Ariel Ortega

El Burrito: River Plate's dribbling wizard and Argentine enganche.

Arnaldo Ariel Ortega (born 4 March 1974) is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. His nickname is "El Burrito" (The Little Donkey), thus he is called Burrito Ortega. After his breakthrough alongside coach Ramón Díaz in the mid-90s, he came to be considered at his peak as one of the best dribblers in the world, to the point that he is the fourth player in World Cup history with more successful dribbles in a single World Cup according to FIFA.

Quick Facts

Full name: Arnaldo Ariel Ortega
Born: 4 March 1974
Birthplace: Ledesma, Jujuy, Argentina
Position: Attacking midfielder, forward

Lore & Background

Ortega began his career with River Plate and played most of his career there during four separate spells between 1991 and 1996, 2000–02, 2006–08 and 2009–11. With the team, he played 359 competitive matches, scored 81 goals, and won several trophies, including the 1996 Copa Libertadores. In Europe, Ortega played for Valencia in Spain, Parma and Sampdoria in Italy, and Fenerbahçe in Turkey. He also had a two-year period with Newell's Old Boys, as well as three short loans from River Plate at other Argentinian teams towards the end of his career. He retired from professional football in 2012.

Reader's Guide

On his first game back in River Plate, 25 July 2009, he scored an outstanding chip shot goal to give River a 1–0 victory over Everton of England in Edmonton, Canada during the pre-season. In the 2009 Apertura, Ortega scored a wonder lobbed goal against Chacarita Juniors to give River Plate a 4–3 victory. Later in the tournament, he scored a last minute equalizer against Estudiantes.

Did You Know?

He won the silver medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics with Argentina.
Ortega was sent off for head-butting Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar in the 1998 World Cup quarter-final.
He missed a penalty in the 2002 World Cup against Sweden, which was then followed up and converted by Hernan Crespo.