega had an outstanding second half of 2007. For the 2007 Copa Sudamericana, River had lost 1-0 in the first leg for the Round of 16 against Botafogo, but then at the Monumental they won 4-2 in an unforgettable match, with a goal from Radamel Falcao at the last moment, thanks to a masterful cross from Ariel Ortega. On October 7, his participation in the victory against Boca Juniors was worthy of his best times and & # 34; he danced & # 34; to all the rival markers, who could not take the ball from him. A play close to the lime line on the right wing is well remembered in that game, in which Ortega hits Gabriel Paletta with a pipe, and then passes with his foot and heel. That day River won 2-0 and the Burrito was the author of one of the goals (a penalty) and the figure of the match. Once again he made people ask him to join the Argentine Soccer Team, but after that match Ortega would be injured in the semifinal of the Copa Sudamericana against Arsenal de Sarandí and would no longer play for the rest of the year.

River's campaign was very irregular and ended the year without titles. Daniel Passarella left the position of coach and in his place a former teammate of the & # 34; Burrito & # 34; in the Argentine national team: Diego Pablo Simeone. The new coach said he had Ortega in his plans to face all the competitions that River had in 2008 and gave him the captain's ribbon, and made him the emblem of the millionaire team.

His first goal of the year was scored from a penalty on February 2 in a friendly in the city of Mendoza against the classic rival Boca Juniors for the Summer Rematch Cup. The final result was 3-2 in favor of River Plate; Consequently, the club won the Cup at stake and Ortega lifted the trophy. Days ago, on January 30, Ortega had also lifted the Cup corresponding to the Pentagonal de Grandes, in the city of Mar del Plata.

In the first semester of 2008, Ortega showed moments of great category and an extraordinary level in the decisive instances, which allowed River Plate to achieve the Clausura that year, with him and Diego Buonanotte as top figures. El Burrito, in the last game against Olimpo de Bahía Blanca, made an exquisite assist to the "dwarf" Buonanotte, who allowed him to score the goal that gave the championship to River Plate, a club that reached 33 Argentine leagues obtained in its entire history, further stretching the difference in titles with its eternal pursuer Boca Juniors.

After being champion, he was loaned to Independiente Rivadavia due to personal problems that prevented him from leading a fully professional life. Ortega closed his third stage at Club Atlético River Plate with 56 games played and 10 goals scored: 44 games and 8 goals for local tournaments and 12 games with 2 goals for international ones. In the Mendoza club he was assigned the number 10 number, and he closed his semester as a player in the team playing 25 games and scoring 4 goals. After 6 months expressing his intention to return, Ariel finally returned to his love club, River Plate.

Last stage at River Plate, B Nacional and retirement (2009-2012)

Ortega's fourth and final stage at River was not as good as it had always been, partly due to the logical physical decline of an already veteran soccer player, and also because his behavior off the pitch brought new conflicts.

In his first game after returning to River Plate, on July 25, 2009, he scored an exceptional goal by hitting a chip to give River a 1-0 victory over England's Everton FC in Edmonton, Canada, during the pre-season.

In the 2009 Torneo Apertura, Ortega scored a goal with a lobbed shot against Chacarita Juniors, to give them a 4-3 victory in the last minute, after a pass from the youthful Mauro Díaz. This goal was a sign that his quality was intact despite his age and he earned a tremendous ovation from the River Plate people.

Later in the tournament, he scored a last-minute equalizing goal against Estudiantes de la Plata. He always provided some plays in the games that showed the quality he possessed, although his level was not the same as in other times.

In the 2010 Clausura Tournament, by decision of his coach Leonardo Astrada he missed the beginning of the tournament to return only on the 13th date. El Burrito had an extraordinary performance in the game against Vélez, where they could not stop him and assisted Paulo Ferrari with an exquisite long pass over the defense. After it, he was summoned by Diego Maradona to play a friendly against Haiti in Cutral Có with the Argentine national team. He also scored a goal against Godoy Cruz in the 2-1 victory for the River Plate team.

