Player profile: Pablo Aimar

Full name: Pablo Cesar Aimar
Position: Midfielder
Date of Birth: 3 November 1979
Birthplace: Rio Cuarto, Argentina

Nicknames are earned based on certain traits or characteristics. What to make, therefore, of a footballer whose dichotomous monikers include El Mago (the magician) and El Payaso (the clown)?

Heralded early in his career as the next Maradona, Pablo Aimar possesses superb technique (Mago), but looks somewhat comical with his bushy mane combined with a birthmark on his left cheek (Payaso). In purely footballing terms Aimar has fully merited the former, having collected pretty much every trophy there is to win on two continents.

Having been accepted into medical school, Aimar decided to turn his back on medicine and pursue a career in football. River Plate were grateful for that decision. After joining the club as a 17-year-old in 1996/97, the Argentine rocketed to fame in a four-year period in which he helped River Plate win three Apertura titles (96, 97, 99), two Clausura titles (97, 2000) and one South American Cup (97). Aimar was voted Argentine Footballer of the Year in 2000.

Having won all competitions going in his home country, the then 21-year-old felt a new challenge was needed and there were plenty of suitors fighting for the new Maradona. Valencia won the Aimar sweepstakes, paying a whopping 22m euros for the player in 2000.

Historic La Liga title

After one year finding his feet, new coach Rafa Benetiz made sweeping changes to the club and made Aimar one of his main protagonists. In the 2001/02 season Valencia won the La Liga title, something they hadn’t done since the 1970/71 season, with Aimar playing a big part by making 33 appearances, scoring four goals.

The 2003/04 season would be Aimar’s best at Valencia as the club racked up a total of three trophies by collecting another La Liga crown, the Uefa Cup and the Uefa Super Cup, downing Portugal’s FC Porto 2-1.

Two turbulent years followed as the club swapped coaches twice and Aimar was sold to La Liga rivals Real Zaragoza. His two-year spell at Los Blanquillos was largely disappointing and after having spent 8 years in Spain, Pablo Aimar decided to make the move to neighbouring Portugal, signing a four-year deal with Benfica after a drawn-out transfer saga.

“It’s a great joy. Benfica came to get me. I know the coach and the rest of the staff. I cannot wait to play, enjoy, help, and if possible, win titles. They are one of the biggest clubs in the world,” said the Argentine upon completing the deal. Aimar was handed the club’s illustrious number 10 jersey and is seen as the heir to the retired Benfica great, Rui Costa.

International Career

Pablo Aimar has represented Argentina over 50 times, scoring 8 goals, playing in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, the 2005 Confederations Cup and the 2007 Copa America. His impressive haul of silverware at club level has not been mirrored in the international arena, however, with the Argentine yet to win a trophy with his country.

by Marco Pereira (15/09/08)