The Connection Between Valencia CF and River Plate

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Valencia CF and River Plate are two historic giants of world football. The bond between the two clubs has led to 15 players and coaches representing both clubs.

Valencia CF first faced Los Millonarios on August 26, 1978, in a preseason friendly. The game, played at the Estadio Ramón de Carranza, ended in a 2–2 draw, with goals for Valencia CF scored by Mario Kempes and Lobo Diarte. Six years later, Valencia CF met River Plate again in the 1984 Trofeo Naranja, held at Mestalla, and emerged victorious thanks to goals from Javier Subirats and Enrique Saura.

Photos: Emilio Viña

Some15 players and managers have been part of both clubs: Kempes, Roberto Ayala, Pablo Aimar, Alberto Di Stéfano, Fernando Cáceres, Claudio Caniggia, ‘Chori’ Domínguez, Fernando Morena, Lucas Orbán, Ariel Ortega, Enzo Pérez, Juan Antonio Pizzi, José Sánchez Lage, Kevin Sibille, and Bruno Zuculini.

Copyright 2013-2025 Valencia CF. The use of the editorial content of the article is permitted as long as the source gets the credit and contains the following link: www.valenciacf.com. Photographs by Lázaro de la Peña, reuse is not permitted.