Already disputing the 2010 Apertura Tournament, River Plate had the obligation to have a good campaign, since the averages placed it among the last places in the relegation table and the fight to maintain the category began. Ortega's first three matches were of an extraordinary level, having great performances against Club Atlético Tigre on the first date, another great match against Arsenal, in which he assisted Rogelio Funes Mori at the last minute to seal the victory, and another very good performance against Huracán. But on the third date, against this last rival, he was sent off and when he returned his level was no longer the same. Against Godoy Cruz he made a long pass over 40 meters towards the chest of Rogelio Funes Mori, who scored a goal, which would later end up being annulled due to a supposed handball from the center forward. During this tournament, Ortega scored just one goal: a penalty against Club Atlético Banfield, in a match that ended tied 2-2, on the field of the southern team, closing a somewhat irregular participation in the championship.

Finally, Ortega was loaned to All Boys to play in the 2011 Clausura Tournament, since he had been dismissed by coach Juan José López after missing the first practice session of the pre-season, in January 2011, closing his fourth and last cycle in River, with 40 games played (two for international tournaments) and 4 goals scored, all in local tournaments.

Ortega closed his fourth and last cycle at River Plate and on January 12, 2011 he was loaned to All Boys, causing a great stir. An injury prevented him from doing the pre-season alongside his teammates and his level in the semester was not as expected, partly because of this and partly because as he is already a veteran player, his football qualities have they were noticeably declining.

He made his debut in a match against Vélez Sarsfield coming on as a substitute bench. With the Floresta team he played 12 games, scoring no goals.

Having finished his loan with All Boys, Ortega had to return to River Plate, already relegated, with the intention of collaborating with the return to First Division. But the new coach, Matías Almeyda, told him that he wanted him to be part of the coaching staff, a proposal rejected by Ortega that led to his transfer to Defensores de Belgrano.

In said club, he faced the 2011/2012 season in the Primera B Metropolitana, third category of Argentine soccer. In this club Ortega scored 4 goals and played 23 games. After the season, he said goodbye to professional football.

Farewell

River Stadium during Ortega's farewell.

On July 13, 2013 in a Monumental that was only filled with River fans to fire him. To say thank you for all the moments lived.

The "Burrito" he is one of the greatest idols in the history of River and, without a doubt, the greatest on the contemporary stage.

In an incredible party, the Burrito had its well-deserved tribute at the Monumental stadium packed and surrounded by former teammates who were part of the friendly between “Los Amigos de Ortega” and “Los Amigos de River”. The 8-2 score was just something that stood out among so many emotional moments, such as the entrance of his son Tomás (who scored a goal), the four goals scored by Burrito and the ovation of all the fans.

Superclassics

On May 3, 1992, Ariel Ortega made his debut in the well-known Superclásico of Argentine soccer, in a 2-2 draw at the Monumental. Six months later the Burrito played his first match at La Bombonera, losing 0-1. The man from Jujuy came on in the second half to replace Ramón Díaz.

Ortega's first win against Boca was on July 18, 1993 for the Centenario Cup at the Vélez stadium. After drawing 0-0, the victory was obtained in extra time with Walter Silvani's golden goal.

Almost a year later, River beat Boca 2-0 at La Bombonera. There Ortega scored his first official goal against xeneize and was cheered by the people. Six months later, the millionaire from Américo Gallego beat the riverside club 3-0 at La Bombonera. Orteguita was once again the Boquense executioner, scoring the second goal with a shot that surprised goalkeeper Navarro Montoya in advance.

In the first half of 1995 he scored his third consecutive goal against Boca, although it didn't help much. It was in the 4-2 fall at the Monumental.

Ortega returned to River in 2000. The first Superclásico in this second stage in River was 1-1 and another expulsion for the millionaire idol. Finally, on January 23, 2002, he ended a ten-game streak without winning against Boca.

On the sixth date of the Clausura 2002 Tournament Ariel Ortega broke it and was key to the 3-0 win against xeneize. Ortega emigrated again, and on his return in 2007 he scored his fourth official goal in superclassics, the goal was a penalty in the 2-0 draw for those then led by Passarella.

