Baraja and Marchena, a friendship forged at Mestalla

Rubén Baraja y Carlos Marchena are legends of Valencia CF and at the Camp de Mestalla they forged an unbreakable friendship. Together they lifted five titles - LaLiga 2001/02, LaLiga 2003/04, UEFA Cup 2004, European Super Cup 2004 and Copa del Rey 2008 - and in those early years of the 21st century they were part of the best Valencia CF in history.

Rubén Bajara and Carlos Marchena enjoyed and share great triumphs, but also knew how to take responsibility in difficult moments, such as that of 2007/08 season when they stepped forward to save the team from relegation in a turbulent season.

Now they are back to take a step forward, but from the bench, to help Valencia CF and save this difficult situation in the table standings. They both arrived at the turn of the century. Baraja in 2000 and Carlos Marchena a season later, being an essential part of that Valencia CF champion. They both said goodbye together a decade later, in May 2010, in a match at Mestalla against CD Tenerife, which was the occasion for the fans to pay an emotional tribute to Baraja.

In that match, 'Pipo' was carried out on the shoulders of his teammates. Baraja would never play football again. "I couldn't wear another shirt after what I experienced at Mestalla," he said at the time.

His last photo would be with the Valencia CF shirt, with the bat on his chest. And it would be Marchena himself who placed the armband on Baraja to make the photo complete. A gesture that also symbolizes the special bond that united them on the pitch and that now will do so on the bench.