'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
#3 Roberto Ayala - Napoli to AC Milan
WHEN? – July 1998
WHAT HAPPENED? – Former Argentina defender Roberto Ayala had a long career in European football and it all started for him in 1995 when he arrived at Napoli. Playing for the Partenopei for three years, Ayala soon became one of Europe’s best central defenders. But despite his good performances, his Napoli team was a mess. It was a slump that started right after Diego Maradona left in 1991.
With the passage of time, Napoli continued to regress despite the occasional Cup runs. Meanwhile, Ayala continued to impress and catch the eye of some of Europe’s top teams. In 1998, Napoli were finally relegated to Serie B after finishing bottom of the table, recording only two wins all season. As the club went down, Ayala jumped to AC Milan.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? – Napoli experienced a turbulent decade thereafter, shifting between different divisions, culminating in bankruptcy in 2004. However, after being refounded, the club has gradually returned to the upper echelons of Italian football. they even won the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa Italiana trophies.
Ayala spent two years at Milan after which he left for Valencia. In a seven-season long stint, Ayala became a fan favourite; winning La Liga and the UEFA Cup while also reaching the Champions League final. He then went on to play for Real Zaragoza and Racing Club before retiring in 2011.