Summary

Clubs

As a player

Club	Country	Year
River Plate	Argentina	1991 - 1996
Valencia	SpainSpain	1997 - 1998
Sampdoria	ItalyItaly	1998 - 1999
Parma		1999 - 2000
River Plate	Argentina	2000 - 2002
Fenerbahçe	TurkeyTurkey	2002 - 2003
Newell's Old Boys	Argentina	2004 - 2006
River Plate		2006 - 2008
Independent Rivadavia (loan)		2008 - 2009
River Plate		2009 - 2010
All Boys (loan)		2011
Advocates of Belgrano (loan)		2011 - 2012

National team

Debut and first steps

As for the National Team, Ortega made his debut in 1993, in a match against Germany in Miami. From then on he was a regular player for the albiceleste, participating in three FIFA world championships. In 1994, the possibility was rumored that the then coach of the national team, Alfio Basile, would summon him to play in the 1994 Soccer World Cup, a competition in which he would finally join the Argentine team.

Football World Cup 1994

Confirming the rumors, Ariel Ortega was summoned by Alfio Basile to play in the 1994 Soccer World Cup, which was held in the United States and which would be the first in which he would participate representing Argentina, at the age of 20.

He was assigned the number 17 shirt and was a substitute in the Argentine team that faced the World Cup. The Argentine team had established players such as Claudio Caniggia, Gabriel Batistuta, Abel Balbo and the greatest idol of the Argentine people Diego Armando Maradona, who was the captain of the Albiceleste team.

The albiceleste team started the World Cup on the right foot, beating the Greek team 4-0. The third goal stands out, the product of a collective play that ended with the definition of Diego Maradona. Ortega entered this match in the 83rd minute.

The second game was also positive for this team, a 2-1 victory against Nigeria, with two goals from Caniggia, leaving Argentina one step away from qualifying for the round of 16.

The third and last match of the group stage was against the Bulgarian team, a match in which Argentina was defeated 0-2, although it still qualified as one of the best third-placed teams. Ortega came on for Caniggia, who was injured in the 26th minute.

El Burrito was the one who took charge of substituting Maradona in the match with the Romanian national team for the Round of 16. Ortega had a great performance in that match, however, the Argentine team was defeated by the Romanian team 3 goals to 2 and was eliminated from the World Cup.

Settlement

When Daniel Passarella, one of his soccer guides, took over the national team, he confirmed him as Maradona's replacement in the "10" jersey. Then he lived moments of splendor, with outstanding performances that led him to be acclaimed by the Argentine people. He became the undisputed starter and the greatest exponent of Argentine soccer. Ortega was the team's soccer leader along with Juan Sebastián Verón and the team was preparing for the 1998 Soccer World Cup.

1995 Pan American Games

The 1995 Pan American Games were going to be held in Mar del Plata, Argentina and Ortega was one of those selected by Daniel Passarella to represent the Argentine Soccer Team. The "Burrito" He had excellent performances as well as the team in general, which led them to become champions of the Pan American Games, obtaining the Gold Medal.

FIFA Confederations Cup 1995

Ortega playing against Chile in 1994.

Ortega was summoned by Daniel Passarella to play the 1995 King Fahd Cup (FIFA Confederations). The Argentine team debuted in the group stage against Japan, winning 5-1, a game in which Burrito scored a goal. The second and last game in this instance was against Nigeria, drawing 0-0. The final was between Argentina and Denmark, and the match ended in a 2-0 defeat for the Albiceleste, with goals from Michael Laudrup from a penalty and Rassmusen. Argentina was the runner-up in the 1995 FIFA Confederations Cup.

1996 Olympic Games

Ariel Ortega continued with great performances in the national team in the era that passed after the 1994 World Cup and that had Passarella as coach. It is then that he is summoned to play the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, with a great participation in them, forming a luxury forward with Hernán Crespo and Claudio López.

That was a great team that had Ortega as the offensive leader and managed to reach the final stage. However, that team lost the final against Nigeria and Burrito got the Silver Medal with the Argentine team. Ortega, in this contest, scored two goals.

1998 Soccer World Cup

Ortega was an undisputed starter in the 1998 World Cup Qualifiers in France and had great performances like the entire Argentine team. Then came the time for the 1998 World Cup in France, a competition in which Argentina arrived with a great squad and with Ortega as the top figure, using the mythical number "10" which was already his since 1995.

The selected team debuted in the World Cup competition in a match against Japan, in a very complicated match that ended with Argentina winning 1-0 with a goal by Gabriel Batistuta. Ortega in this match assisted the "Batigol" on the winning goal and had a very good performance.

