Vicente Rodríguez  Vicente Rodríguez Guillén (; born 16 July 1981), known simply as Vicente, nicknamed "El puñal de Benicalap" ("The dagger of Benicalap"), is a Spanish former professional footballer. A left winger with outstanding technique, pace and scoring ability, his professional career, blighted by constant injuries, was mainly associated with Valencia with which he appeared in 340 competitive matches over 11 seasons, winning five major titles including two La Liga championships. Vicente represented Spain during the first half of the 2000s, and played at Euro 2004. A Valencia CF supporter since childhood, Valencia-born Vicente started his professional career in the community with Segunda División side Levante UD, making his professional debut on 23 November 1997 against CD Leganés aged only 16. He immediately attracted attention of leading teams like Arsenal, Valencia CF and Real Madrid but, eventually, Valencia (and its sporting director Javier Subirats) convinced the youngster to sign for the club. After two full seasons at Levante, Vicente signed for Valencia in the summer of 2000. Initially, his favoured position of left winger was occupied by Argentine Kily González but, despite serious contention for a first-team place, he still managed to net five goals in 33 La Liga games, adding 13 appearances in the season's UEFA Champions League although he was left on the bench for the final against FC Bayern Munich. The arrival of Rafael Benítez as coach in 2001–02 would mark Vicente's opportunity to prove himself, and he did not disappoint as his progress led to the club's first league title in over 30 years. While appearing in fewer games (31, with one goal) he was already first-choice, and produced similar numbers in the following campaign, netting his only goal in a 3–0 home win over Recreativo de Huelva.  2003–04 was Vicente's finest season with the club as his energetic efforts propelled the "Che" to their second league title under Benítez, adding two goals in seven matches in the team's victorious run in the UEFA Cup, including one in the final where he also assisted Mista in the second (the pair combined for 30 league goals, 12 from Vicente, a career-best, with Francisco Rufete pitching in from the right flank). After a productive year, Vicente was linked with a host of important clubs, but turned down any eventual move and signed a further four-year extension, stating: "I'm happy to remain at Valencia because I was born here and it's my home."