Valencia’s Córdoba connection, from Kempes and Piojo López to a new duo | OneFootball

Valencia have underlined their Córdoba link as Lucas Beltrán and Renzo Saravia, both from the province, become the latest of nine Argentines from there to wear the shirt.

According to AS, the club flagged the bond with a “Conexión Córdoba” post on X. Saravia was born in Villa de María and Beltrán in the provincial capital, each keeping strong ties to their homeland.

They follow Enzo Barrenechea of Villa María, who left last summer after impressing, Pablo Piatti of Ucacha, a regular from 2011 to 2017, and Luciano Vietto of Balneario, who had a six month loan from Atlético.

The lineage is headlined by Mario Alberto Kempes, born in Bell Ville and signed in 1976 from Rosario Central. As a Valencia player he won two Pichichis and a Golden Boot, became World Cup winner, best player and top scorer in 1978, and lifted the 1979 Copa del Rey, 1980 Cup Winners’ Cup and 1981 European Super Cup.

Claudio Piojo López arrived in 1996 from Racing. He blossomed under Claudio Ranieri, struck twice in the 1998 Copa del Rey final, added the Supercopa de España soon after, led the 1999-00 run to the Champions League final, then moved to Lazio weeks later.

Mauricio Pellegrino joined in 1999 from Vélez Sarsfield, became a defensive pillar under Héctor Cúper then Rafael Benítez, but did not quite reach legend status. He played both 2000 and 2001 Champions League finals, won the 2002 league, helped the 2004 Double and 2004-05 UEFA Super Cup, then left for Liverpool after missing the deciding penalty in 2001.

Pablo Aimar, the Pibe Inmortal from Río Cuarto, signed in January 2001 from River Plate. He soon featured in the 2001 Champions League final and was central to the 2002 and 2004 league titles, the 2004 UEFA Cup and the 2004-05 UEFA Super Cup, before leaving for Real Zaragoza in 2006.

Source: AS