The second game of the group stage was against Jamaica, and ended 5-0 in favor of Argentina. In this match, Ortega scored two memorable goals and assisted Gabriel Batistuta for one of his goals.

The third match was against the Croatian team, which would later finish third in the tournament. In this match, Argentina managed to win 1-0 with a goal by Héctor Mauricio Pineda, who was assisted by Ortega.

Argentina finished the group stage first with 3 wins and a total of 9 points.

The round of 16 game was against England. Ortega was once again the figure of the field and had an extraordinary match. However, the Albiceleste team had to define on penalties before going on to the Quarterfinals, after drawing 2-2, with goals from Michael Owen and Alan Shearer (from a penalty) for the English and from Gabriel Batistuta (from a penalty) and Javier Zanetti for Argentina.

For the quarterfinals, Argentina had to face the Netherlands. It was a very even and fought match. Patrick Kluivert put the Netherlands in front and Argentina managed to equalize thanks to a goal from Claudio López. The Netherlands had been left with 10 as Arthur Numan had been sent off. In a play, at first confused, Ortega faced a Dutch defender and fell in the area towards the end of the match, the immediate television replay showed that he faked the foul by letting himself fall; according to the same Argentine chroniclers, & # 34; -he throws himself, very clearly, he throws himself, as he always throws himself-& # 34;. The judge, wisely, did not grant the fault. Ortega was rebuked by the goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar, for which he got up angrily from the floor and headbutted the Dutch goalkeeper, which earned him the expulsion, described as great "irresponsibility de Ortega" by Fernando Niembro, among other Argentine chroniclers of the time. Both teams were left with ten and in one of the last plays of the game, Dennis Bergkamp scored the final 2-1 and the Netherlands won the pass to the World Cup Semifinals. Years later, Ortega himself would admit “If they didn't expel me, we had a good chance of winning. With one more man, in today's football, we had a lot of chances”, and also Van der Sar's attitude: “It's the mischief of football; he was more alive than me”.

Ortega closed his second World Cup with 3 assists served and 2 goals converted, and having a superlative level that made him one of the greatest figures in this competition.

1999 America's Cup

He was summoned to play the tournament played by all the teams on the American continent. Argentina debuted against Ecuador with a 3-1 victory. Then in the second match of the group stage against the Colombian team, Argentina fell 0-3 with Martín Palermo incredibly missing 3 penalties in that match. The last match for the group stage was against Uruguay, obtaining a 2-0 victory, qualifying for the Quarterfinals. Argentina was the rival of Brazil, which would later be the champion of the competition, and was defeated by 2 goals against 1, being eliminated, this being the only game played by the "10" since he had to serve 3 dates of suspension due to the expulsion suffered against the Dutch national team in the 1998 World Cup in France. During the group stage, El Burrito was replaced by the youthful Juan Román Riquelme with the number 22 number. Several years later, Riquelme was going to keep the 10 when Ortega stopped integrating the Argentine team.

2002 Soccer World Cup

Ortega was a regular member of the team led by Marcelo Bielsa and achieved the historic first position in the Qualifiers with it.

It was time for a new Soccer World Cup to be played, and Ortega, how could it be otherwise, was summoned to participate in his third consecutive World Cup.

Ortega, wearing the number "10" of the national team, he played his last World Cup participation in the 2002 South Korea-Japan Cup, after playing very well in his second stage in the millionaire team. The Argentine team, one of the great favourites, was left out in the first round.

The albiceleste team made their debut against Nigeria, winning 1-0 with a goal by Gabriel Batistuta, with a header, after a corner kick by Juan Sebastián Verón.

The second game was against England, being defeated 1-0, after a penalty goal by midfielder David Beckham at minute '44.

And the third and last game was against Sweden, where Argentina drew 1-1 but was not enough to qualify for the next round, being eliminated. The goal for the Swedes was converted by Anders Svensson from a free kick, and the goal for the Argentines was scored by the center forward Hernán Crespo.

Ortega's most important intervention in this World Cup was getting a penalty taken at minute '88 for the Argentine team in their last game against Sweden, after a dribble that he himself made in the rival area. He himself executed the penalty and the Swedish goalkeeper saved it, but Crespo scored for Argentina on the rebound.

