About Vicente Rodríguez
Vicente Rodríguez Guillén (Spanish pronunciation: [biˈθente roˈðɾiɣeθ ɣiˈʎen]; 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 career, blighted by constant injuries, was mainly associated with Valencia with whom he appeared in 340 competitive matches over 11 seasons, winning five major titles including two La Liga championships. Vicente represented Spain in the first half of the 2000s, and played at Euro 2004. == Club career == === Levante === 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. === Valencia === Vicente joined 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 matches, adding 13 appearances in that 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 his progress coincided with the club's first league title in 31 years. While appearing in fewer games (31) he was already first-choice, and produced similar numbers the following campaign, his only goal coming in a 3–0 home win over Recreativo de Huelva. 2003–04 was Vicente's finest season as his efforts propelled the Che to their second league 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 being deployed in the right flank).
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.