On A Day Like Today: Valencia CF are crowned 2001/02 LaLiga champions

On May 5th, 2002, Valencia CF became LaLiga champions for the first time in the 21st Century. It was a high point of one of the most glorious moments in club history, and some 3,000 travelling fans were in attendance at La Rosaleda in Malaga for the game that sealed the league win.

Rafa Benitez’ side won the club’s fifth league crown -after a 31 year drought- thank to goals from Roberto Ayala and Fabio Aurelio. Raucous celebrations followed, with iconic images abounding of the players on the pitch at the Andalusian ground.

A magical season had begun with an opening day victory over Real Madrid, and triggered a rollercoaster of emotions before the eventual title win. An heroic comeback at Montjuic against RCD Espanyol, a final push with eight games remaining, the battle against a star-studded Madrid side who took them to the limit… The team overcame every obstacle in their path to emerge victorious.

Valencia CF and the fanbase showed their greatness in 2002, bouncing back from the Champions League final loss to Bayern Munich in Milan. Two continental cup finals and a Copa del Rey win in 1999 showed that they were on the brink of something special, and with the breakout of players like Pablo Aimar, Rubén Baraja, Curro Torres, Mista, Rufete and Gonzalo de los Santos, 2001/2002 was the year that it all came together in LaLiga.