Ortega continued to be regularly called up by Marcelo Bielsa, but in 2003, after failing to fulfill his contract with a Turkish club, he was suspended and from then on he did not join the national team again, although at various times the people and the The press considered that he should do so, as in his years at Newell's or in his third cycle at River Plate.

Return and farewell

Ortega was summoned by Diego Maradona to once again wear the albiceleste jersey in the friendly against Haiti on May 5, 2010 at the Club Alianza Stadium, Neuquén. "Diego (Maradona) called me to the National Team because I am having a good time, not because he calls me Ariel Ortega. I will be eternally grateful to him for calling me for this game, I am very happy", said the River player.

Finally, River's idol wore the emblematic number 10 on the shirt and the captain's armband against the weak rival, who finished with a resounding 4-0. With some dribbling and always predisposed to build Argentine attacks with his particular style, the man from Jujuy was the target of standing ovations on the Neuquén night, as well as the love of Diego Maradona, coach of the team at the time, who gave him gave a big hug when he came off in the 59th minute.

This game is considered by many as his well-deserved farewell to the Argentine Soccer Team, after having had a very important career and with very good performances with the albiceleste shirt, wearing the emblematic number 10 on his back for many years.

Participations in international tournaments

Tournament	Headquarters	Outcome	Parties	Part. holder	Goles
1994 World Cup	United States	Final Octavos	3	1	0
FIFA Confederations Cup 1995	Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia	Subfield	3	3	1
1995 Pan American Games	Argentina	Gold Medal	6	6	2
Copa America 1995	Uruguay Uruguay	Final rooms	4	2	0
South American Preolympic 1996	Argentina	Subfield	6	5	1
Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games	United States	Silver Medal	6	6	2
1998 World Cup	France	Final rooms	5	5	2
Copa America 1999	Paraguay Paraguay	Final rooms	1	1	0
2002 World Cup	South Korea and JapanJapan	Group phase	3	3	0

Goals

International goals
Argentina Absolute
#	Date	Place	Rival	Partial result	Final outcome	Competition
1.	27 December 1994	Estadio Antonio V. Liberti, Buenos Aires, Argentina	YUGYugoslavia	1-	1–0	Friendly
2.	8 January 1995	King Fahd Stadium, Riad, Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia	JPNJapan	2-	5-1	Copa Rey Fahd 1995
3.	20 September 1995	Vicente Calderón Stadium, Madrid, SpainSpain	ESPSpain	1-2	1–2	Friendly
4.	24 April 1996	Estadio Antonio V. Liberti, Buenos Aires, Argentina	BoliviaBolivia	1-	3-1	Classification to the World Cup 1998
5.				2-
6.	9 October 1996	Polideportivo de Pueblo Nuevo, San Cristobal, Venezuela Venezuela	VENVenezuela	1-1	5-2	Classification to the World Cup 1998
7.	30 April 1997	Estadio Antonio V. Liberti, Buenos Aires, Argentina	ECUEcuador	1-	2-1	Classification to the World Cup 1998
8.	22 April 1998	Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Ireland	IRLIreland	2-	2–0	Friendly
9.	14 May 1998	Olympic Stadium of Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina	BIHBosnia and Herzegovina	4-	5-0	Friendly
10.	25 May 1998	Estadio Antonio V. Liberti, Buenos Aires, Argentina	RSASouth Africa	2-	2–0	Friendly
11.	21 June 1998	Parc des Princes, Paris, France	Jamaica	1-	5-0	1998 Football World Cup
12.				2-
13.	7 September 1999	Beira-Rio Stadium, Porto Alegre, BrazilBrazil	BRABrazil	2-4	2-4	Friendly
14.	13 October 1999	Estadio José María Minella, La Plata, Argentina	COLColombia	2-1	2-1	Friendly
15.	26 April 2000	Estadio José E. Romero, Maracaibo, Venezuela Venezuela	Venezuela Venezuela	2-	4–0	Classification to the World Cup 2002
16.				3-
17.	15 November 2000	National Stadium, Santiago, ChileChile	CHIChile	1-	2–0	Classification to the World Cup 2002
Argentina
#	Date	Place	Rival	Partial result	Final outcome	Competition
1.	12 March 1995	Estadio José María Minella, Mar del Plata, Argentina	USAUnited States	3-	3–0	Pan American Games 1995
2.	16 March 1995	Estadio José María Minella, Mar del Plata, Argentina	PARParaguay	1-	1–0	Pan American Games 1995
3.	18 February 1996	Estadio José María Minella, Mar del Plata, Argentina	ECUEcuador	5-	6–0	South American Preolympic 1996
4.	22 July 1996	RFK Memorial Stadium, Washington, United States	BYPortugal	1-	1-1	Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games
5.	24 July 1996	Legion Field, Alabama, United States	TUNTunisia	1-	1-1	Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games

