Last update 13 September, 2024 by Alberto Llopis
Ariel El Burrito Ortega was always a different player. Argentina, It has always been a prolific land for producing great and not so great soccer players who left for Europe in search of a better fortune..
However, not all manage to reach the old continent the impact and the level they have in their country. That could be the case Ariel El Burrito Ortega, a different player, de otra pasta cuyo paso por Europa fue del todo discreto pero que hizo diabluras con la camiseta de River.
A fleeting step through the Spanish League with the Valencia shirt
International for Argentina, He played three World Cups and finished second in the Olympic Games in Atlanta 96. Controversial and problematic, Ariel, probó suerte en España a finales de los ’90 pero no tuvo mucha suerte. Born a 4 March 1974, Ortega played in several World Cups with Argentina debuting at the USA 1994 con 20 years and replacing nothing more and nothing less than Diego Armando Maradona saying goodbye to that appointment by the back door for his doping scandal.
In the Spanish League, we remember his fleeting passage by Valencia in 1997 who he signed for the not inconsiderable amount of 1300 million old pesetas. He never came to fruition at the Mestalla and not football fans Caló between Valencia, at least not enough so it had cost his transfer. He was also in the Italian Serie A Sampdoria wearing jersey and Parma. In Argentina however he played in Newell, All Boys, Defensores de Belgrano in three different stages in River Plate.
Burrito Ortega eternal idol of River Plate
Nicknamed the “Burrito” they say in honor of his father, nicknamed the “Burro” while he is playing football, his strong character and his alcohol addiction caused him serious problems on and off the field. While at the Turkish Fenerbahçe IOL big returning to Argentina unfinished contract. He was denounced and sanctioned by FIFA 4 months for such action.
Master of the “dribbling” as they say Argentine territory, It was one of those players who brought something different, one of those who brought something new every time we contacted Ball. With the 10 by River, He left great moments especially in the first stage in 90.
El Burrito Ortega se retiró en 2012
He retired in 2012, ya en completo ocaso entre situaciones raras como desapariciones sin motivo debido a sus adicciones al alcohol pero su fútbol, will remain in the memory of many, sobre todo para los hinchas del Monumental.
In the end, he “Burrito”, se retiró del fútbol con 409 parties, of which 273 fueron en River donde marcó 66 goals. “One thing that remains of football is the privilege of having shared a field with Diego (Maradona), (the Uruguayan) Enzo (Francescoli) y (the brazilian) Romario. Are things that football gave me”, he highlighted.