Style of Play

A highly creative player with excellent technical ability, Ortega emerged as a promising youngster due to his dribbling, change of pace, mobility and punch from set pieces, as well as his tricks on the ball, deft body fakes and finishing shots. Vaseline. After his explosion with Ramón Díaz in the mid-90s, he came to be considered in his prime as one of the best dribblers in the world. He mainly worked as a striker, being an effective playmaker due to his vision and passing ability, although he also came to play as a second striker or a winger on the right, the latter being especially with the Argentine team led by Marcelo Bielsa.. To compensate for his small physical size against large rival defenses, Ortega had a great ability to make sudden changes of pace with the ball, being able to make several high-speed hits to safarze.

Despite his abilities, however, Ortega was infamously temperamental and was criticized throughout his career for not living up to his potential, due to his constant physical changes, indiscipline in training, and controversial abuse. of alcohol, especially in his last years with River. Even so, in public opinion, Ortega is one of the most loved and respected players in Argentine soccer, due to his loyalty to River Plate, his respect for his rivals and his good attitudes with their peers.

Statistics

As a player

Club	Div	Season	League			Cups national(1)			Tournaments international(2)			Total			Media Shotgun(3)
			Part.	Goles	Assist.	Part.	Goles	Assist.	Part.	Goles	Assist.	Part.	Goles	Assist.
River Plate Argentina
1. a	1991-92	14	1	3	-			-			14	1	3	0.07
	1992-93	27	5	8	-			7	1	1	34	6	9	0.18
	1993-94	29	5	7	7	3	2	4	0	0	40	8	9	0.18
	1994-95	25	7	5	-			8	1	2	33	8	7	0.24
	1995-96	23	7	9	-			22	3	2	45	10	11	0.22
	1996	16	6	10	-			3	0	0	19	6	10	32
	2000-01	27	9	10	-			12	3	3	39	12	13	0.31
	2001-02	29	14	17	-			10	2	4	39	16	21	0.41
	2006-07	18	4	5	-			3	0	0	21	4	5	0.19
	2007-08	26	4	11	-			9	2	1	35	6	12	0.17
	2009-10	22	3	5	-			2	0	0	24	3	5	0.13
	2010	16	1	3	-			-			16	1	3	0.06
Total club		272	66	93	7	3	2	80	12	13	361	80	108	0.22
Valencia CF SpainSpain
	1. a	1997	12	7	3	-			-			12	7	3	0,58
		1997-98	20	2	7	3	0	1	-			23	2	8	0.09
	Total club		32	9	10	3	0	1	0	0	0	35	9	11	0.26
UC Sampdoria ItalyItaly	1. a	1998-99	27	8	7	4	1	2	-			31	9	9	0.29
	Total club		27	8	7	4	1	2	0	0	0	31	9	9	0.29
Parma AC ItalyItaly	1. a	1999-00	18	3	3	2	0	0	7	0	3	27	3	6	0.11
	Total club		18	3	3	2	0	0	7	0	3	27	3	6	0.11
Fenerbahçe SK TurkeyTurkey	1. a	2002-03	14	5	7	-			6	0	2	20	5	9	0.25
	Total club		14	5	7	0	0	0	6	0	2	20	5	9	0.25
Newell's Old Boys Argentina	1. a	2004-05	24	5	7	-			-			24	5	7	0.21
		2005-06	29	6	9	-			7	0	2	36	6	11	0.17
	Total club		53	11	16	0	0	0	7	0	2	60	11	18	0.18
Independent Rivadavia Argentina	2. a	2008-09	25	4	3	-			-			25	4	3	0.16
	Total club		25	4	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	25	4	3	0.16
CA All Boys Argentina	1. a	2011	12	0	2	-			-			12	0	2	0.00
	Total club		12	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	12	0	2	0.00
Advocates of Belgrano Argentina	3. a	2011-12	27	4	5	1	0	0	-			28	4	5	0.14
	Total club		27	4	5	1	0	0	0	0	0	28	4	5	0.14
Total in your career			480	109	146	17	4	5	100	12	20	597	126	171	0.21
(1) The national cups refer to the Centenary Cup of the AFA (1993-94); Copa del Rey (1997-98); Copa Italia (1998-00); Supercopa de Italia (1999-00) and Copa Argentina (2011-12). (2) The international cups refer to the Champions League (1999-03); Europa League (1999-03); Intercontinental Cup (1996); Freedom Cup (1991-08); South American Cup (2005-10); Mercosur Cup (2000-01) and South American Super Cup (1991-96). (3) Half of goals per encounter. Does not include goals in friendly matches

Selections

Selection	Year	Friendly			South America(1)			World(2)			Total			Average score
		Part.	Goles	Assist.	Part.	Goles	Assist.	Part.	Goles	Assist.	Part.	Goles	Assist.
Sub-22 Argentina	1995	-			6	2	0	-			6	2	0	0.33
	Total	0	0	0	6	2	0	0	0	0	6	2	0	0.33
Sub-23 and Olympic Argentina	1996	-			6	1	3	6	2	2	12	3	5	0.25
	Total	0	0	0	6	1	3	6	2	2	12	3	5	0.25
Adult Argentina	1993	1	0	0	-			-			1	0	0	0.00
	1994	6	1	3	-			3	0	0	9	1	3	0.11
	1995	9	1	2	4	0	2	3	1	0	16	2	4	0.13
	1996	1	0	0	6	3	1	-			7	3	1	0.43
	1997	-			9	1	5	-			9	1	5	0.11
	1998	8	3	2	-			5	2	3	13	5	5	0.38
	1999	6	2	1	1	0	0	-			7	2	1	0.28
	2000	2	0	0	9	3	2	-			11	3	2	0.27
	2001	-			7	0	2	-			7	0	2	0.00
	2002	1	0	2	-			3	0	0	4	0	2	0.00
	2003	1	0	0	-			-			1	0	0	0.00
	2004	-			-			-			0	0	0	0.00
	2005	-			-			-			0	0	0	0.00
	2006	-			-			-			0	0	0	0.00
	2007	-			-			-			0	0	0	0.00
	2008	-			-			-			0	0	0	0.00
	2009	-			-			-			0	0	0	0.00
	2010	1	0	0	-			-			1	0	0	0.00
	Total	36	7	10	36	7	12	14	3	3	86	17	25	0.20
Total career		36	7	10	48	10	15	20	5	5	104	22	30	0.22
(1) Includes Copa América (1995-99) and Clasificatorias Sudamericanas (1996-01). In the case of the Olympic Selection, it includes data from the Pan American Games (1995) and South American Preolympics (1996). (2) Includes Soccer World Cup (1994-02) and FIFA Confederations Cup (1995). In case of Olympic selection, it includes data from the Olympic Games (1996)

Statistical summary

Honours of Prizes

National Championships

Title	Club	City	Year
Opening Tour	River Plate	Buenos Aires	1991
Opening Tour		Buenos Aires	1993
Opening Tour		Buenos Aires	1994
Opening Tour		Buenos Aires	1996
Supercopa de Italia	Parma AC	Milan	1999
Closing Tour	River Plate	Buenos Aires	2002
Opening Tour	Newell's Old Boys	Rosario	2004
Closing Tour	River Plate	Buenos Aires	2008

International Titles

Title	Club*	City	Year
Pan American Games	Argentina sub-22	Mar del Plata	1995
Olympic Games	Argentina sub-23	Atlanta	1996
Copa Libertadores	River Plate	Buenos Aires	1996

(*) Including Selection

Individual awards

Filmography

• Reporting Movistar+ (18/04/2016), «Fiebre Maldini: 'Ariel Ortega'» (breakable link available on the Internet Archive; see history, first version and last). en Plus.es
• He was interviewed for the premiered documentary film in 2019 River, the biggest ever that narrates the history of the club.